VIBRATION BASICS &

COMPRESSOR VIBRATION
MEASUREMENTS

Muhammad Hussain Imran

 Introduction

◆ Traditionally, vibration has been

associated with trouble in machines.

◆ Nowadays, it has been used to save

industry millions of dollars in machine
downtime. Reasons for this are due to the
fact it used as a key part of many
maintenance programs.
The Three Fundamental Characteristics of
Vibration Are:

◆ Amplitude

◆ Frequency

◆ Phase
Amplitude

Amplitude tells us
how much movemen
occurs

Amplitude is the
maximum value of
vibration at a location
on the machine.
Frequency

Frequency tells us how

often the movement occurs

How many cycles in a

period of time
( a second or a minute)
 Phase
Phase tells us in what direction is the movement.

Phase is the time relationship, measured in

degrees, of vibrations of the same frequency.

Measured with Keyphasor in most applications.

Expressed in degrees.
 Phase Measurement
◆ Phase is a means of determining the Relative motion of two or more
vibrating machine parts.

◆ Phase readings only have meaning when compared to other phase

readings with a common reference.

◆ Comparative phase readings show “how” the machine is vibrating.

Vibration Characteristics (Amplitude)

Displacement - measures the total distance that the body

(shaft / housing) travels back and forth during one 'cycle' of
movement.

This movement is measured in mils (0.001”) Peak - Peak or

microns ųm (0.001mm) Peak - Peak.

Displacement measurement is used on Dresser-Rand

Centrifugal Compressors.
 Casing to Rotor Weight Ratio
◆ Dresser Rand B-line compressor.
Casing weight is very high.

◆ Rotor weight is significantly less.

◆ Therefore a rotor vibration

problem will not transmit high
levels to the casing.

◆ Due to this fact, Displacement of

the rotor inside the bearings gives
the best indication of machine
faults.
 Vibration Measurement

◆ Mechanical vibration is measured by a Transducer (Also called a Pick-Up or Sensor)

that converts vibration motion to an electrical signal.

◆ The units of the electrical signal are Volts (V), or more typically, millivolts (mV).
1000mV = 1V.

◆ The measured signal in volts is sent to the meter or analyzer. The amplitude of vibration
is determined by dividing the magnitude of the Voltage by a scale factor in mV/mil,
mV/IPS or mV/g or some other ratio that relates to the sensor being used.
 Phase Measurement

◆ The phase angle of two signals indicates their relationship to each other in time. Phase
relationship can indicate machinery problems such as misalignment, frequency of a
critical speed or the location of a heavy spot for balancing.

◆ Phase is often measured from a reference signal generated one per shaft revolution by
a stationary sensor. e.g. keyphasor or tachometer, looking at a key-way or reflective
tape on the shaft.

◆ The reference signal relates to the zero angular position on the shaft. The phase of the
vibration signal is measured in respect to this position on the shaft.
 Proximity Probes
◆ Proximity probes, also
called non-contacting eddy
current displacement
probes, are attached to the
bearing housing and
measure shaft vibration
relative to the location of
the probe.

◆ Two Probes are usually mounted 90º to each other. The horizontal probe X is always to the
right of the vertical probe Y when viewed from the drive end of the machine.
 X and Y Proximity probes

◆ Proximity probes
installed at NDE of
centrifugal compressor.
Proximity Probes Convention

◆ X is always on the right-hand side when viewed from the driver

Proximity Probe Principle
Axial Proximity probes monitor the
shafts axial position
 X, Y and Axial probes

◆ NDE of compressor
with X, Y and axial
probes installed.
 Typical On-line system Display

◆ Typical display from

and online protection
system.

◆ Overall vibration levels

are displayed along
with any alarms.
An on-line protection system
On-line protection system

◆ Expensive - Usually reserved for large critical machines.

◆ Linked to DCS and a specified level of vibration can trip the
machine.
◆ Data can be stored and trended over a period of time.
◆ Data can be extracted for analysis.
◆ Other analyzers are able to tap into the system to record and
extract vibration data.
Vibration Analysis

DRAP 2007
 Bently Adre vibration analyzer

◆ Relatively portable.

◆ Taps into buffered

output of existing
online system.

◆ Can acquire 8 – 16
channels
simultaneously.

◆ Used for frequency

analysis
 The Significance of Frequency

◆ Essential for pinpointing the cause of machinery vibration problems.

◆Many vibration problems exhibit frequencies related to the rotational

speed's of the machine.

◆ Identification of frequencies can narrow down the possible causes of

the vibration.
 Frequency

◆That number - how many cycles occur in a given time period - is known as
the vibration "frequency".

◆ UNITS
◆ Cycles per minute (CPM)
◆ Cycles per second (CPS) – or Hertz (Hz)
◆ Orders (Multiples of shaft speed)
 Excitation
◆ The purpose of vibration analysis is to identify defects and evaluate machine
condition.

◆ Frequencies are used to relate machine faults to forces that cause vibration.

◆ Forces / vibration are often a result of machine defects, wear or installation issues
such as looseness or misalignment.

◆ Because vibration is in some way related to the operating speed it is important to

obtain machine running speeds when doing vibration analysis.
Time Waveform (Displacement)

◆ Waveform is the plot of amplitude v time.

The Frequency Spectrum

◆ Spectrum is the plot of frequency v amplitude.

Orbit Plot
 Transient or Steady-State
◆ Most machinery analyzers/software today gather snapshots of vibration data over a certain period
of time. As technology improves, high powered analyzers and software have reduced the time in
which data can be collected. This is good news for Condition Monitoring Engineers involved in
data collection.

◆ When a machine is running at its normal speed and operating condition, acquiring short data
snapshots is usually sufficient for condition monitoring programs and to diagnose many different
kinds of machine faults.

◆ When a machine is running at a constant speed and load/ condition, it is said to be running in a
Steady- State. Data collected in this state is Steady-State data.
 Transient or Steady-State
◆ Transient data is data that is recorded as the machine undergoes some changes in condition.
Examples of changes in condition are changes in speed or changes in load. A Machine being
started-up or shut down and machines being loaded or unloaded are examples of machines in
a transient state.

◆ When dealing with certain types of machines (turbines/ compressors), it takes a considerable
amount of time for a machine to start-up or for a machine to become fully loaded. In this case,
data snapshots are not sufficient to gather enough data. To gather good transient data will
require an analyzer with a large memory or a tape recorder function.

◆ The reason for being able to gather good transient data is that some faults can be more easily
diagnosed by analyzing transient data. These include resonance, rub, process related issues
and electrical faults.
 Transient Data – Bode Plot

◆ Bode plot is a dual plot of

phase and amplitude.

◆ When a machine passes its

critical speed the phase
changes 180 degrees and
the vibration will peak.

◆ In this example the critical

speed is 860rpm.
 Resonance
◆ Every physical object has a natural frequency and it is the frequency that it will oscillate
at if excited by a force. Resonance is a condition that results in the amplification of
vibration when the forcing frequency is close to or at a natural frequency.

Resonance
Amplitude Amplitude

Excitation Force

Excitation Force

Nf Nf

Freq Freq
 Some considerations of Resonance
◆ More often than not, the natural frequency, or critical speed is not known.

◆ One way to try and find out is to conduct a critical speed test. These are also called start-up or
coast-down tests and are done by monitoring the vibration as the machine speed changes.

◆ Usually the machine will be running at MCOS, the vibration equipment will be set up and the
recording begins.

◆ When all parties are ready, the machine can be shut off and when any excitation force coincides
with a natural frequency we will see a change in conditions. Usually, when this happens there will be
a sudden change in vibration amplitude and/or phase.
 Resonance – Example 1
◆ In this example, the machine is operating above the first critical speed. If we were to
conduct a coast down test, we should see an increase in vibration once the speed
comes close to the natural frequency.

Amplitude Amplitude

Excitation Force
Excitation Force

Nf Nf

Freq Freq
 Resonance – Example 2
◆ In this example, the machine is operating very close to or at the first critical speed. If
we were to conduct a coast down test, we should see a sharp decrease in vibration
once the speed comes out of the natural frequency zone.

Excitation Force

Amplitude Amplitude

Excitation Force

Nf Nf

Freq Freq
Transient Data- Waterfall plots
Centerline Plots
Cascade Plots
Transient Data – Time Trend.
Common Machine Faults -
Unbalance

DRAP 2007
 Unbalance

◆ Unequal radial mass distribution on a rotor

system;

◆ A shaft condition where the mass centerline

(principal axis of inertia) does not coincide
with the geometric centerline. [Eccentricity of
local center of gravity (c.g.) of rotor from
undisturbed axis of rotation.]
 Unbalance

◆ Spectrums in radial direction show dominant 1x vibration

 Unbalance

◆ Orbit shapes are wide and

circular.

◆ Phase difference is close to 90

degrees on the same bearing.
Unbalance

◆ Different types of
unbalance.

◆ Phase information
is vital to
determine which is
present and to
carry out
corrections.
Balancing Practical Exercise 1

DRAP 2007
 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

Rotation

60 30

75 28

90 0 27
90

105 25

24
120

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

Rotation

60 30

75 28

90 0 27
90

105 25

24
120

Ref Run: 5 mils @ 190º

135 150 165 180 195 210 225
 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

TW = 75g @ 30º

Rotation

60 30

75 28

90 0 27
90

105 25

24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

TW = 75g @ 30º

Rotation

60 30

75 28

90 0 27
90

105 25

Trial Run: 3 mils @ 150º

24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

TW = 75g @ 30º

Rotation

60 30

75 28

90 0 27
90

105
Angle measured = 36º 25
Trial Run

Effect of TW = 3.4 mils

Effect of TW = 36º
24
120 3.4 mils

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

TW = 75g @ 30º

Rotation

60 Angle measured = 36º 30

Effect of TW = 3.4 mils @ 46º

75 28

Effect of TW 36º

90 0 27
90

105 Trial Run 25

Effect of TW 36º
24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

TW = 75g @ 30º

orrection Weight = (Ref/ Effect of TW) x TW Rotation

60 30

W = (5/3.4) x 75g

75 28

Effect of TW 36º

90 0 27
90

105 Trial Run 25

Effect of TW 36º
24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

CW = 110g @ 354º
TW = 75g @ 30º

orrection Weight = (Ref/ Effect of TW) x TW Rotation

60 30

W = (5/3.4) x 75g

W = 110g @ (390º - 36 º)
75 28

Effect of TW 36º
W = 110g @ 354º (TW MUST BE REMOVED)

90 0 27
90

105 Trial Run 25

Effect of TW 36º
24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 45 30 15 0 345 330 315

CW = 110g @ 354º
TW = 75g @ 30º

Rotation

60 30

75 28

Effect of TW 36º

90 0 27
90

105 Trial Run 25

Effect of TW 36º
24
120

Ref

135 150 165 180 195 210 225

 Balancing Case study
◆ This is a real life case where in-situ balancing was done on the coupling of a
Turbo driven Compressor.

◆ Initial Vibration analysis showed high levels at the Power Turbine bearing
closest to the coupling.

◆ In the current situation the machine can not be run up to full operating speed
without tripping due to high vibration.

◆ In-situ balancing was done in an attempt to reduce the vibration experienced

on this machine.
◆ Large round orbit plot
from PT brg.

◆ 90º phase difference

between X and Y probes
◆ Spectrum shows high
amplitude 1x rpm peak.

◆ All the hallmarks of an

unbalance problem.
 Balancing Case study
◆ Balancing would be
attempted by mounting
weights in these holes in
the coupling.

◆ Weights will be grub

screws.

◆ There are ten holes

around the coupling for
weight application.
 8
9 7
0
Rotation

◆ The coupling was

already marked from
a previous job.

10 6
◆ The number 8 lined
up with the
keyphasor so it
becomes our ZERO. 90 27

1 5

2 180
4
3
 8
9 7
0
Rotation

10 6

90 270
Ref Run: 2.04 mils @ 252º

1 5

180
2 4
3
 8
9 7
0
Rotation

TW = 1.9 @ 18º

10 6

90 270
Ref Run: 2.04 mils @ 252º

1 5

Trial Run: 2.04 mils @ 206º

180
2 4
3
 8
9 7
0
Rotation

TW = 1.9 @ 18º

10 6

90 270
Ref Run: 2.04 mils @ 252º

67º
1 5
Angle measured = 67º

Effect of TW = 1.61 mils

Trial Run: 2.04 mils @ 206º

180
2 4
3
 8
9 7
0
Rotation

TW = 1.9 @ 18º

10 6

90 270
67º Ref Run: 2.04 mils @ 252º

67º
1 5
Angle measured = 67º

Effect of TW = 1.61 mils

Trial Run: 2.04 mils @ 206º

180
2 4
3
 Balancing Case study
◆ How Much should the correction weight be?

◆ Where will it be located?

◆ What problems do you face with this situation?

 Balancing Case study
◆ Vibration after balancing.
 Machine Evaluation
And
Vibration Standards & Tolerances

DRAP 2007
 Vibration Standards & Tolerances
◆ Transducers and Machinery analyzers provide the data that is evaluated against standards
and limits to help judge the machine condition.

◆ Overall levels of vibration are typically judged in terms of limits: Acceptance of new
machines, normal, surveillance and shutdown.

◆ Usually the levels are compared over some period of time to establish trends.

◆ Levels of overall vibration will be in either Peak-Peak, Peak or RMS.

 Vibration Standards & Tolerances
◆ Guidelines for acceptable vibration levels are based on shaft or casing vibration
measurements.

◆ Shaft vibration is used to asses the condition of machines with fluid film bearings with large
relative motion in the bearings and with a high casing to rotor weight ratio.

◆ Casing and bearing cap vibration is used on general machines with rolling element bearings
as part of most condition monitoring programs.
 Evaluation of Shaft Vibration
◆ Shaft vibration is measured with proximity probes that are mounted as close as possible to th
bearings.

◆ When two probes are used at the bearing, an orbit of the shafts motion can be determined as
well as the position of the shaft inside the bearing.

◆ From this information, accurate assessment of bearing condition can be made from the
measurements.
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