A collaborative approach to plant health
In a recent groundbreaking study, SSE Thermal and Beran joined forces to revolutionise machinery health monitoring. This partnership highlights the critical role of site engineers, continuous online monitoring systems, and remote diagnostic support in maintaining plant health.
The challenge
SSE Thermal faced the task of adapting its machinery inspection processes to meet the demands of decarbonization. The transition to renewable energy sources required their gas turbines to operate with greater flexibility, making traditional physical inspections inadequate for detecting minor changes and intermittent issues, like an occasional “hum” in the generator noise.
The solution
Enter Beran’s PlantProtech™ range. These advanced analysers provided 24/7 monitoring of vibration signals, offering continuous surveillance of machinery health. With the integration of temporary vibration sensors on the generator casing, engineers were able to monitor vibrations more closely. Remote diagnostic specialists then analysed the data in real-time, identifying potential problems and advising on corrective actions.
The benefits
This collaborative approach allowed SSE Thermal to move from reactive to proactive maintenance. Alerts and alarms set up through the PlantProtech™ system enabled early detection of minor changes before they could escalate. The integration of vibration data with process parameters gave a comprehensive view of machinery conditions, leading to timely interventions and adjustments, such as correcting looseness within the generator stator frame.
Real-time success
The temporary sensors installed for close monitoring remained in place to ensure ongoing health checks. This continuous monitoring, combined with detailed real-time analysis, showcased the effectiveness of the PlantProtech™ system in maintaining machinery health and optimising maintenance costs.
Conclusion
The successful collaboration between SSE Thermal and Beran underscores the importance of integrating advanced technology with expert human intervention. By combining site inspections with continuous monitoring and remote diagnostics, they achieved early detection and resolution of potential issues, ensuring safe and reliable operations. This partnership serves as a model for the future of plant health monitoring, demonstrating that innovation and teamwork can lead to significant advancements in industrial maintenance.
