![CDH Group [logo]](https://cdhgroup.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cdh-group-logo-228px.png){kind=logo}
Keeping air compressors and associated critical equipment in prime condition will extend life cycles and improve efficiencies, saving on running costs and maintenance costs. Compressor vibration monitoring is an important component of the diagnostic tools offered by CDH Group.
What is vibration monitoring?
All objects in motion are characterised by vibration signatures that involve variations in amplitude, intensity, and frequency. Analysis of vibration data can identify significant patterns that, in turn, can indicate developing faults in the equipment.
Vibration sensors are strategically placed on air equipment where faults might occur. As an example, on a reciprocating compressor, this might be on the crankcase and on the drive and non-drive sides.
Why CDH Group uses vibration monitoring
Vibration monitoring and analysis are important parts of our predictive service and maintenance schedules. We look for anomalies and identify deviations from the equipment’s established vibration signature.
This helps our engineers to:
- Compare results with baseline data to make informed judgments on equipment condition and performance
- Identify potential problems and address these before a breakdown occurs, and increase equipment life cycles
- Schedule timely and effective preventative maintenance work to maintain operational integrity
Predictive maintenance for critical plant
Our advanced API 670-compliant diagnostic tools can measure absolute and relative vibration, as well as shaft/thrust positioning, on compressors and compressor equipment.
Our engineers can pinpoint, with high accuracy, which bearings or components may be failing and advise users accordingly.
Benefits of monitoring vibration levels
- Plant safety – ensuring faulty equipment is taken offline before hazards occur
- Avoidance of catastrophic failure and early warning of equipment failure, indicating parameters including imbalances and misalignment
- Alerting to potential issues and providing alerts on potential repairs and parts requirements, reducing downtime
- Increased reliability and peace of mind
- Scheduling of predictive maintenance
- Saves money and extends the life of assets
Reciprocating compressor vibration monitoring
Reciprocating compressors are subject to significant dynamic forces during operation, making vibration monitoring an effective means of assessing their mechanical condition. By analysing vibration patterns, potential issues such as component wear, imbalance, looseness and misalignment can often be identified before they lead to unplanned downtime or costly repairs.
Regular vibration monitoring provides valuable insight into the health of critical compressor components and can reveal changes in vibration signatures that indicate developing faults. This information supports proactive maintenance planning, allowing repairs to be scheduled at a convenient time rather than in response to a breakdown.
As part of a wider condition monitoring strategy, vibration analysis helps improve reliability, extend equipment life and reduce the risk of unexpected compressor failures.
Thermography as a predictive tool
We also use thermography for predictive maintenance work. We utilise thermal cameras to produce thermograms that display the distribution of infrared radiation within compressor equipment.
As the temperature inside a unit increases, infrared radiation increases too. Thermograms allow us to safely capture an image of temperature levels inside operating equipment. Increased heat levels can indicate issues that require attention before further damage occurs.
If you’re interested in implementing a monitoring system for your air equipment, don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or via the form below.
FAQs
Compressor vibration monitoring measures vibration levels within compressor components to identify developing faults before they lead to breakdowns. It helps improve reliability, reduce downtime and support planned maintenance.
Vibration analysis can detect issues such as bearing wear, rotor imbalance, misalignment and mechanical looseness. Identifying these problems early helps prevent costly repairs and unexpected equipment failures.
Vibration monitoring can identify a range of faults, including worn bearings, shaft misalignment, rotor imbalance, coupling issues, looseness and mechanical defects within compressor systems.
The frequency of vibration monitoring depends on the type of compressor, its operating conditions and how critical it is to your operation. Many businesses schedule vibration analysis every three to six months, while compressors that run continuously or support critical processes may benefit from more frequent monitoring.
Vibration monitoring focuses specifically on vibration data, while condition monitoring is a broader approach that may include vibration analysis, temperature monitoring, oil analysis and performance testing.
Yes. Vibration monitoring is commonly used on reciprocating compressors to detect mechanical wear, imbalance, looseness and other developing faults that could affect reliability and performance.
Increased noise levels, unusual vibration, rising operating temperatures, reduced efficiency and recurring maintenance issues can all indicate that vibration analysis should be carried out.