Equipment Knowledge Archives

Equipment Knowledge

The Importance of Equipment Fit, Tolerance, and Clearance

Ensuring proper fit, tolerance, and equipment clearance is essential to the reliable operation and longevity of mechanical equipment.

Equipment Knowledge

The Impact of Bearing Isolators on Life-Cycle Cost in Rotating Equipment

Bearing isolators significantly reduce the life-cycle cost of rotating equipment by minimizing maintenance, downtime, and energy expenses while extending equipment life.

Equipment Knowledge

How to Track Large Rotating Equipment

Rotary dryers, kilns, mills and reactors turn on tires and trunnions. Each tire is mounted to the rotating shell and revolves on two roller trunnions. If the alignment between the tire and trunnions is lost due to wear, poor repair, installation error or impact, the equipment will need to be tracked.

Equipment Knowledge

The State of the Semiconductor Industry and Its Growth

The semiconductor industry is a cornerstone of modern technology, enabling innovations that make the world smarter, healthier, greener, and better connected. Semiconductors, often referred to as the “brains” of electronic devices, are integral to everything from smartphones and computers to advanced medical equipment and electric vehicles, as well as less common household items like refrigerators, dishwashers, and our smart bulbs to connect devices to Alexa or Siri.

Equipment Knowledge

A Look at Closed Cooling Water Issues

Large industrial facilities frequently have many closed cooling water systems. Plant personnel may, at times, overlook important issues related to water treatment and corrosion minimization within these networks; that is until a failure brings down a system and perhaps a unit operation, or worse. An important part of any preventive maintenance program is conscientious monitoring and control of cooling water chemistry.

Equipment Knowledge

Use the Right Grease for the Job

Grease – use the right one for the job. The classification, selection, and application of greases is included in this article. Greases are designed for specific applications and if used in the wrong service they will not be effective. Compare the properties of greases and check those used in your equipment are suited to the service.

Equipment Knowledge

Get Mechanical Seals Working Properly

Get mechanical seals working properly. Mechanical seals are used to keep the bulk contents of rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors from escaping. They do this by sealing the shaft that protrudes from the casing. They require quality installation and operation conditions for a long life. Keywords: precision assembly, barrier fluid, stationary seal, rotary seal, alignment.

Equipment Knowledge

Prevent Flange Leaks with Proper Bolting Practices

Prevent flange leaks with proper bolting practices. Bolts and gaskets behave like springs and unless flange bolts and nuts are properly tensioned the flange will leak. The correct tightening torque depends on bolt diameter, material of construction, process pressure and bolt fabrication.

Equipment Knowledge

Protecting Cooling Water Systems – Part 2

Cooling systems are vital and integral components at thousands of industrial plants. Properly designed and operated chemical treatment systems, preventive maintenance of such, and monitoring are absolutely critical to minimize failures that otherwise may cause partial or full plant outages. In the next three parts of this series, we will examine the water-side issues of microbiological fouling, scale formation, and corrosion that require attention during both the design and operation of open-recirculating cooling systems like those discussed in Part 1 of this series.