Your Reliability Engineering Professional Development Site
A listing in reverse chronological order of these article series:
Vibration in equipment is the result of unbalanced forces.
Out-of-balance is corrected by adding or removing material so that when the equipment is operating the unbalance is controlled to an acceptable level.
Keywords: spring stiffness, damping, center of rotation, center of mass, natural frequency, isolation mount, counterbalance, out-of-phase. [Read more…]
We know that there are no “quick fixes” or “silver bullet solutions” when it comes to improvements in maintenance management. In my last article I pointed out that many separate conditions and events must come together properly to achieve “schedule success” – i.e.: the high level of compliance to a schedule of planned work as produced by your planners. That list of includes: [Read more…]
Coatings provide industry with low-cost solutions to difficult chemical corrosion problems.
This article covers the use of rubber, fiberglass, and epoxy linings.
Keywords: rubber lining, resin, composite glass fibers, overlap joints, adhesive, primer, corrosion barrier, repair. [Read more…]
Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is extremely useful for organizations considering certification in Asset Management or looking at improving their asset care practices.
Exploring RCM as a tool, getting training for instance, is something that any organization interested in Capital Asset Management™, Asset Management or compliance to ISO 55001, really should do. Here’s why… [Read more…]
Bridging is the name given to the self- created arch that develops just above the outlet of a bulk material silo or hopper as it empties.
A bridge forms when wall friction holds up the ends of the arch.
To overcome bridging the wall friction must be reduced or prevented from occurring. [Read more…]
Welcome to the final blog in my 10-part series called “Uptime Insights”, where we explore a journey of excellence in maintenance. To stay on top, managers must implement strategies that keep operations performing at high levels. In these articles I will show you how to achieve excellence in maintenance – a critical business process in any capital intensive industry. [Read more…]
Control valves regulate the flow of a liquid or gas by opening or closing internal passages.
They form part of a control loop used to control a process. The control valves respond to instructions from the controller and adjust the internal openings accordingly.
Keywords: sensor, setpoint, trim, actuator, sealing class, tuning, proportional, integral, derivative. [Read more…]
Welcome to part nine of my 10-part series of blogs called “Uptime Insights”, where we explore a journey of excellence in maintenance. To stay on top, managers must implement strategies that keep operations performing at high levels. In these articles I will show you how to achieve excellence in maintenance – a critical business process in any capital intensive industry. [Read more…]
Net positive suction head losses (or why you can suck through a straw).
Pumps cavitate and run dry when the pressure leading into them falls below the vapor pressure of what they are pumping. At vapor pressure, the liquid boils into a vapor and fills the pipe.
In order to know that the pressure to a pump is always above the vapor pressure, it is necessary to calculate that the pressure losses from pipe friction and suction lift will not cause the pressure to drop under the vapor pressure.
The presence of dissolved gas in the liquid complicates the problem. [Read more…]
Welcome to part eight of my 10-part series of blogs called “Uptime Insights”, where we explore a journey of excellence in maintenance. To stay on top, managers must implement strategies that keep operations performing at high levels. In these articles I will show you how to achieve excellence in maintenance – a critical business process in any capital intensive industry. [Read more…]
Pressure vessels must be regularly inspected and be maintained in a safe operating condition.
New Australian laws stipulate that all pressure vessels must have a Hazard Level rating (‘A’ highest to ‘E’ lowest) which reflects the vessel’s safety risk (see AS3920.1).
The higher the risk the more stringent the requirements for operating and inspecting the vessel.
Keywords: receiver, non-destructive testing, internal inspection. [Read more…]
Welcome to part seven of my 10-part series of blogs called “Uptime Insights”, where we explore a journey of excellence in maintenance. To stay on top, managers must implement strategies that keep operations performing at high levels. In these articles I will show you how to achieve excellence in maintenance – a critical business process in any capital intensive industry. [Read more…]
Get mechanical seals working properly.
Mechanical seals are used to keep the bulk contents of rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors from escaping. They do this by sealing the shaft that protrudes from the casing.
They require quality installation and operating conditions for a long life. [Read more…]
Welcome to part six of my 10-part series of blogs called “Uptime Insights”, where we explore a journey of excellence in maintenance. To stay on top, managers must implement strategies that keep operations performing at high levels. In these articles I will show you how to achieve excellence in maintenance – a critical business process in any capital intensive industry. [Read more…]
Vibration from out-of -balance rotating equipment can be frightening.
The ground shakes, machines jump about, hold down bolts come loose and parts break.
An unbalanced rotating body will produce forces on its bearings and transmit them throughout its structure and into the foundations.
Keywords: rotor, centrifugal forces, balance quality. [Read more…]
