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October, 2014
MAINTENANCE MINUTE
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Welcome to the Centrifugal Blower Maintenance Minute,  
the 60 second newsletter designed specifically for centrifugal air & gas blower operators.  Each month we will feature a different aspect of service and maintenance to centrifugal blowers. We will review operation, troubleshooting, actual case histories, and answer reader questions.  

Blower Expansion Joints & Sleeves

 

 

There is not a lot of preventative maintenance to expansion joints and sleeves. All you can do is be sure they are installed correctly, that is, properly aligned. But they can be the cause of increased vibration levels and reduced flow problems. The key is to identify them as the cause.

 

The purpose of the flexible material connection is to isolate the blower from the building and its' piping system during operation by absorbing movement due to thermal growth and expansion. The Buna, or reinforced rubber, flex material is designed to withstand the heat, but it has a life span. Visual inspection for checks and cracking on the outside can be an easy indication of old age deterioration, but the inside can deteriorate much faster. Gas, moisture, and other contamination can severely weaken the interior surfaces, sometimes without any exterior wear.

 

The heat of operation can actually reduce, or eliminate any flexibility. This would increase the overall vibration, which in turn could increase bearing wear. If you find you are replacing bearings more frequently than you should be, take a closer look at the flexible isolation. Obviously, loose bolts and hose clamps can cause air leaking, but building foundations, concrete floors, and piping systems can also shift causing piping misalignment and added stress to the blower. I've seen plenty of piping support hangars pull out of the concrete ceilings, or support posts simply "loosen up".

 

Replacing expansion joints and pipe sleeves is relatively simple, just be sure to replace with the same type and size. However, if you have piping shifting that cannot be corrected, there are many types of "offset" couplings and sleeves that can be substituted instead. If the design application has changed, such as you are processing a different gas mixture, or the air temps are higher than original, you might want to review changing the design.

 

The first step in equipment preventative maintenance is identifying what can be done. Invest in PM, it will save you money!

 


� Copyright 2014 Snyder Technical Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved

                                                 --- Bill Snyder

Maintenance Minute is published each month by Snyder Technical Services, LLC and is based on the work of former Lamson National Service Manager, Bill Snyder.  Should you have any questions, or problems to discuss, please contact me. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Bill Snyder
Founder - Snyder Technical  Services, LLC 

Next Month: 


 

  

Foundations & Baseplates 

 
Thought for Today:

                                  

  

  

   The secret to the whitetails' success is simply his success at keeping secret. -- John Madsen


 

             


 


 

 

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