Computerized system extends time between engine overhauls. [Computerized maintenance program for gas pipeline compressor equipment]

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Pipe Line Industry; (United States)

OSTI ID:5136424

Moneypenny, R ^[1]

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1. Delhi Gas Pipeline Corp., Oklahoma City, OK (United States)

Delhi Gas Pipeline Corp. is running its compressor engines and turbines at 98% availability and has extended time between overhauls (TBO) by 50% through a program of computerized operating history with 35 variables, including monthly oil analysis. An integral part of the company's northern region (Oklahoma) includes 135 engine and turbine-driven gas compressors installed along the pipe line system -- primarily gathering -- and plant facilities. A prime objective is maintaining high levels of equipment availability. During winter, the equipment is providing close to 100% availability at 95% of company-rated horsepower. To achieve this availability, the company uses a maintenance program based on historical and current operating data that summarizes about three dozen operating variables. Operators can match each power unit's performance against historical records. That comparison, coupled with experience, indicates which units are demanding excessive maintenance. Vital elements in the maintenance program are the lubricants and oil analysis services supplied by Mobil Oil Corp. Previously, it was traditional to change oil every 500 hours. Now, oil analysis determines the interval. Normally, this occurs at around 3,000 hours, usually because of nitration products buildup. The 3,000-hr interval roughly coincides with the length of the winter heating season, making it possible to operate a unit through this critical period without an oil change, a key boost to mechanical availability.

• OSTI ID: 5136424
• Journal Information: Pipe Line Industry; (United States), Journal Name: Pipe Line Industry; (United States) Vol. 77:2; ISSN 0032-0145; ISSN PLINAH
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPRESSORS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENGINES
LUBRICANTS
LUBRICATING OILS
LUBRICATING PROPERTIES
MAINTENANCE
OILS
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIPELINES