Prevention is better than the cure
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Well-planned maintenance of any equipment is essential for long-term reliability and efficiency . Following the routine servicing carefully detailed in the operator ’ s manual may seem obvious , but this is crucial to preventing potential downtime caused by avoidable issues . This is especially important for equipment , such as reciprocating compressors , that form a vital part of multi-million dollar marine gas transport vessels and need to operate reliably round-the-clock .
Anthony Cornes , Key Account Manager – Marine Service Solutions at Burckhardt Compression looks at the importance of following the correct maintenance procedures .
Like most large pieces of equipment , each compressor is specifically designed for a particular application . Using the most appropriate materials and components , which are tailored to the individual application , each build is unique . To reflect this , the installation and operation manuals will often have information that is exclusive to a particular machine .
EXPERT ADVICE
Reciprocating compressors are similar in principle to internal combustion engines and share concepts in lubrication , cooling and reciprocating pistons . The precision engineering of the design affords excellent reliability , which is supported by regular inspections and maintenance , as detailed by the OEM .
Each aspect of operation is carefully explained with cautionary notes about the consequences of poor maintenance to emphasize the importance of following procedures and using the right materials and components . For the lubrication systems , this is relatively obvious since all the moving parts rely on the correct specification of oil to perform reliably . The associated heaters and filtration systems need to be checked regularly to ensure a long service life .
The coolant system for a gas compressor is similar to that of a car or truck , in that it requires glycol to be added to the coolant water . This not only increases the boiling point of the coolant , but it also provides anti-corrosive properties to protect the internal galleries of the compressor and the heat exchanger .
Glycol is used in marine applications , not because of the probable low ambient temperature , but due to the low suction temperature of the gas , which is related to the type of gas and its composition . In a land-based application , the compressor may be exposed to much lower temperatures and if it is stationary without antifreeze , the cylinder blocks could crack if the coolant froze as a consequence of incorrect maintenance .
MINI CASE STUDY : CHECK-LIST CAUTION
As part of the delivery of a new LNG vessel , all the equipment and systems are checked and commissioned prior to hand-over to the customer . This should involve a series of checklists and actions to ensure that everything is ready for the first day of full operation . The consequences of making assumptions or not following this system are highlighted in a recent example .
As part of a new build , Burckhardt Compression had delivered two boil-