Assessment of Synthane mechanical equipment

The objective of this report is to provide a base-line condition assessment of the key equipment of the synthane process pilot plant based on a historical review of performance, vibration monitoring and a preliminary systems analysis. The historical review of equipment performance was conducted by reviewing all available maintenance and repair records filed at the Synthane pilot plant, interviewing key Maintenance and Operations personnel and observing repair and maintenance procedures where possible. Field vibration measurements of all major rotating components were made periodically to detect current and approaching equipment problems. An overview of the influence of mechanical equipment on plant performance was provided by a systems analysis. The process equipment was categorized according to subsystem function, design source and application to future-generation plants. The analysis was conducted by examining data from the plant operating log to clarify the causes and implications of important equipment-related events. The results of this base line condition assessment of the key equipment at the Synthane pilot plant emphasize the need to expand the objectives of future pilot and demonstration plants and provide for the following recommendations: include equipment performance and reliability objectives as an integral part of the operational program; maintain an effective maintenance andmore » repair data-collection system; conduct comprehensive equipment-failure analysis; establish structured corrective action procedures with high-level disposition; and conduct concurrent systems analysis and provide feedback to plant operations. The incorporation of these recommendations in future pilot and demonstration plants will yield major cost benefits in the operating phases of these programs and in future commercial plants.« less