Centrifuge Compressor Performance Improvement Case Study

This case study documents the performance improvement achieved by a chemical company operating a centrifugal compressor. The company reported savings of $332,000 by extending the equipment's life and preventing shutdowns. The issue arose from elevated bearing temperatures, which indicated high temperature deposits on the bearings. After identifying excess NOx leakage into the oil, the Mobil Serv Engineering team was engaged to recommend a solution. They suggested a 30% bleed and feed strategy, along with the addition of Solvancer-based oil soluble cleaning technology to dissolve deposits and reduce temperatures. The team also recommended using Mobil Serv Lubrication Analysis to monitor varnish mitigation and detect NOx carry-over proactively. The implementation of these recommendations effectively mitigated alarms and addressed the temperature escalation, allowing the system to remain operational while maximizing production. The case study highlights the significant cost savings and maintenance flexibility achieved through these interventions.