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Articles: Ultrasonics
A Better Black Liquor Process
Finding Vacuum Leaks in a Multi Effect Evaporator
by Karl Hoffower and Allan Rienstra
So many industrial processes depend on creating a stable vacuum, but system leaks impair process efficiency and, if left unchecked, will shut it down. Finding these leaks can be challenging in noisy plant environments and reliability engineers must weigh the balance between the costs of downtime versus the cost of continuing production with a leaky, inefficient system.
Detecting Bearing Faults
By Jason Tranter
This article is the first in a series of four. In this article we will provide an overview of how vibration analysis can be used to detect bearing faults. We will only consider the typical failure mode where a spall develops in the bearing and the fault slowly worsens until the bearing ultimately fails. In the next article we will explore how techniques such as enveloping, PeakVue, Shock Pulse, time waveform, and spectrum analysis can be used to detect bearing wear. In future articles we will explore additional fault conditions (cocked bearing, EDM, skidding and other conditions), and in the final article we will examine what the vibration analyst can do to extend the life of the bearing through acceptance testing, correction of unbalance and other conditions, and root cause failure analysis.
Detecting Bearing Faults Part 2
This article is the second in a series of four. The first article provided a summary of how the vibration patterns change as the bearing fails. After very briefly recapping the basics, this article will discuss the detection and analysis tools that can be used to determine the nature and severity of the bearing fault: ultrasound, Shock Pulse, PeakVue, enveloping, and spectrum and time waveform analysis.
Elevate the Expectations for an Ultrasound Program
by James Hall
For many years and for many companies, Airborne Ultrasound was the beginning, or the Alpha, of their Predictive Maintenance (PdM) program.
Establishing Ultrasound Testing as a CBM Pillar
Looking beyond the acronyms and buzz words may be our best and only chance at discovering the true meaning of our Condition-Based Maintenance journey.
Allan Rienstra and Thomas Murphy
Establishing Ultrasound Testing as a CBM Pillar Part 2
By Allan Rienstra and Thomas Murphy
"There's lots of talk about the benefits of implementing CBM and the positive impact that condition monitoring technologies like ultrasound testing can have. It seems we all have a good grasp of what it is and why we need it. The ultimate challenge is to move from inception to launch stage. Show me HOW TO DO IT."
Establishing Ultrasound Testing as a CBM Pillar Part 3
By Allan Rienstra and Thomas Murphy
Knowledge represents power for the one. Sharing that knowledge empowers us all.
We were recently reminded of a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: "It is always dangerous to reason from insufficient data." In Part 3 of Establishing Ultrasound as a Pillar of Your CBM Program, we assert it is even more dangerous to reason from insufficient data that is poorly communicated.
Finding Vacuum Leaks Under Insulation
How ultrasound inspection saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Getting (dis)Charged Up
Detecting Corona and Corona Discharge
by Jim Hall with Chuck Humphrey
Don't let corona steal your productivity.
Getting Up Close with Ultrasound
Get Started with Vacuum Leaks
by Jim Hall
Here we are in the 21st Century and some of you are still wondering if ultrasound is the only way to find in-leakage or vacuum leaks. Well, the answer is no, because employing helium is another method widely used to locate leaks throughout a power plant.
Goin’ Mobile with Ultrasound
by Gustavo Velasquez and Allan Rienstra
Ultrasound as a predictive maintenance tool is used successfully for many applications in industries of all kinds. Ultrasound is useful as an inspection tool for detecting positive and negative pressure leaks, which are commonly found in compressed air and vacuum systems. Some industrial processes use ultrasound to identify failed steam traps, and all facilities derive safety benefits from its ability to find electrical faults.
Good Green Hunting - Managing Steam Systems with Ultrasound
by Allan Rienstra
Writing about ultrasound's role in helping industries operate "green," I am reminded of an article provided to Uptime Magazine in January/February 2009. The subject of that piece, "When Green is Good Business, Sustainability through Ultrasonic Energy Conservation" looked at the paradox of sustainability. The term sustainability was born of corporate social responsibility and the need for big business to be perceived as environmentally conscientious. Business was good. And so it was fashionable to invest in green programs. Reducing carbon footprint, conserving energy, and most importantly, painting a picture of responsible big business by putting the needs of the planet ahead of the needs of its shareholders' wallets were in vogue. Then it fell apart.
Lets Talk About Compressed Air Leakage
Did you know that leakage in compressed air distribution systems is common? In fact, in most compressed air systems, losses due to leakage exceed 30%. Very few users realize how costly this leakage can be.
Making Ultrasound More Dynamic
The use of contact and airborne ultrasound as a predictive maintenance tool has grown steadily over the course of the last two decades. It has its supporters - people who admire the simplicity of the technique. It also has its detractors - people who say that the technology lacks the discipline of vibration in terms of a route-based structure and diagnostic capabilities.
NDT and Reliability - Way of Life at Luminant
Keith B. Lawson
The success of Luminant's non-destructive testing (NDT) program over the past 35 years is the result of our extremely talented employees and their trailblazing initiative to make it a successful program. Through new technologies in NDT, we've been able to prevent major equipment failures and future damages, while producing documented cost savings for the company.

- Reliability Polls and Quizzes
- Give Work a Chance!
- CMMS Cost Justification: How Do You Justify the Purchase of a New CMMS System?
- Missing Link in Work Management
- Reliability Milestones Reached by Plant-Wide Oil Mist Systems
- Business Analytics
- Engagement - A Maintenance Story
- Why Drive Change?
(3) - Delayed Retribution - The Demise of Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Programs
(1) - Did You Get the Memo? A tongue-in-cheek look at the vicious cycle of corporate insanity
- Reliability Polls and Quizzes
- Electric Motor Bearing Greasing Basics
(7) - The 5S Method of Improvement - Enhancing Safety, Productivity and Culture
- Aerial Infrared – An Asset Management Tool for District Heating System Operators
- Asset Management: concepts and practices
(8) - Maintenance of Hydraulic Systems
(3) - CBM 2011 Video Proceedings
(2) - Improving on the Fishbone Effective Cause-and-Effect Analysis
(2) - Reliabilityweb.com 100 Top Web Sites
- Root Cause Failure Analysis Web Workshops

- Alignment and Balancing
- Asset Management
- CMMS and EAM
- Green Reliability
- Human Asset Management
- Infrared Thermal Imaging
- KPIs - Reliability Performance Metrics
- Lean Maintenance
- Lubrication
- Maintenance Management
- Motor and Power System Testing
- MRO - Spares Management
- Oil and Fluid Analysis
- Planning and Scheduling
- PM Optimization
- Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring Management
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance
- Reliability Engineering
- Reliability Leadership
- Root Cause Analysis
- Shutdowns and Turnarounds
- Total Productive Maintenance (Asset Care)
- Training
- Ultrasonics
- Vibration Analysis

- May 21
Planning for Shutdowns, Turnarounds and Outages - May 21
Reliability Excellence Fundamentals - May 28
LUDECA 1-Day Machinery Alignment Seminar - May 29
LUDECA 1-Day Machinery Alignment Seminar - June 3
Thermal Imaging Conference June 3-6th, 2013 San Diego, CA USA - June 4
3rd Hydro Plant Maintenance and Reliability Conference - June 11
RCM2 Introductory Course - An Aladon Network Course - Denver, CO - June 18
Des-Case 1-day Lubrication Best Practices Workshop - June 18
Materials Management / Storerooms - Houston, TX - June 25
Des-Case 1-day Lubrication Best Practices Workshop

- Alignment and Balancing
- Asset Management
- CMMS and EAM
- Green Reliability
- Human Asset Management
- Infrared Thermal Imaging
- KPIs - Reliability Performance Metrics
- Lean Maintenance
- Lubrication
- Maintenance Management
- Motor and Power System Testing
- MRO - Spares Management
- Oil and Fluid Analysis
- Planning and Scheduling
- PM Optimization
- Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring Management
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance
- Reliability Engineering
- Reliability Leadership
- Root Cause Analysis
- Shutdowns and Turnarounds
- Total Productive Maintenance (Asset Care)
- Training
- Ultrasonics
- Vibration Analysis

