Large air compressor stalls due to surging
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I’m seeking help from everyone. A few days ago, at 11:31 a.m., the main air compressor in the middle shift suddenly stopped operating, with a sudden \"bong\" sound right before it stopped. Immediately afterwards, the entire air separation unit stopped operating. I went to the local instrument control panel to check the readings: 1) The time when this issue occurred was 23:31:43; 2) Motor current was lost at 23:30:56; 3) A low oil pressure alarm was triggered at 23:30:56; 4) The minimum load increase was recorded at 23:30:55; 5) Surge occurred at 23:30:55. I then called an electrician to verify that there were no problems with the high-voltage supply. That day, the opening degree of the inlet valve was around 63, and the air intake volume was approximately 22,000. I would like to ask everyone what could be the cause of this?
1. Generally, when interlocks occur in other units or systems, the air compressor simply shuts down, so other faults can be ruled out. 2. Were the parameters in the air compressor shutdown logic normal at that time? 3. Please have the electrical and instrumentation team check the circuits, switchgear, etc., to see if there are any faults. 4. Check the external power grid to determine if there are any power outages or voltage fluctuations.
1. When the electrician came around, he checked the electrical circuit; the switchgear as well as the soft starter of the large air compressor were all functioning normally. After restarting the equipment, it was tested and both the intake valve and the exhaust valve worked properly. 2. The external power supply was also checked by calling the dispatch center, and no issues were found. I’m not quite sure about points 1 and 2, sorry about that. But I went to inspect the large air compressor around 10:50, and it was working fine
Does a 1 mean it’s just a fault code related to the air compressor itself? Is it not due to other reasons related to other air separation equipment?
Yes, for example, shutdowns caused by high vibration levels, high shaft temperatures, high intake air temperatures, etc~~
If compressor, electronic control, and power grid issues are ruled out, then check for voltage fluctuations, such as those that cause other machines to shut down simultaneously~~
Okay, I’ll go ask tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s available. If not, could it be that there is a system failure in the instrument control cabinet? Can this be analyzed and detected? Also, I’m not quite sure how a low oil pressure alarm can occur
In the case of remote startup, if the local control cabinet is not used, the possibility of shutdown caused by instruments and valves (guide vanes, relief valves) is low; however, there is a possibility of shutdown due to instrument failures, such as vibration or incorrect temperature readings. As for low oil pressure, it is caused by a temporary loss of pressure when the main oil pump is switched to the auxiliary oil pump~~
I think you should properly summarize what the conditions are for contacting parking. Then check them one by one.
Since it was turned on just about 3 days after being overhauled and cleaned, and all aspects have been checked and found to be fine, I wonder if it might be a system issue. Thank you for the suggestion, haha