Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Sector
Marine
Location
United Kingdom
Services
Vibration Analysis
Remote Monitoring and Data Services
Our partnership with Tidewater
Overview
Utilising vibration and stresswave spectral data collected from a vessel’s engine, our engineers were able to identify gear damage on a critical oil pump, preventing a pump failure worth £50,000. Furthermore, this could have avoided a catastrophic engine failure and replacement worth £1 million.
We provide an ongoing Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) programme to one of the world’s largest providers of offshore service vessels. Routine data is submitted on a monthly basis to establish and analyse the condition of critical assets throughout their fleet of vessels.
The challenge
Our engineers utilise multiple CBM technologies to determine an asset’s condition and remaining lifespan.
A recent data submission from an auxiliary generator, which provides power to the vessel during port calls critical to the operation of the vessel, showed a noticeable change.
The solution
Utilising vibration and stresswave spectral data, our engineers were able to identify non-synchronous frequencies at the NDE of the engine.
These are commonly associated with rolling element bearings however, as none were located close to the measurement point, our engineers requested information from the vessel operator in regard to other components.
The result
The non-synchronous activity was identified as being 1.160 orders (2075rpm) of engine shaft running speed. Utilising the information provided by the operator, our engineers were able to identify (Item 10 – Oil pump 69 teeth so at 1800 rpm gear is doing 80 / 69 = 1.15942 x 1800 = 2087 rpm) as being the closest frequency.
Figure 1: Data from the engine NDE
The inspection of the oil pump gear found significant damage – see figure 1 & 2. The unit was replaced, and all levels returned to normal for long term continued operation with a reduction in catastrophic failure risk to both the gear, pump and risk of damaging particulate entering the engine.
Figure 2: Oil pump gear damage
Key outcomes
Prevented a pump failure worth £50,000
Prevented catastrophic engine failure worth £1 million.
Reduced the risk of damaging particulate entering the engine.
Minimised downtime and disruption to operations.
Contact us to find out more about Oil Analysis, Thermography Surveys and Remote Monitoring and Data Services.
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