9 Shaf coupings affects couplings with rubber elements, isthe surrounding envi- ronment. The servic Ife ofa gear coupling is largely depend tet upon regular lubrication using the corect type of lubricant accordingto the ambient temperature, etc. Flexible spring cou- plings are available with special grease which lasts five years, Fequire almost no routine maintenance, and have no effects on the environment. Alignment affects the service Ife of all cou- plings respective of type or manufacturer. Forcertsin ypes ot installations itcan be desirable to use acou- pling that allows a certain amount of emergency dive even in the event of fallure ofthe laxble element. For athernstallae tions it may be necessary to use limited torque coupling with ‘overload protection Iti imporantto carry out regular service and alignmentchecks according to the manufacture’s instructions, and equally im- portant that these instructions are placed inthe hands of the personnel concerned, Unfortunately methods or equations for assessing the degree of wear are often lacking 9.11 Shaft alignment 9.11.4 General Flexible shaft couplings are normally used to transfer torque between rotating shafs where the shafts ae not necessarily in perfect alignment. It should be noted that a flexible couping is ot an excuse for poor alignment. Careful alignment is impor- {ant forthe purpose of achieving maximum operational relabil- ily whilst reducing service and maintenance. When carrying out alignment, consideration must be glven to relative movements ofthe respective machines due to thermal expansion and deformation caused by pipe forcesimoments| and setting of baseplates on foundations, el. In certain cases, such as electric motors with plain bearings, notice must be taken oftheelectricmotor's magneticcente. Alignment should be carried out at various stages during instalation. ‘When alignmentis carried out at cold emperaturas, tis neces- sary to make allowances to compensate forthe thermal expan- sion caused bythe ciferenoe in temperature ta that ofthe nor- ‘mal operating temperature of a pump, pipeline and drwver When possible, afnal check should be made at operating con tions after a few woeks in servioe. Alignment checks shouls then be caried out at regular intervals. Misalignment, apart from being caused by any of he previously mentioned loads and deformations, can depend upon worn bearings and loose holding dawn bots, An increase in vibraionlevels can often be ‘caused by a change in alignment. Within the petrochemical industry and refineries, reports are ‘equently made with respect to alignment. The repors note the alignment prior to and ater operation, before removing the pump or dismantling for repairs. The same procedureis cartieg ‘out 6 check alignment of hot pumps after warm running. Correct alignment can be achieved in many ways depending upon the type of equipment and degree of accuracy required. Information regarding alignment requirements is usualy to be found in the pum manufacturers instructions "Never use the limting values forthe coupling as given by the coupling manufacturer since they greatly excaed the values for machines if smooth running and long service life are to be achieved, ‘As a guide, a final alignment check should not produce greater parallel misalignment than 0.05 to 0.1 mm or an angular mis- fgnment exceeding 0.05 to 0.1 mm per 100 mm measured length. For the defintion of misalignment see Section 9.14.2. ‘Alignment is adjusted by means of brass or staniess steo! shims, usually placed beneath the machine suppor. Basepiates are generally machined so that a minimum number (of shims are always required under the mater. Horizontal ad- |ustment is performed by moving the machine sideways on its mountings. Large machines must have horizontal jacking screws fited. Sometimes the pump and driver are fixed ater f nal agjustment by means of parallel or tapered dowels. 9.11.2 Alignment measurement 9.11.2.4 Reference line misalignment In principle, alignment is based upon the determination of the positon of two shafts at two poinls. Measurement or assess ‘ment can be made by straight edges, feler gauges and dial in- lcators forthe various radial and axal distances oF run-out, see Figure9.13, Adjustmentis continued until these deviations ‘are 2070, or nearly 20r0, Two shafts in a vertical plana for exampla, can display two de- vations fom their common centre line, namely parallel mis- alignment and angular misalignment, see Figure 9.14, The ‘amountof msalignmentat the flexible section ofthe coupling is that whichis ofinterest. Its therefore appropriate to use a et- erence line which passes through the flexible section. Parallel ‘ang angular misalignments are then referred to this reference line, Figure 9.15. In Figure 9.14 its important to note thet it the reference ine were ta be chosen at the intersection point of the two centre lines of the shafs, point A, then only angular misalignment would exist. From 2 practical point of view angular misalign- ments best measured as an inclination expressed as mm per 4100 mm measured length rather han as an angular measure= ment in degrees, ‘The posionof he reference line depends upon the typeof cou- pling and naturally should always be located in relation tothe flexible section of ne coupling. For couplings wih spacers and ‘one or two flexible elements the postion ofthe reference line is shown in Figure 9,15. Unless otherwise stated by the couping| manufacturer the permited misalignment is considered to be that which is measured from the reference line, 9.11.2.2 Alignment procedure Inthe case ofa horizontal uni, alignments best catied outby first aligning in the vertical plane, flowed by transverse align- ment. For vertical units aignmentis measuredin twodirections | ‘a1 90° fo each other. For a horizontal unt, alignment is caried ‘ut inthe folowing stops: 1. Align the machines visually and check that the coupling is nat ecushed in any way. 2. tach the measuring devices) and check thatthe cialind- Cator(s) moves freely within the area to be measured. 3. Check possible distortion ofthe motor mounting or base- plate By tightening and loosening each, nolding down Dott Individually. Shim the motor feet if dstorton is present 4, Setthe gal indicator(s)o zero in the postion shown in Fig- ure 9.13 5, For methods I, nd Vin Figure 9.13, rotate both shafts simultaneously through 180°, half revolution, thus eiminat- ing the influence of run-out between shaft bores and the Winans mm etree ine er 00mm meanared length Pump shaft sac sat ‘Angus misaignment t4— degrees Paatat isalgnment mn 254 PUMPING MANUAL International