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Troubleshooting rotating machinery vibration problems

1990; Penn Well Publishing; Volume: 94; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

0032-5961

T.H. McCloskey,

Mechanical Failure Analysis and Simulation

Vibration problems in rotating machinery are a major contributor of forced or unplanned maintenance outages in fossil fuel fired power plants. Many turbine blade failures, the leading cause of steam turbine outages for large fossil fuel plants in the United States, are caused by vibration-related fatigue stresses. Such failures cost utilities more than $235 million annually. However, conversion of large units to cycling operation also has increased blade failures. Lateral and torsional vibrations in turbines, generators, pumps, fans, and motors also cost utilities more than $170 million annually. Rotor dynamic instability and hydrodynamic forces induced by the working fluid and by coupled mechanical-hydraulic interactions cause vibrations that can damage rotor, bearings, and seals and adversely affect foundation, piping, and ductwork. This paper discusses a series of troubleshooting tools to help utilities determine the root causes of turbine blade and other rotating machinery failure.