Magnetically induced shaft currents: causes and cures

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6423838

Mazlack, S W

Are magnetic currents destroying high energy machines. Maybe. Under a variety of everyday circumstances, a compressor or turbine can convert itself into an electric generator producing very high electrical currents that can damage critical machinery components. In recent years costly unscheduled shutdowns of turbomachinery trains throughout the industry have been attributed to magnetically induced current damage. Once magnetically induced currents are present at significant levels, failure can occur extremely rapidly or by a gradual deterioration of couplings, seals and bearings which can take years. A major oil company's ammonia plant compressors in Texas, Trinidad and India have had several wrecks believed to have been initiated by severe magnetically induced shaft current attack. A refrigeration compressor in Texas experienced a failure of bearings literally within hours of startup. During teardown inspection, no other contributing cause of the failure could be identified except for the rotor having a residual magnetism of 60 gauss.

• Research Organization: Amoco Oil Co., Texas City, Texas
• OSTI ID: 6423838
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Vol. 63:8; ISSN HYPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
BEARINGS
COMPRESSORS
CURRENTS
DAMAGE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
MACHINE PARTS
MACHINERY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETISM
POWER GENERATION
ROTORS
SHAFTS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TURBOMACHINERY