Vibration Monitoring and Mechanical Fault Diagnosis. Centrifugal Finisher Pump Application

Abstract

In mechanical engineering, especially in machine maintenance, vibration monitoring plays a critical role in ensuring optimal performance and extending equipment lifespan. It is essential for enhancing machine availability, enabling timely scheduling of repairs and balancing interventions, and detecting various mechanical faults. The centrifugal finisher pump under consideration required vibration monitoring, which significantly improved its operational availability. Through this process, we were able to proactively schedule maintenance activities, such as repairs and shaft balancing. Several mechanical defects were identified in the installation, including:  Misalignment between the two motor shafts and the turbine shaft.  Bearing faults in the turbine shaft, which resulted in frequent bearing replacements. The repeated failure of the turbine shaft bearings highlighted the need to reassess and resize the bearings to better match the system’s operational demands. These observed practical results will be compared with numerical analysis outcomes to validate findings and refine the design and maintenance strategies.