HOERBIGER OFFERS NEW-GENERATION RECIPCOM
(Left) Hoerbiger RecipCOM technology: fast transmitter interface modules (TIMs) collect the op-
erating data of the reciprocating compressor collected remotely by sensors and forward data to
the equipment operator for evaluation. (Right) Demonstration compressor and RecipCOM —
new generation shown at the Achema 2009.
Online Monitoring and Machinery Protection of Recips
Reduces Costs and Increases Productivity
By Roberto Chellini
In 1998 Hoerbiger began offering a
reciprocating compressor monitoring
system with the intent of allowing operators to perform condition-based
maintenance on their machines. The
system targeted reducing operating
costs and maximizing production.
In 2006 Hoerbiger began offering
RecipCOM, a machinery protection
system to prevent catastrophic failures
of a compressor (see October 2006 COMPRESSORTechTwo, p. 96).
Advances in technology and capitalization of the experience gained on
the many applications of the system
has led the Austrian company to introduce a new generation of RecipCOM,
unifying both online monitoring and
machinery protection.
The new-generation RecipCOM is
specifically tailored to individual applications, which constantly keep the
operator informed on the status of
the compressor. Changes in the machine’s performance and in its efficiency levels are detected immediately. It is possible to exchange
information in real time with the
central operating room of the company or with Hoerbiger’s service
center in Vienna (online 24 hours a
day) if the customer has a service
partnership agreement.
Sensors placed on the compressor,
tailored to the application, supply the
information to the system.
On the previous generations, information was recorded every several
compressor revolutions. On the new
RecipCOM, performance information
is collected every revolution.
Detailed trends and single records
assist the operator in analyzing the
cause of the error. A new feature, the
basic mode allows the user to detect
faulty components at a glance within
seconds, while with the expert mode
it is possible to go back in history and
trace the route of the problem.
According to Hoerbiger, this enables
decisions to be made more efficiently
in the decision-making process.
An important innovation of the new
RecipCOM generation is the integrated machine protection system
compliant with IEC 61508, ANSI/ISA-
84 and API 670 standards. These standards ensure that every rotation is
monitored in real time and the compressor operation is safeguarded.
RecipCOM detects defective function in the early stages and reacts
proactively. This means that the
repair work can be better planned
and coordinated with production. The
benefits for the operator are obvious:
scheduled maintenance is much more
cost-effective than unplanned repair
and can be carried out when other areas of the facility are shut down. This
ensures that there is no additional loss
of production. Furthermore, the risk
of accidents at work is considerably
lower than with unplanned downtime
and the activities associated with it.
Another advantage offered by
RecipCOM is the maximum utilization
of wearing parts. Systematic checks
by RecipCOM allow service intervals
to be extended without increasing the
risk of breakdowns. This has a significant positive impact on the operator’s
maintenance budget: wearing parts
are only replaced when necessary.
From precise remote diagnosis to
remedying defects, the service and
optimization work carried out by
Hoerbiger on machines ensures that
the safety, reliability and productivity of
reciprocating compressors and the corresponding systems are optimized. ;
SEE DIRECTLINK AT
WWW.COMPRESSORTECH2.COM
