The Importance of Remote Monitoring
Whether it be a power plant, gas compression station, or any other site that houses major equipment, being able to prevent and predict downtime can reap serious financial benefits. In fact, a GE Study of the oil and gas industry found that predictive maintenance strategies can lower unplanned downtime by as much as 60 percent (1).
An important aspect of predictive maintenance is having the ability to remotely monitor your equipment. This helps operators understand how their equipment is running in between routine maintenance so they can remotely shut down the system when an issue comes up rather than waiting until damage occurs.
How is Remote Monitoring Made Possible?
Manual monitoring of major equipment can be inefficient, cost extensive, and sometimes physically impossible if being performed in person. Whether a facility is operating one or multiple pieces of equipment, obtaining vital data points about the system’s health, such as bearing or lube oil temperatures, can be extremely challenging without disrupting operations.
However, external systems that perform these tasks are available. These systems allow sites to work remotely and be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to necessary maintenance.
AMOT Model 4271B Bearing Temperature Sensor
The AMOT Model 4271B bearing temperature sensor can be used as the basic sensing unit in your equipment’s safety system. With the ability to detect stationary bearing temperature, fluid temperature, and even compressor discharge temperature, operators can understand how critical machine parts are operating.
The rise of a bearing’s temperature above designed operating parameters is an indication of possible mechanical or lubrication concerns. With the installation of the 4271B, operators will be alerted when bearing temperatures exceed desired ranges and can resolve the issue before catastrophic failure occurs.
AMOT MPD2 Metal Particle Detector (MPD)
In order to maintain proper functionality of a lubricating oil system and safeguard against catastrophic failures, it is vital to detect any metal particulate that may appear. By installing the AMOT metal particle detector in the side stream of the main oil supply, you can continuously monitor for conductive particles. If debris does come in contact with the MPD’s electrical grid, a warning will notify the operator to perform oil condition checks to determine machinery health status.
Conductive particles in your oil are typically a sign of an impending failure and, if not recognized early, can lead to expensive repairs or complete equipment replacement.
Below is an example of the MPD2 triggering a shut down due to a spun bearing from an engine that was only 3000 hours removed from its previous overhaul. Thanks to the MPD, only minor crankshaft damage occurred, and downtime was limited to only 2 days compared to months if the engine had continued to operate with contaminated oil.
AMOT Model G Valve
Three-way thermostatic control valves can be found on almost every piece of major equipment, controlling either the lube oil or coolant circuit. In most cases, the thermostatic control valve is strictly mechanical, and it provides no feedback outside of where the valve is physically installed.
The AMOT Model G Valve’s remote capabilities stretch far beyond that of a mechanical valve and can offer a level of temperature control that is more accurate and flexible. Featuring an external temperature probe and PID controller, the G Valve allows operators to remotely control and monitor the temperature anywhere in the circuit instead of just at the valve’s location.
Proactive Not Reactive
When it comes to the maintenance of your equipment, understanding how it is operating with real-time data can save time and money by preventing costly repairs and time-consuming, unplanned overhauls. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about our remote monitoring products or if you’d like to speak to an engineer to understand which products are right for your application.
Sources: 1 GE Oil & Gas, “The Impact of Digital on Unplanned Downtime” https://www.ge.com/digital/sites/default/files/download_assets/ge-the-impact-of-digital-on-unplanned-downtime.pdf