Root Cause Failure Analysis

outhwest Research Institute (SwRI) engineers and scientists have

provided technical and consulting services for a variety of failure
events for more than 30 years. The Rotating Machinery Technologies
Group has extensive experience with turbines, compressors, pumps, wind
turbines, motors, etc. Practical solution methodology at SwRI is focused on
identifying the root cause of each failure. SwRI involvement can begin with
on-site assessment, continue through metallurgical analysis, and finish with
root cause determination.

Capabilities

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Full metallurgical analysis to determine mode of fracture

Structural dynamics analysis
Fluid dynamics analysis
Rotor-bearing system dynamic analysis
On-site field vibration and performance testing
Engineers and scientists
at SwRI use various
metallurgical analysis
techniques to determine
the mode of fracture.

SwRI supports failure analysis for a large variety of

turbomachinery including compressors, turbines, and pumps.

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SwRIs analysis of vibration data provides insight into the machinery dynamics during the failure event.

SwRI engineers often perform modal testing to determine

structure dynamics without the need for engineering models.

Southwest Research Institute technology data sheet

The SwRI Rotating Machinery Technologies Group

includes 50 engineers and scientists dedicated to
solving problems associated with rotating machinery
and related fluid and mechanical systems. Services
include analysis, testing, design and prototype
development for a wide variety of applications.
Klaus.Brun@swri.org (210) 522-5449

Propulsion & Energy Machinery

Air-breathing and liquid breathing propulsion
Combustion device design/analysis
Multiphase turbomachinery performance
Primary and secondary fluid/thermal systems
David.Ransom@swri.org (210) 522-5281

Machinery Reliability
API 618 compressor analysis services
Mechanical piping review
Pulsation analysis and control
Skid structure design/analysis
Benjamin.White@swri.org (210) 522-2554

Machinery Dynamics

Rotordynamics design/analysis
Turbomachinery design/development
Oil-free bearing technology development
Compressor performance testing
Jeff.Moore@swri.org (210) 522-5812

Pipeline Simulation

Transmission pipeline/facility evaluation

Transient analysis for waterhammer and surge
Liquid drop-out in gas pipelines
Design or modification of pipeline systems
Augusto.GarciaHernandez@swri.org (210) 522-5693

machinery.swri.org

Southwest Research Institute is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences
research and development organization using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
The Institute occupies 1,200 acres in San Antonio, Texas, and provides more than 2 million
square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for nearly 3,000
employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.

Find us on
SwRI Business Development San Antonio, Texas (210) 522-2122 bd@swri.org
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