THRUST POSITION TREND INCREASE ON LP COMPRESSOR

a Case Study from Kuwait Oil Company

by Abdullah Zaman Al-Merza

Problem
This case study describes the benefits provided by executing our company’s maintenance
practices supported by the best condition monitoring platform System1, in one of the Low-
Pressure Centrifugal Compressor driven by GE MS 5002 A Gas Turbine in Booster Station BS
150.
Since past 2 years, the Compressor Thrust Position trend was gradually moving towards
alarm condition, without any increase in Thrust Bearing Temperature, which was a strange
observation. All other vibration and process parameters were found to be normal. Close
monitoring was followed, until there was a Preventive Maintenance Opportunity on the Gas
Turbine. During compressor inspection it was found that the Thrust Float of the Compressor
was high compared to OEM specs. Furthermore, considerable wear was observed in the
Thrust Bearing Inboard & Outboard carrier assembly without any damage on the Thrust Pads
Babbitt area. Normally an increase in Thrust Float is caused by wear in the Thrust Pads
Babbitt area, but in this case, it was not, which makes this case more interesting and unique.
The data was recorded by System1† software, and was later analyzed by KOC Gas
Maintenance Support & Reliability Team. We raised the concern with OEM, who in turn
recommended for periodic inspection and necessary replacement of Thrust Bearing and its
components. This event was an excellent example of how System 1 software is able to
capture important diagnostic data in short-term as well as for long-term, aiding in
maintenance support.
Asset Criticality Note
The high-volume LP Gas Compressor is highly critical to the operation of the booster station,
due to its status as a unit to support the HP Compressor Unit, and also any major
breakdown in Compressor could cause extended downtime of more than 28 days equivalent
to 1.42 million KD.

Vibration Data Plots and Analysis

System1 Long-Term data trend Figure 3, showed gradual increase in Compressor Thrust
position values nearing to Alarm limit.

However the Thrust Bearing Temperatures showed no correlation with the Thrust position
values and was showing normal trend see Figure 4.
Since there was no correlation between the Thrust position and the Thrust bearing
temperature values, and there was already a PM activity opportunity, KOC decided for
performing some field maintenance checks on the Compressor.

Field Inspection and Observations

The following were the critical activities performed prior to Compressor Thrust Bearing
inspection:
• Thrust Float Checked with Mechanical Dial Gauge, found as high as 24 mils, against
OEM Axial Float value Min: 14 mils, Max:20 mils, BN 3500 Alarm :17.5mils, Trip:
22.5mils
• Alignment Checked between Compressor & Power Turbine – Found within tolerance
limits
• DBSE (Distance Between Flange to Flange) at Load Coupling was recorded, and found
that it was slightly higher than spec, may be due to higher thrust float.
The above activities and observations were further leading KOC to inspect the condition of
Thrust Collar and Thrust bearing assemblies. Upon Thrust Bearing Disassembly it was noted
that, all the Active & Inactive Thrust Pads back side Pivot and its supporting Shoe in the Carrier
assembly was showing wear. The wear depth was up to 4 to 5 mils approximately on each
side. This could have accounted for the increased Thrust Float of the compressor.
See below photos 1 & 2 showing the critical observations on the Thrust Bearing Pads:

Root Cause & Remedial Action: KOC approached OEM and there was no specific root cause
identified, other than prolonged usage of Thrust Bearings without replacement. However
KOC Replaced Complete Thrust Bearing Active & Inactive Pads with Carrier Assembly during
this outage. KOC advised for close monitoring and periodic check of Thrust Float in future
and replace Thrust bearings if necessary.
The unit was started after the above Compressor activities and Gas Turbine PM activities,
and the Thrust position became normal to -5 mils, and showing normal trend.
Summary & Lesson Learned
System 1 platform captured the vital long-term vibration data which enabled KOC to plan
and take remedial action in the right opportunity without leading to major failure. Such
instances reaffirms the importance of maintaining the Field Instrumentation sensors,
Vibration Monitoring System and System1 platform to remain in good health. This drives
KOC to include process parameters also into System1 for better trending and analyses in
future.
Since the Babbitt Coating should be the first affected component in the Thrust Bearing
Assembly, OEM should explore the possibility of improving the Thrust Bearing Carrier
Assembly Metallurgical Stiffness to avoid such cases in future.
Such cases gives confidence in operating the machines with conditioned based
maintenance philosophy, and also enable sustainable improvement of maintenance
practices, and raise the bar towards predictive maintenance philosophy.