The VC-8000/SETPOINT® monitoring system from Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro) was selected by Williams as a replacement for their legacy machine protection system at several compressor stations. This cost-effective decision was based in part on the advanced machine condition monitoring capability that came with the system, which doesn’t even require a server or license fees.
Vast energy infrastructure
Williams (NYSE:WMB) owns and operates an extensive energy infrastructure for natural gas, natural gas liquids and olefins that includes pipeline, processing stations and olefin production facilities throughout North America. The 3,900-mile-long Northwest natural gas pipeline is a critical part of that infrastructure.
THE CHALLENGE
It is necessary to monitor each of the compressor stations on the pipeline to assess the health of the compressor drive trains and to protect them from a catastrophic failure. Many of the machines have aging machinery protection systems. “Our monitoring equipment was obsolete, and we and couldn’t get the optimal support we needed.” says Mark Hullinger, Rotating Equipment Engineer for 15 of the compressor stations on the pipeline. “Consequently, we didn’t have confidence in the data provided by the legacy system.”
THE SOLUTION
The VC-8000/SETPOINT® system from B&K Vibro not only provides complete, reliable protection of the machines, but also provides advanced diagnostic capability without requiring a separate condition monitoring server. “With regards to monitoring systems; anyone can monitor vibration amplitudes” says Mark. “VC-8000 actually gives us vibration spectrum plots and other diagnostic functions, which is a big difference for people who want to diagnose their machines more accurately. A hand-held analyzer could provide spectrum plots, but then you aren’t getting the real-time data that VC-8000 provides duly synchronized with changing process parameters”.
THE RESULTS
Since the system was installed, a number of faults had already been detected:
- Damaged thrust bearing on an engine turbocharger
- Crosshead looseness on a compressor
- Worn valves on a compressor
B&K Vibro has been working closely with Williams in helping them to increase machine reliability and to reduce life cycle operating and maintenance costs on their critical machines. B&K Vibro has already installed the VC-8000/ SETPOINT® system on seven compressor stations on the Northwest pipeline to monitor each of the diesel engine and reciprocating compressor units. Three of these are also being condition monitored by B&K Vibro and there are plans to extend this to the other four compressor stations. Machines at the Williams gas processing plants Opaland Ignacio are also being monitored by B&K Vibro. Mark summarizes: “Before, we had two or three different systems. Now, we can standardize on one system”.