Troubleshooting and performing pump vibration testing on a new oil tanker pumping station in Colombia consisting of 4 screw pumps.  Specialized testing revealed that piping natural frequencies were to blame.

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  • Problem Statement (Challenge)
    • What (type of machine): Oil Tanker Pumping Station Screw Pump
    • Where (State/ Country): Colombia
    • Why (problem/reason): Identify reason(s) for high vibration causing damage to a new oil pumping station installation made up of four screw pumps.
  • Work Performed
  • Results/ Solution
    • Findings: A group of modes was identified within 15% of the 1xN, 2xN, and 4xN (lobe passing frequency) pump running speed, representing resonance conditions that could result in vibration-related reliability issues occurring.
    • Impact: Finite Element results indicated that adding piping supports at strategic locations would result in separation margins greater than 15% separation. The proposed modification provided a practical level of protection relative to vibration-related reliability issues due to a resonance condition.

 

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PipingFEA

ProE model with constraints.

 

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Oil Tanker Pumping Station Screw Pump Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting a new oil tanker pumping station in Colombia consisting of 4 screw pumps.  Specialized testing revealed that piping natural frequencies were to blame.