Do you have an asset management strategy?
Plant operations and maintenance teams often have different short term priorities when it comes to a process plant’s assets. Whereas operations departments demand production process machinery is as productive as possible, maintenance teams demand the condition of equipment is protected through regular maintenance to prevent degradation. However, in the longer term both teams actually have the same goal: maximum machine uptime.
Despite this common long term goal, a number of factors prevent operations and maintenance teams achieving this in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. In many cases, these factors are a result of an inadequate asset management strategy, such as a reactive or time-based maintenance programmes.
By contrast, predictive maintenance detects problems before they cause failure. Operations and maintenance departments are able to then work together to schedule an agreed time for maintenance. This is a more effective and safer option, which enables essential maintenance work to be completed with minimal disruption to productivity.
Vibration monitoring using vibration sensors – also known as accelerometers – is an important part of predictive maintenance. Vibration sensors detect imbalance, bearing condition and misalignment, so maintenance teams are aware of any issues prior to failure. In a reactive maintenance programme maintenance costs are high and plant availability is low, but by resolving problems before they affect productivity then maintenance costs are reduced significantly and plant availability can be maximised – helping both operations and maintenance teams achieve their long term goal.
