Condition monitoring spin for centrifuges
22 Aug 2000
Another aid to prolonging the life of process equipment was unveiled at Achema by Alfa Laval. Its Cosmos condition monitoring system is aimed at users of the company's centrifugal separators and decanters. An on-line system, Cosmos continuously monitors the working parts of these high speed machines.
Knowing the severity of the problem and how long the machine can run before repairs are needed makes it possible to plan downtime.
Cosmos consists of a computer, a data receiving unit and a number of sensors. It can monitor up to 512 separators and decanters at the same time, either on-site or remotely. Building on the success of the system - already in use in many applications such as breweries and pharmaceuticals - Alfa Laval has launched Total Care Agreements, whereby the company agrees to take full operational responsibility for its customers' separators and decanters. The agreements are based on making maintenance and repairs condition-based rather than time-based. (See p32 for further developments in this area).
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