Is there a Recip Compressor Rod Reversal monitoring technology?

[MachEng]

Ok Rod Reversal Experts!

I would like to know if there is an existing technology for continuously monitoring the rod reversal of the pin in the cross head bushing that facilitates the lubrication of this section of a reciprocating compressor cylinder piston drive line mechanism.

We have experienced a condition of non-rod reversal on one of our compressors that resulted in the cross head bushing to fail due to lack of lubrication.

I have a good concept of the dynamics within this mechanism and understand that an accelerometer at 45 degrees in line with the piston shaft will show you the loading and unloading impacting in the peak to peak sine wave as a 2X RS component.

My question specifically is: Does a monitoring technology exist that one can install on the compressor that will monitor this rod reversal on a continuous basis and alarm when non-rod reversal occurs without physically identifying the condition with test equipment?

DANIEL C. SMAISTRLA
judasmai@optusnet.com.au

Equipment: Centrifugal Pumps and compressors; Steam and Gas Turbines; Reciprocation Engines and
Compressors

Specialties: Machinery diagnostics, design application of compressors, FEED,Detail Design,construction,commissioning and maintenance.

 

[pmover]

a google search of "compressor rod reversal monitoring" yielded many results. one of which is:

http://dresserrand.com/insight/v7no2/art_7d.asp#

there are others listed . . .

good luck!
-pmover

 

[gurmeet2003]

There are two possible ways to do this. One is to predict the reversal based on the cylinder pressures and the weights of parts. By continuously monitoring the pressures inside the cylinder a software can calculate the rod load reversal and activate an alarm at a set value.

Other option is to continuously monitor the temperature of pin and activate an alarm at a set value. In this case the signal has to be transmitted from the moving corss-head/con-rod to the static receiver.

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

 

[drdregh]

I came across your posting about rod reversals. I work for a company which has a simple solution which although not a live continuous monitoring system, can get pretty close to it depending on your SCADA sampling rates. We have a web based application which measures rod loads, reversals etc. Take a look at our web-site and let me know if you are interested. we have a couple of companies in Australia which currently use our web based system.

www.detechtion.com