Evan B. Williams has been a Product requirements in the most efficient way possible. When
Design Engineer at FS-Elliott Company for addressing a SSV issue on an IGC one must keep in mind that
the last five years in the new product there can be multiple root causes and each call for a different
development group. His areas of expertise and sometimes unique approach to eliminate. Although some
include rotordynamics, vibration analysis, consider interpreting and diagnosing machinery vibration is an
gear design and conceptual compressor ‘art’, following a systematic approach will save time and
design. His role has allowed him to be money. This paper will review some of the known causes of
directly involved in all aspects of the SSV in IGC’s, typical characteristics of each, and how
design of a new compressor frame from the conceptual phase vibration monitoring techniques can be applied and interpreted
through the commissioning of the serial number one machine. in order to determine the root cause and solution. Several
Mr. Williams received his B.S. Degree (Mechanical examples will be presented to illustrate the vibration
Engineering, 2009) from West Virginia University. characteristics associated with the root cause.
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INTRODUCTION
John R. Badini is a Principle Engineer Subsynchronous vibration has received a large amount of
at FS-Elliott Company with 30- years of attention and research due to its potentially destructive nature
service. He is a registered Professional and often complex origin. Understanding this phenomenon
Engineer with the has expanded with continual advances in computing power,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His areas vibration monitoring capabilities and of course firsthand
of expertise include rotor dynamics, experience. This understanding must continue to grow as
acoustics, vibration analysis, modal new technologies and designs are implemented.
analysis, structural analysis and lubrication Historically, subsynchronous vibration issues become more
systems. He has worked on numerous frequent as the driven rotors are operated at higher speeds,
prototype development projects during his career, which become more flexible and lighter.
involved agricultural, mining, and turbomachinery. Mr. There are several sources of subsynchronous vibration in
Badini holds a U.S. Patent on a vibration isolation device IGC’s and most causes will have common vibration signatures
developed for agricultural equipment. Mr. Badini obtained his specific to it that can be used as a means to identify the root
B.S. Degree (Mechanical Engineering, 1972) from West cause or causes. In some cases the solution can be simple and
Virginia University. inexpensive, and others much more involved. Although SSV
___________________________________________________ can be destructive, research has shown that not all SSV is
necessarily unstable. Integrally geared compressors also have
ABSTRACT several design features that allow the variation of key process
Integrally geared centrifugal compressors (IGC’s) are a variables that will aid in identifying a solution to the SSV.
well-established and continually growing segment of the Below are four causes of SSV that are the primary focus of this
turbomachinery industry. They have proven to provide a high paper.
level of reliability, efficiency and design flexibility. Although 1. Rotordynamic Instability (Self-Excited)
the applications and technology of IGC’s have continued to 2. Looseness of bearings in their housings
grow and advance, there are few publications that address sub- 3. Insufficient Lubrication (Dry Friction)
synchronous vibration (SSV) specific to IGC’s. 4. Transmitted Vibration Interaction
Subsynchronous vibration can be either destructive or harmless
depending on the root cause. Misdiagnosing the root cause can The last section covers additional causes covered in less
lead to destructive failure or unnecessary design changes. As detail. There are resources available further detailing the
integrally geared compressor design and applications evolve theory involved with each of the topics discussed, but very few
traditional design limits are tested. Pressure ratios, rotor addressing them specific to IGC’s. This paper will provide an
flexibility, bearing loads and compressor operating range overview of causes of SSV specific to IGC’s, and better
continue to be increased to satisfy the end users process familiarize end users and machinery engineers with the
symptoms and possible solutions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS