Page 375 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

36O Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is the continual monitoring of the condition
and performance of operating equipment. A good predictive maintenance
program needs three ingredients:

1. An organized program
2. Equipment (instrumentation/analyzers/monitors/detectors)
3. Responsibility

Each item is useless without the other two.

PROGRAM

Although monitoring of reciprocating compressors is not as simple
and definitive as monitoring other rotating equipment, there are some
things that can be and should be monitored. The first step in the program
is to decide what is to be monitored. An effective predictive maintenance
program should include the following:

1. Daily operating reports and logs. These are used to observe operat-
ing parameters, pressures, temperature, flows, etc. These are often
overlooked and recorded as part of the operator's duties but not
referred to until after a problem develops. Continual monitoring can
show trends of developing problems.
2. Maintenance records and wear measurements. These are taken as
part of the overall maintenance program covered previously. These
records are the most important of all parts of the program. Inspec-
tion records will allow spotting of trends and prediction of possible
component failure. These records serve as the basis of planning for
shutdown and replacement of worn and failing components.
3. Infrared thermography of the valve covers temperatures (see Chap-
ter 5). This very simple procedure is an important part of any main-
tenance program and used to predict valve problems that can be
taken care of before a major failure occurs. It should be a part of
every maintenance plan.
4. Lubricating oil monitoring. This procedure helps to detect the pro-
gressive deterioration of components such as bearings. It consists of