Texas A&M Turbomachinery Laboratory (TurboLab)
Texas A&M University • 3254 TAMU • College Station, Texas 77843-3254
Phone: 979-845-7417 • Fax: 979-847-9500 • Web: http://turbolab.tamu.edu/
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Discussion Groups

About Discussion Groups

  • The discussion groups are structured to address and solve the problems brought by attendees for examination. Discussion group participants bring many years of experience to the sessions.
  • This is your opportunity to get and give help. Bring your problems to the discussion groups, and you will go home with proven solutions from your pump colleagues.
  • Discussion Group topics are suggestions only. Actual topics discussed will be determined by those attending each session.

DOWNLOAD the Turbo 37 Program PDF

Below is the list of discussion groups that will be presented at the 37th Turbomachinery Symposium:

Discussion Group 1: Turbomachinery Operation and Maintenance

  • Tuesday, September 9, 8:45-10:15, Room 361A

Discussion Leaders:
Charlie Rutan, Coordinator, Lyondell/Equistar Chemicals LP, Alvin, TX, Jim Elmore, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Wilmington, DE, Rainer Kurz, Coordinator, Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA, and Joe Moreno, Lyondell

Suggested Topics:

● Preventive/predictive maintenance programs
● Analysis of turbomachinery vibration problems
● Balancing
● Lubricants
● Component failures		● Spare parts sorting
● Machine alignment
● Repair techniques
● Auxiliary systems reliability

Discussion Group 2: Monitoring Vibration and Other Critical Machine Conditions

  • Tuesday, September 9, 8:45-10:15, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Steve Locke, Coordinator, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Old Hickory, TN, Francisco Gonzalez, Enterprise Products Company, Houston, TX, and Ed Watson, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Application of permanently mounted vibration instrumentation
● Hardware and software in use, alarm and shutdown criteria
● Management of safety interlocks on vibration systems		● Tools and techniques used to analyze data
● Monitoring thermodynamic performance and other critical variables
● Monitoring lube oil condition, sampling and online methods

Discussion Group 3: Machinery Purchasing

  • Tuesday, September 9, 8:45-10:15, Room 351D

Discussion Leaders:
Kazim Akhtar, Coordinator, ABB Lummus Global, Houston, TX, Cyrus Meher-Homji, Coordinator, Allen Glenn, Shell Oil Products US, Houston, TX, Terryl Matthews, Shell Global Solution US Inc., Houston, TX, Rick Powell, Dow Chemical, Brian Setzenfand, Elliott Turbomachinery Co., Jeannette, PA, Mike Thuillez, GE Energy Oil & Gas, Houston, TX, and Van Wilkinson, Shell Global Solution US Inc., Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Integration of technical and commercial aspects -- How do you make it work?
● Pricing methodologies (lump sum, cost plus, cost savings sharing agreements, etc.)
● Spare parts philosophy and inventory management
● Operations, maintenance, and service agreements (based on reliability, MTBR, etc.)
● Collaborative facility design with OEM input		● Division of contractual responsibilities between OEM, owner/operator, A/E contractor
● Performance clauses and guarantees in purchase contracts (aerodynamic, reliability, etc.)
● Development of supplier alliances
● Total cost of ownership
● Global supplier base
● Utilization of e-commerce


Discussion Group 4: Overspeed Trip Systems

  • Wednesday, September 10, 10:30-12:00, Room 361A

Discussion Leaders:
Bruce Bayless, Coordinator, Valero Energy Corp., San Antonio, TX, Tim Christ, Coordinator, The Dow Chemical Co., Freeport, TX, and Tom Hess, DuPont, Engineering Research & Technology, Wilmington, DE

Suggested Topics:

● Trip testing frequency
● New API 670 requirements
● Response time requirements
● New API 612 requirements		● ASME Power Test Code 20.2
● Mechanical versus electronic (pros and cons)
● Testing methods (full test or simulated)


Discussion Group 5: Hot Gas Expanders

  • Wednesday, September 10, 8:30-10:00, Room 361A

Discussion Leaders:
Mike Drosjack, Coordinator, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., Houston, TX, and Lil Kassie, Coordinator, BP Amoco, Whiting, IN, Joe Brittain, Brittain Consulting PC, Naperville, IL
Ben Carbonetto, GE Oil&Gas, Bethlehem, PA, Chuck Kostors, Consultant, Greensburg, PA
Bob Kranz, Valero Benecia Refinery, Benicia, CA, George Seamon, Dresser-Rand Co., Olean, NY

Suggested Topics:

● Operating run length and reliability
● Fouling and cleaning
● Operating requirements
● Discussion of failures
● Monitoring instrumentation
● Erosion not related to catalyst		● Piping/duct related problems (hangers, expansion joints, nozzle loads, etc.)
● Effectiveness of internal cooling configurations
● Alignment
● Rubs -- where do they occur
● Case leaks and solutions

Discussion Group 6: Dry Gas Seals

  • Tuesday, September 9, 10:30-12:00, Room 361A
  • Wednesday, September 10, 2:00-3:30, Room 361A

Discussion Leaders:
Pete Rasmussen, Coordinator, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., Houston, TX, Bernard Quoix, Coordinator, TOTAL, Pau, France, Dag Calafell, ExxonMobil Production Co., Houston, TX, Joe Delrahim, John Crane Inc., Morton Grove, IL, John Marta, Flowserve Corp., Littleton, CO, Michael Sattler, Burgmann Industries GmbH & Co, KG, Wolfratshausen, Germany, John Stahley, Dresser-Rand Co., Olean, NY, and Rich Wilson, Valero, Delaware City, Delaware

Suggested Topics:

● Dry gas seals operating characteristics
● Field problems and experiences
● Effects of gas contamination
● Shutdown problems		● Control systems
● Tandem versus single
● Applications

Discussion Group 7: Gas Turbine and Combined Cycles

  • Tuesday, September 9, 10:30-12:00, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Meherwan Boyce, Coordinator, The Boyce Consultancy, Houston, TX, and Rainer Kurz, Coordinator, Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA

Suggested Topics:

● Issues with new technology
● OEM versus non OEM repair techniques
● Parts and service shops		● Water washing, fuel gas heating, air filtration
● Design improvements (i.e., blade design, coatings, etc.)
● LTSAs versus inhouse maintenance

Discussion Group 8: Couplings and Alignment

  • Tuesday, September 9, 10:30-12:00, Room 351D

Discussion Leaders:
Tom Davidson, Coordinator, The Linde Group, Houston, TX, Terry Roehm, Marathon Oil Co., Houston, TX, Joe Corcoran, Kop-Flex Emerson Power Transmission, Baltimore, MD, David Littlefield, The Dow Chemical Co., Freeport, TX, Terryl Matthews, Shell Global Solution US Inc., Houston, TX, and Todd Stevens, Shell Deer Park Refining Co., Deer Park, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Coupling selection and specification
● Coupling installation procedures and assembly tolerances
● Coupling balancing procedure and tolerances
● Alignment fixtures and equipment, and tolerances
● Retrofit from gear to nonlubricated
● Disk coupling versus diaphragm coupling
● Torque monitoring
● Coupling guard designs
● Hub/shaft fits
● Pipestrain/nozzle loads
● Coupling guard designs
● Hub/shaft fits
● Pipe strain/nozzle loads

Discussion Group 9: Performance Testing

  • Tuesday, September 9, 2:00-3:30, Room 361A

Discussion Leaders:
Meherwan Boyce, Coordinator, The Boyce Consultancy, Houston, TX, Doug Petrie, Coordinator, GE Energy Oil and Gas, Houston, TX, Gary Colby, Dresser Rand, Olean, NY, and Rich Lewis, Dow Chemical, Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Shop testing codes/arrangements
● Performance trending versus performance testing during operation
● Pros and cons of field versus shop performance testing
● Test instrumentation - shop versus field and accuracy/uncertainty
● Power measurement - torquemeters and other methods
● Data acquisition and reduction techniques

Discussion Group 10: Gears

  • Wednesday, September 10, 8:30-10:00, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Cliff Cook, Coordinator, CVC Engineering, Houston, TX, Ken Beckman, Coordinator, Lufkin Industries, Inc., Lufkin, TX, Royce Brown, and Ed Wilcox, Chevron Energy Technology Co., Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● New API 617 integral gear requirements
● Contact checking modified lead gears
● Quality assurance documentation and tolerances		● Allowable cold backlash
● Apex wobble measurement and tolerance
● Operational and maintenance problems

Discussion Group 11: Reciprocating Compressors

  • Wednesday, September 10, 8:30-10:00, Room 351D
  • Wednesday, September 10, 2:00-3:30, Room 351D

Discussion Leaders:
Bruce Bayless, Coordinator, Valero Energy Corp., San Antonio, TX, George Lentek, Dresser-Rand, Olean, NY, Don Smith, EDI, San Antonio, TX, and Lloyd Strown, IndServ, LLC, Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Valve design, reliability, and fouling
● Condition monitoring
● Fugitive emissions
● Grouting and frame alignment
● Bolting
● Sensor networks for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
● Baseplate design		● Labyrinth compressors
● Risk based maintenance
● High speed units
● Liquid protection
● Types of valves and material selection
● Rider band and types of rod packing
● Expert systems

Discussion Group 12: Steam Turbines

  • Wednesday, September 10, 2:00-3:30, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Vinod Patel, Coordinator, KBR, Houston, TX, Stanley Stevenson, Siemens Demag Delaval, Trenton, NJ, Bob Bishop, ExxonMobil Chemical, Southampton, UK, and Doug Leonard, ExxonMobil Mfg., Singapore

Suggested Topics:

● Overhaul intervals
● Maintenance practices
● Solid particle erosion
● Contract versus inhouse maintenance		● Mechanical driver turbine issues
● Steam path repairs
● Turbine casing and alignment issues

Discussion Group 13: Magnetic Bearings

  • Tuesday, September 9, 2:00-3:30, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Gampa Bhat, Coordinator, ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Baytown, TX, Hans Weyermann, Coordinator, ConocoPhillips, Houston, TX, and Stan Uptigrove, Flowserve Corp., Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:

● Magnetic bearing operating characteristics
● Field problems and experiences		● Shutdown problems
● Control recommendations

Discussion Group 14: Wet and Dry Screw Compressors

  • Wednesday, September 10, 10:30-12:00, Room 361B

Discussion Leaders:
Don Smith, Coordinator, Engineering Dynamics Inc., San Antonio, TX, John Whalen, Coordinator, Turbo Components & Engineering, Houston, TX, Kevin Kisor, MAN TURBO Inc., USA, Houston, TX, Jigger Jumonville, Mafi-Trench, Mafi-Trench, Santa Maria, CA, and DG14 - Mark Sandberg, ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Co., Houston, TX

Suggested Topics:


● API Standard 619 for screw compressors
● Silencers for dry screw compressors
● System piping vibration
● Noise reduction methods		● Lubricants and lubricant carryover for flooded screw compressors
● Overcompression and undercompression
● Allowable pulsation levels


Discussion Group 15: Turbomachinery Bearings and Annular Seals

  • Wednesday, September 10, 8:30-10:00, Room 351E

Discussion Leaders:
Tom Davidson, Coordinator, The Linde Group, Pasadena, TX, John Whalen, Coordinator, Turbo Components & Engineering, Houston, TX, Ed Alvarez, Quadrant Engineering Plastics Products, Evergreen, CO, and Scan DeCamillo, Kingsbury, Philadelphia, PA

Suggested Topics:

● Turbomachinery bearings
- Sleeve and tilting pad journal bearings
- Tilting pad and fixed geometry thrust bearings
- Babbitt bearing failures
- Bearing upgrades
- Clearances
- Installation
- Oil		● Annual seals
- Polymer seals
- Centrifugal compressor applications
- Designing an upgrade
- Polymer material selection
- Temperature concerns
- Chemical compatibility
- Oil film seals
- Labyrinth seals
- Bearing housing seals

Discussion Group 16: Integrally Geared Compressors

  • Wednesday, September 10, 10:30-12:00, Room 351D

Discussion Leaders:
Ken Beckman, Coordinator, Lufkin Industries, Inc., Lufkin, TX, Stanley Stevenson, Coordinator, Siemens Demag Delaval Turbomachinery, Inc., Trenton, NJ, Bradley Addison, DuPont, and Carl Schwarz, Praxair, Inc., Tonawanda, NY

Suggested Topics:

● How to specify an integrally geared compressor
● Typical process applications
● Controlling an integral gear compressor		● API Standard 617
● Rotordynamic considerations

Discussion Group 17: High Pressure Centrifugal Compressor Stability

  • Tuesday, September 9, 2:00-3:30, Room 351D

Discussion Leaders:
Mike Drosjack, Coordinator, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., Houston, TX, Pete Rasmussen, Coordinator, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., Houston, TX, Urs Baumann, ManTurbo, Zurich, Switzerland, John Kocur, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering, Fairfax, VA, Mark Kuzdzal, Dresser-Rand, Olean, NY, Mike Pepper, ExxonMobil Production Co., Houston, TX, Alberto Tesei, GE Oil&Gas, Florence, Italy, and Norbert Wagner, Siemens AG, Duisburg, Germany

Suggested Topics:

● API rotordynamics standard paragraphs
- Stability requirements
- Application limits
- API Level II requirement clarity
- Potential enhancements
● Research programs
- Southwest Research Institute
- Texas A&M
- University of Virginia
- Others?
● State of university programs to "grow" staff
● Industry problems
● Industry developments



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