PRESENTER

Wally Bratek

Wally Bratek is a principal consultant in Wood’s vibration, dynamics and noise group. His more than 20 years’ design and field experience include acoustical (pulsation) and mechanical vibration analysis, machinery dynamics, field testing and troubleshooting, alignment, high-speed balancing, lateral rotordynamics, piping flexibility and flow-induced pulsation. Wally has presented multiple papers at industry conferences, is a member of the GMRC Gas Machinery Conference Planning Committee, and is an active member of the API 618 6th Edition task force or pulsation analysis.

SUMMARY

Technologies and hardware for the measurement and diagnosis of vibration on machinery and piping systems continue to evolve. Multi-channel data acquisition systems (48 or more) have become commonplace whereas simple one- or two-channel systems have been the standard for many years. More-efficient software is available to analyze and visualize the mountain of data that is collected. However, the use of advanced tools is not a substitute for careful examination of basic factors that might cause increased vibration levels. In many cases, basic observations and analysis can lead to the identification of causes without having to resort to more costly field measurements or advanced analyses. Sometimes a “back-to-basics” analysis approach is all that is required to solve a problem.

This presentation is intended for plant engineers, operators and millwrights who are often the first to identify vibration problems and asked to solve them. The goal of this lecture is to present the fundamentals of vibration, typical causes for vibration issues and common remedies. Techniques for visual inspections are presented.

Case studies involving pumps and compressors will be discussed to show how seemingly complex issues can be solved based on knowledge of basic vibration principles. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge of vibration basics and simple approaches for solving problems.