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ultrasound testing

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.

Keep Your Trap Shut: Advanced ultrasonic testing of steam systems
Asset Condition Management

Keep Your Trap Shut: Advanced ultrasonic testing of steam systems

A 45 minute Webinar Tutorial on Demand led by Paul Klimuc, International Service Manager, SDT Ultrasound Solutions

This presentation briefly covers the basics of ultrasound steam trap testing with a strong emphasis on advanced techniques including dynamic signal analysis of continuous traps. A steam trap testing decision tree defines action sets based on data results and guides inspectors toward the correct assessment of the trap. A real world example demonstrates how dynamic time wave analysis helps inspectors differentiate between flash and live steam. This presentation is recommended for all inspectors interested in learning about the advancements of ultrasound testing for steam systems.

Participate to learn:

1) The ultrasonic difference between Live and Flash steam

2) Using advanced dynamic signal analysis to test continuous type traps

3) A testing decision tree to guide you toward the correct assessment of trap condition

Asset Condition Management

Ultrasonic War Stories - Motor Frying Noise

For years, students have asked, "What is the frying noise I am hearing while listening to motor bearings?" My generic answer has always been, "It could be a number of things, such as badly worn

Enhanced Electrical Diagnostics through Ultrasound Imaging
Asset Condition Management

Enhanced Electrical Diagnostics through Ultrasound Imaging

A 40 minute On Demand Tutorial by Adrian Messer, UE Systems, Inc.

Ultrasonic test instruments have long been used to troubleshoot and diagnose problems in Electrical components such as enclosed switchgear. Sensing the turbulence produced by the electrical discharge, ultrasonic detectors let the inspector hear the typical buzzing and crackling sounds associated with problems like tracking and arcing.

In some cases, problems with vibrating components like name plates, doors, and other physical components may sound similar to electrical discharge. An inspector cannot always rely on their ears as the final determination of the nature of the problem.

This brief presentation will outline how to use the recorded sound of a suspected anomaly, along with spectrum analysis software, to determine if the sound is mechanical vibration or electrical discharge.

Participate to learn:

1) Mechanical vibration and Electrical Discharge can sound very similar

2) Recording sounds can help diagnose problems

3) "White noise" content between 60 or 50 Cycle Harmonics can confirm the presence of electrical discharge

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Asset Condition Management

Inspecting Chains with Ultrasound

Very few people with chain drives have any predictive or even non-intrusive inspection programmes for chains. This is a shame since it is so easy to inspect a chain using ultrasound. As a chain

 

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Pick It Up and Use It

Savings Are Just Waiting for You With Ultrasound

by James Hall

It’s not rocket science, it doesn’t require extensive training and you don’t need a $10k dollar instrument to perform ultrasonic inspections in your plant.  In other words, the low hanging-fruit can be found by almost anyone.  However, you may want to gain an understanding of the technology to routinely find leaks, diagnose bearings, inspect steam traps and perform electrical inspections.  But with most of today’s instruments, virtually anyone can simply pick it up and scan for air leaks, or use an accompanying sensor to listen to motor bearings, gearboxes or steam traps.

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.

CTRL Plans China Office Expansion to Meet Power Generation Industry Demands

WESTMINSTER, Md. - CTRL Systems’ Beijing-based office (Beijing Jiahua SiChuang Technology Ltd.) plans to increase its sales force on the heels of a successful, 2-year, energy savings pilot program conducted in China for the power generation industry.  CTRL has effectively implemented proprietary technologies into 70+ power plants using its UL-HQ turnkey system; jointly developed by CTRL and its Beijing office.  This expansion will enable CTRL to better serve new power plants coming online, and to begin the next phase of integration with current customers.

US Navy Authorizes the CTRL UL101 for Submarine Fleet

CTRL Systems, Inc. received notification today that the U.S. Navy placed the CTRL UL101 Ultrasound Detector on the Test Design Engineer Allowance Equipment List. The UL101 was also added to the Maintenance Requirement Cards of 6 different applications, indicating it will be required for use on all class subs.

Asset Condition Management

Vibration and Ultrasound Together

Supplementing vibration testing with spectral analysis of the output signal from the ultrasonic detector can be a helpful tool when used for the analysis of bearing and other types of

UE Systems Introduces Plant Operations Professionals to the Future of Ultrasound Technology

Using knowledge based on three decades of experience, the engineers at UE Systems have developed an entire ultrasonic condition monitoring laboratory - to fit in the palm of your hand.

CTRL Releases Version 2.0 With Wireless Communication to Online Ultrasound Trending-Analysis System

CTRL Systems, Inc. is releasing SoundCTRL 2.0, an ultrasound data capture software device.  Using a wireless Internet connection, SoundCTRL automatically uploads the ultrasound data to InCTRL for monitoring, reporting and diagnosing bearings, gears, pumps and valves.

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.

Compressed Air Leak Management
Asset Condition Management

Compressed Air Leak Management

Compressed Air Leak Management
A 23:11 minute iPresentation Tutorial

Testing Steam Traps with Ultrasound
Asset Condition Management

Testing Steam Traps with Ultrasound

Testing Steam Traps with Ultrasound
A 15:11 minute iPresentation Tutorial

Recording Ultrasound - Choosing The Right Method
Asset Condition Management

Recording Ultrasound - Choosing The Right Method

Recording Ultrasound - Choosing The Right Method
A 12:28 minute iPresentation Tutorial

SAVE ENERGY and GET GREENER
Asset Condition Management

SAVE ENERGY and GET GREENER

Use Ultrasonic Technology to Locate, measure, and document Compressed Air Leaks and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A 17 minute iPresentation Tutorial by Mike Naro, Technical Trainer, UE Systems, Inc.

Locating and repairing compressed air leaks not only saves your company money but reduces your carbon footprint. This presentation will provide you an overview of the advantages of ultrasound technology, and more acutely ultrasonic compressed air leak detection as a way to immediately recognize, analyze, and eliminate leaks, and your carbon footprint.

 

Finding Vacuum Leaks Under Insulation

How ultrasound inspection saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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.

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.

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