Cause Analysis and Processing of Propylene Gas Compressor Bearing Vibration

In certain company, propylene gas centrifugal compressor is one of the core units of ethylene cracker. The machine has been running smoothly since put into operation, its bearing system never appeared abnormal. In October 2011, the low pressure side of bearing started to show abnormal vibration, as time move on, the vibration values showed an upward trend, which reached 45um by the end of November. This abnormal vibration brings significant hazards to the safe operation of the device, and could affect the normal production of the cracker and its downstream units and lead to huge loss. Therefore, to eliminate hidden dangers and ensure safe production, the device was disassembled and checked. After analysis, it was found that, the fundamental reason for bearing vibration was static corrosion. Measures like process operation adjustment were adopted, which solved the vibration problem completely and provided guarantee for the long period safe operation of the device.