This case study presents how vibration signals originating from the purifier, specifically due to its material accumulation and imbalance, can be visible in its electric motor. Furthermore, this focus on how regular cleaning and maintenance of the purifier bowl significantly reduces the vibrations, improving motor and purifier performance and extending its service life.
Measurements are taken both on el. motor and separator in locations presented below.
Below are presented results and observations from the measurements of HFO purifier before the cleaning the bowl.
Two main vibration parameters are being used:
– Vibration Velocity – representing intensity of dynamic forces acting on the sensor. It is good representation of faults like unbalance, misalignment, looseness.
– Bearing Envelope – focusing on forces generated by early stages of rolling element bearing wear.
Limits for vibration velocity values according to ISO 10816-3 are:
Below are presented vibration spectra from the measurements before the cleaning of the bowl.
As observed in fig 2 HH3 (purifier), a dominant frequency of 198.5 Hz, which is associated with the rotational speed of the purifier, is also present in fig 1 HH1 (motor) and fig 3 A2 (motor). This indicates that the possible problem is in the purifier and not in the motor.
Since the motor and purifier are installed on the or casing, excessive vibrations from the purifier travel through the casing and are transmitted to the motor.
As observed in the measurement results in Tab 1, almost all points of the purifier and electric motor have an excessive vibration. This possibly indicates that our purifier bowl has an unbalance problem. When the bowl became dirty, or its components had some damages due to lack of cleaning, this will result in the bowl’s centrifugal force being unbalanced, which will result in excessive vibrations.
The following work was recommended to eliminate excessive vibrations in both the motor and the purifier.
1. The purifier should be checked/cleaned.
2. The condition and tension of belts should be checked.
3. The next measurement should be done after performing work (please send with feedback).
There were no major repairs conducted on the electric motor, merely a check of the base bolt’s tightness. The condition of the belt and clutch was satisfactory upon inspection. Heavy sludge deposits were discovered inside the bowl during cleaning. These thick deposits were a possible source of the purifier’s high vibrations. The vibration from the purifier is transferred to the motor.
After cleaning the bowl, inspection of the bolts, v-belts, and clutch pad, new measurements were taken to verify the condition of the motor and purifier.
The findings indicate a direct correlation between purifier bowl imbalance and motor vibrations. After cleaning the purifier bowl the rotational symmetry was restored and the vibrations were reduced both in the electric motor and purifier, as observed in Tab 2 measurement results. The heavy sludge deposits in the bowl upset its rotational balance, transmitting uneven forces to the motor and causing excessive vibration. If the bowl was not cleaned, the imbalance could eventually cause mechanical wear and higher energy usage.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the purifier is thus critical for maintaining motor and purifier performance and avoiding long-term damage.