Deviations add up to become exponential failure risks

摘要

About three years ago,a refinery power failure caused a large(~2,500 kW)three-throw reciprocating compressor to unexpectedly shut down under full load(Fig.1).It was left there,under load,for a few hours.Then,while attempting to put the machine back online,the temperature on the third of its five aluminum main bearings(i.e.,crankshaft bearings)ramped up within seconds,and when the compressor capacity was taken from part load to full throughput,the machine tripped on high frame vibration.