Blower Startup Procedures

Whether you are installing new, or moving existing equipment from one place to another, during the commissioning of blower/motor units it is critical that the installation is in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. There is a 'checklist' detailing all of the items that need to be approved, but most of the time, the inspection is just a matter of common sense.

I've found it is important that another pair of eyes, other than the contractor or customer, look at the installation. The ground needs to be solid concrete, or steel. Not a gravel bed on an incline!(Yes, I've seen it!). Vibration pads must equally distribute the weight. Motor conduit must be flexible, not hard piped. Is there any evidence of freight damage? Usually someone lower in the chain of command will admit "those marks are from when the fork truck dropped it while off-loading it from the truck." This has happened more than once.

Blwr X-jnt The inlet and outlet piping must be adequately supported. And it can't be from braces welded to the blower/motor baseplate! Flexible expansion joints at each end isolate the blower from the building piping preventing adverse vibration and resonance problems. Be sure the factory protective plastic is removed from the inlet filter element. Check valve alwaysgoes on the outlet end. All butterfly valves must be installed such that they open and close fully without interference.

Once the installation is verified OK, then the shaft is checked for free rotation, the coupling & flex elements are fastened securely, and the shaft alignment is within tolerance. There are many types of electrical controls, but basically, they need to start and stop the motor as designed. Whether there are automatic in and out valves, VFD's, or even computers, the controls are used to start the motor/blower unit and protect it from harm. You don't have to be an electrical geek to verify that blower surge, motor overload, bearing vibration & temperature monitoring protection, all operate as designed.

Prior to actual startup, I can't emphasize enough how important safety now comes in to play. Be sure you know where the inlet air or gas is coming from, and where it is being directed. Have all valves, blind flanges, and piping mounts been verified as completely installed. Be sure that no one is in harms way of the air or gas discharge. I once had a blind flange from a 24" diameter steel pipe 'blow out' because it was not tightened adequately. The explosion and realization of such a close call carries with you for a very long time!

Once proper rotation is verified and the unit is up and running, collection of baseline vibration and temperature data is crucial to your PM program. Maintaining a good preventative maintenance program for all of your rotating equipment is a great first step to "going green". Even minimal investment in PM saves big bucks in equipment repair and/or replacement.