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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.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Problems With Dust Extraction

by James Hall

From time to time, I have discussed the process of locating leaks in duct work with ultrasound. I recently had the opportunity to inspect some duct work, so I thought I'd review the basics. All duct work, including that which extracts dust, threads, yarns, coke, coal dust, or any number of other products, must be maintained. Unfortunately, duct work usually receives little to no attention. In many places, duct that is on a roof or outside the plant might as well be invisible. It is simply a case of out of sight, out of mind . . . until there is a problem. Typically the duct we are concerned with is made of heavy gauge steel, so it can rust and become porous, which leads to air and moisture being sucked into the duct.

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