However, after about five minutes under these conditions, the vibration levels bol he governor end and exhaust end bearings ofthe bine began to increase rapidly, etching a asin of 0.773 in Jee on the governor end bearing and 0914 in econ the exhaust end baring. The uit was shut dowe immediatly. The predominant vibration frequency was at operating speed ‘with minor harmonics at two and the tines operating speed. igure 2 and Figure 3 show the vibration spect forthe exhaust end and governor end respectively. da Figure 2. Exhaust ind Rearing Vibration igure 3. Governor End Bearing Vibration. was also observed thatthe vieation was higher in the vertical direction on the governor end bearing 0.773, in see compared to 0.386 in ue inthe horizon “ction. The values were revered on the exhaust ead ‘earng, 0.914 in/sse horizontal compared to 0:302 Ine inthe vertical direction. These observations ‘suggested tha a pre-load condition existed onthe urine ‘at he time ofthe high vibration, The vibration in the xia dreston was relatively low, maximum 0.187 inJsc, as was that on the pup, maximom 0.16 in Jes. [igure shows the vibration spectra throughout the ‘urbino tthe te of highest vibration, The use ofthis ‘den increas in ibraton was thought tthe tne to ‘result fom either one oa combination of resonance, snbalanee, bent o bosed sf, misalignment, coupling elated problems. Figure 4 Vibration Aeros the Tarbine. ‘The caus ofthe high vibration levels was concern because to relible units are necessary for reasons of process and afty The unit was operated solo to verify say internal damage tha may have Been cabsed bythe igh vibration levels. Uncoupled Run “The unit was istrmented forthe colestion of bth ‘roces-elated and condition monitoring parameters; eg, vibration, bearing temperatures, exhaust ‘temperature. The uncoupled unit was carne by hand and as turing smoothly twas subsequently pat on ine in ‘the uncoupled state and inreased 0 fll peed ‘Tho maximum vibzation observed on the goveror end bearing was 0.05 in/se; the maximum onthe exhaust end bearing was 0.08 in/se, with a predominant ‘vibeaion corsponent at operating sped. These levels ‘wore acceptable. Give te fact tat all ther measured purameters wore scceptable, it was concided that 99 Aamage ad been inerted duc to the high vibration levels. twas also verified that the turbine rotor was properly balance. Exhaust Bellow During and after the uncoupled run, it was observed that the exhavst Bellow located at the tp of the turbine was twist lg, The level of compression observed w ot consistently 360° around the Bellows It was ostlated that, in his twisted an slightly deformed condition, an acceptable amount of piping stain was egatvely impacting the collinear alignment of he w Worms L201 Mach 2008that he exhaust bellow locate at the top ofthe arbine ‘vas vised sgl, The level of compression observed ‘The exhaust bellow was cat out and anew one Was ‘welded in place, Alignment was checked before and afer ‘oling to assere thatthe chang had no effect onthe fiat alignment. twas concluded thar the problem had teen solved by the change out of the expansion bellow ‘Tae unt was pot on fll load at normal operating sped towever, afer approximately tea mints, tbe vibration Tevet inceasd, fom 0.15 in/se 1 « maximum of 00 infec at the exhaust end bearing Figure S shows the bration spectra obtained “Tac wat was agin shutdown to peeven damage he bine Vibration levels onthe pump were fccepable, with a maximum 0.12 inde. The ‘characteristics ofthe vibration Were the same 8 those experienced during the previous vibration incident. Figure Vibration Spectrum Daring Secod Fuload Run, ‘eas evident hat something was causing the vibration onthe trie to crease dramatically with time at fll Toad and speed Alignment sndioe a coupling related problem were possible contribaing factors. However, the “lgnment was shown to be wll within olerance. The thermal growth offes provided bythe OEM were aken imo account daring the fina alignment. The offsets had rot been revised eve after the reat Tews decided to recheck thermal growth by ‘operating the uni in an uncoupled condition and measuring the growth using benchmark gauges Benchmark gauges provide simple and effective means of searing ho slgnment data for machinery trains by ‘accurately measuring the movement ofthe machines relative to the foundition tf. Extension gauges are ted fo obtain measremans during ambient shutdown tnd stable operating conditions at oo planes per ‘machin elm at acute angles berwea the foundation top and bearing housing, perpendicular to the shall axes ‘The ganges, inthe form of sinless tel tooling balls vere installed onthe Baring housings and atthe Tandon level. Fguce 6 shows toling Bll nstaed on the bearing housing, 6 Totng Wal aslo Trbine Bearing Housing. Col alignment data were taken sing te reverse iat indicator tecigue. At he same time an acceptable ‘ol ligne was obtained. The reference measurements with he bepchmarhing gauges Were ‘stablished and recoded at each location. Coupling dil Indicator readings and benchmark gauge readings were made simultaneously, thereby establishing a unique ‘eltionship between the two. Figure 7 shows dats being taken using benchmark: gauges, igure 7 ata Collection With Benchmark Te was found shat he governor end of he bin rem ‘erically by 0.052 ch andthe exaust en ofthe bine ‘ew by 0010 inch. The pump grew veclly 0.010 inch at the coupling en und 0.072 cha the outboard end. The svowth noted onthe tine goverpoe arb end ws sienifeanly more tba expected. OEM daa sagged & thermal growth offset of 0.010 inch maximo, They ‘comment hat his uit was unos n that he urine is Spore by fou estat were fly Boe to the bass. rons WL 29 No Mc 2008Similar machines have ether a wobble plate othe governor end fee ar Jose tallow fo casing expansion, ‘The exesive thamal growth was howpht wo be da to the rete conditions andor the influence ofthe stan inlet piping 1 the bine. To verify he data collet, the ‘ic wasrealignod taking these ets into costo, ‘The vec alignment was offset by te thal growth oft dotsmised by the benchmark gage mesarement Figure 8 shows the ina ef alignmeatposion Unit Startup ‘The unit was agin ready to be pt on ful oud at oe operating condions, with the ae nse thermal srowth fas. When paced fully on ine, the maximum ‘ibaton atthe governr end of te turbine was 0.09 ia ee nd 017 ine a the inboard en Signin however, was theft ht these leves i ot change wih tine. These Ievls were acepable tall once andro consistent over ime, Figure 9 sows spectra across the Imschne rin Hor daa taken with he benchmark gaoges showed tht ‘he turbine grow it alignment as amcpated. The governor nd was 0.043 inch ut colnet centring the inboard ed wa 0.002 inch out of collins centering. ‘igure, Vibration Species After Aligment Correction, Conclusion ‘Only dough exhausive investigative work was the cme of te problem identifies The suspected piping sain eased by ‘he stam inlet piping wil be investigated a comet a the seat studown, Many machines requie ofes when lige. They low the coupled machine element grow int aecepable alignment when stable operating conditions, spill temperatures, re cached. Fie to we caret offs for those machines can cause excessive operating mislignmest that rest in unacepable vibration Lye ta endanger the reibiity of the machine The problem in mest cases is not usualy a isang the ‘fst bu owing how uch ins and he destin in ‘whic nstalt Fetrbne he problem is mad me ‘complex by he influence ofthe connected piping, which an ‘aus growth in unexpected dietions and magitues. Vibration institute @ CORRESPONDENCE COURSES reparation for 180 Certification as Vibration Analyst lntroduction to Machinery Vibrations (Category 1) Basic Machinery Vibrations (Category I) ‘Machinery Vibration Analysis (Catogory I ‘4 Vibration math notes with example problems Workshops will be corrected and returned. CCortitlcate will be awarded upon completion of, Contact the Institute for details ‘telephone 630/654-2254 “ax 630/656-2271 ‘wo site: hitp://www.vibinst.org iran Vol No Mach 2008