Maintenance Partners is one of the leading service providers in the field of turbomachinery and rotating equipment. Through its unique and comprehensive service range, state of art technologies, expert team and worldwide network, Maintenance Partners has become the first choice of succesful businesses worldwide.
Metrans Makina has a strategic partnership with Maintenance Partners and successfully continues to provide service to Turkey’s top companies.
FAQ’S ON ROTOR INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS
The rotor is one of the most critical components of any turbomachine. A rotor is subject to many factors that influence its condition, such as gases or steam, vibrations, pollution, abrasive parts in the medium, temperature variations and starts/stops. Over time, these factors will lead to erosion, corrosion, cracks or even broken parts.
Rotor inspections can detect faults at an early stage and repairs can prevent unplanned outages. That is why rotor inspections are an essential part of maintenance programs for turbomachinery.
We regularly receive questions about rotor inspections and repairs and hope to answer the most frequently asked questions below.
Did you know that Maintenance Partners performs rotor inspections according to the API687 standard?
To ensure the quality of rotor inspections and to clearly define the contents of a rotor inspection, Maintenance Partners has implemented the API687 for rotor inspections of centrifugal compressors, axial compressors, steam turbines, gears, expanders and positive displacement rotary screw type compressors.
What is API687?
The API687 standard has been drawn up by American Petroleum Institute and is a recommended practice for repairing rotors. API687 is the only written standard covering rotor inspection and repairs in all aspects and defines what vendor and equipment owner responsibilities are during the inspection/repair process. Inspections and repairs generally follow the following sequence:
“Development of initial scope – Phase I & Phase II Inspection – Repair – Post Repair”
During the entire process the equipment owner has the lead for approving job scopes, work procedures, welding procedures and quality plans. The vendor shall have all details of repairs, material certificates and records of heat treatments available for the equipment owner.
API divides the inspection process into two phases:
Phase I, Inspection: Assembled Rotor
Phase II, Inspection: Disassembled Rotor
Phase I
Unload and unpack rotor
Conduct incoming visual inspection
Protect all critical areas & clean by glass peen blasting
Perform visual inspection after cleaning
Perform NDT
Check and record dimensions, electrical & mechanical runouts
Perform low speed balancing check
Prepare Phase I inspection report
Phase II
Unload and unpack rotor
Conduct incoming visual inspection
Protect all critical areas & clean by glass peen blasting
Perform visual inspection after cleaning
Perform NDT
Check and record dimensions, electrical & mechanical runouts
Perform low speed balancing check
Prepare Phase I inspection report
Disassemble rotor (blades or impellers)
Perform visual inspection of all removed parts
Measure all shaft component sizes
Perform NDT on all removed parts
Prepare Phase II inspection report
What if a rotor needs to be repaired?
Maintenance Partners’ rotorshop is fully equipped with state of art equipment for all types of rotors. Depending on the condition of the rotor, the rotor repair may include the following:
Rotor journal repairs by welding, laser cladding or HVOF coating
Spare parts: manufacturing of new impellers, shafts, blades, diaphragms, blade carriers, etc.
Reblading
Replacement of seal strips
Low speed balancing
High speed balancing
Over speed test
Impeller spin test
Coating application on compressor impellers for corrosion protection, reduction of fouling rates and a smooth surface, resulting in an increased efficiency.
Please contact us for information and inquiries.