Page 373 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

358 Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance

It is important to take time to evaluate at the outset how well the pro-
posal blends the contractor's operations and management with those of
the client. Because the service is being performed on the plant premises,
the contractor must follow plant security and safety regulations. Supervi-
sory interaction must occur daily.
Initially, expect apprehension among resident personnel that the con-
tractor's presence may cause them to lose their jobs. This must be
addressed at the outset, even before the contractor is hired. Careful eval-
uation and selection of the right contractor can help assure that this
process will occur expeditiously. An experienced maintenance contractor
will work with the plant to ensure that both parties benefit from the
agreement.

SUMMARY

To summarize, a preventive maintenance program is a comprehensive
program of reliability improvement and failure prevention carried out by
all personnel, with the understanding and support of management.
A good preventive maintenance plan should:

1. Maintain or improve the reliability and efficiency of compression
equipment.
2. Represent a planned maintenance program.
3. Include training to improve the maintenance skills of both operators
and maintenance specialists.
4. Ensure the development and updating of proper and adequate
records on the condition of the compression equipment.
5. Use proper and accurate tooling to maintain the compressors.
6. Ascertain availability of proper spare parts and properly recondi-
tioned components for each type of compressor.

No single technique used alone can solve all the problems that result in
high compressor maintenance. Undue emphasis is often placed on the
predictive aspects of maintenance to the exclusion of preventive mainte-
nance. Both have their place; they are complementary. The best available
maintenance management practice is to apply predictive techniques in an
effort to accurately define when to perform preventive maintenance.