Put the wind back in your sails. Wind farm operators take a proactive approach to their maintenance, thereby reducing overall operating costs.
Most of today’s maintenance managers are constantly seeking new methods and tools which allow them to do more with less to improve a company’s existing Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MRO) program. Referred to as “remote condition monitoring and diagnostic systems,” such technologies will cut overall production costs, improve quality, minimize downtime and increase operational efficiency. Thanks to the internet, new diagnostic tools for vibration signal analysis, and high speed communication networks, operators can acquire data not just on site but also remotely, using the internet.
For wind farm owners, this new feature has become and integral part of their operation. An online condition monitoring system enables the operator to monitor individual turbines and gearboxes or an entire wind farm in order to predict when maintenance will be necessary. With this information it is possible to plan maintenance activities more effectively and to extend the time between costly offshore site visits.
Best-in-Class Online Condition Monitoring Systems Features:
- Offers consistent performance with minimal infrastructure regardless of the size of the system
- Provide full assessment to evaluate the situation, define scope and plan for future execution
- Flexible in terms of queries performed and the presentation of information returned
Top Considerations before Buying Online Condition Monitoring:
The results of a report of Condition Monitoring Systems presented at the Engineering Systems Design and Analysis (ESDA) Conference held in Manchester, UK showed that the majority of respondents cited both reducing the number of unscheduled breakdowns and saving money as their primary reasons for implementing online condition-based monitoring. Online condition monitoring has the potential to generate significant impact in the areas of condition assessment and asset management strategies.
Key Producers:
1. Automation Products Inc. develops, manufactures and markets the Dynatrol Systems of on-stream process analyzers, measurement and control instruments, level detectors, plus a line of new accessories. Dynatrol viscosity equipment is available for either in-line measurement or as a separate “stand alone” design for applications including liquid paints, primers and fluorescent coatings as well as the properties of other fluid products used in the manufacture of plastics and other polymers. The company's Dynatrol Density Cells are available in a wide variety of corrosion-resistant materials, and are complete when paired with one of our newest Digital or Analog output Converters. The Density Systems are available as well with the Red Goose Pipeline Product Sampling System.
2. GE Energy’s Trendmaster Pro links hundreds of mounted transducers and measurement points onto a single-cable sensor network. It is a cost effective monitoring systems in comparison to conventional continuous monitoring system. Data is captured and passed to a comprehensive system individual measurement points can be scanned by the system every few minutes to provide quasi-continuous condition monitoring data. GE Energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.
3. Diagnose and measure by vibration measurement with Aerzen according to VDI 3836 (DIN ISO 10816-1/3). This system intakes and measures data before compiling a comprehensive evaluation and report. It quickly identifies the critical machines and provides vibration analysis of screw compressors and positive displacement blowers. We are a globally acting family-owned company with subsidiaries and trading partners in the most industrialized countries of the world. Based on 145 years of experience Aerzen offers client-orientated solutions in the field of twin shaft rotary piston machines.
4. The VIBNODE by Ludeca is a comprehensive entry-level online monitoring system that allows the end-user to access customized spectrums and time waveforms from a remote location. VIBNODE includes scanning of 6 or 12 channels, making it ideal for switchbox replacement or new installations. The system is configured with easy to set-up software, storage and analysis of spectrums, time waveforms and trend. The intelligent system contains abilities to push out alerts via email or text message when the vibration level exceeds an alarm band. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Ludeca specializes in preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance solutions.
Online Condition Monitoring
Definition: Online Condition is the process of monitoring a parameter of condition in machinery, such that a significant change is indicative of a developing failure through online capabilites. The use of online conditional monitoring allows maintenance to be scheduled, or other actions to be taken to avoid the consequences of failure, before the failure occurs in real-time interface.
