Rotordynamics: March 18-21, 2019 | Houston, TX
Alberto A. Lopez has a new air of confidence after attending a three-day Rotordynamics short course hosted by the Turbomachinery Laboratory.
Lopez, a 2016 Texas A&M mechanical engineering graduate and engineer for Andeavor, said his team faced vibration issues with a recently-installed complex turbine compressor assembly. During breaks, Lopez conversed with his colleagues about the problem. He said the knowledge gained from the course and the perspectives of his fellow attendees helped him identify solutions before he had even completed the three days of training.
“I didn’t know how to troubleshoot or analyze a system like that before I came to Rotordynamics,” Lopez said. “Now I can bring some ideas to reduce the vibration of the equipment so it can run reliably and safely, too.”
The Turbo Lab’s Rotordyanmics course, offered each spring in Houston, is for beginning- and intermediate-level engineers in the petroleum, chemical, power and gas industries. It provides a basis for understanding the rotordynamics — the behavior and diagnosis — of turbines, compressors, expanders, motors, pumps and generators and their subcomponents to help select, analyze, troubleshoot and repair them for maximum reliability. The course is packed with case studies and workshops for hands-on evaluation of actual machines.
Malcolm Leader, owner of Applied Machinery Dynamics in Durango, Colo., has taught the course for ten years. He is involved in the design, testing, modification, and installation of rotating equipment, and has written several papers on experimental rotordynamics, bearing design, design audits for rotating equipment and practical implementation of rotordynamic programs.
“I hope what people get out of this course is the ability to go back to their jobs and use that knowledge in practically solving problems that crop up every day.”
Leader’s mission was accomplished for Lopez before he returned to the refinery.
“It’s important for mechanical engineers to develop these skills early on in our careers,” Lopez said. “This training has helped me develop a strong technical foundation so I can not only understand complex equipment, but so I can troubleshoot and improve reliability of critical components. If equipment goes down, the loss can be high. A course like this is a must-have tool for entry-level engineers.”
The Turbo Lab will offer the Rotordynamics short course again in March 2019. Visit https://turbolab.tamu.edu/short-courses/ for updates on upcoming courses and to view previously offered courses.
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Turbomachinery Laboratory makes a vital impact on turbomachinery and related industries through research, education and professional workforce development.
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It’s important for mechanical engineers to develop these skills early on in our careers. This training has helped me develop a strong technical foundation so I can not only understand complex equipment, but so I can troubleshoot and improve reliability of critical components. If equipment goes down, the loss can be high. A course like this is a must-have tool for entry-level engineers.
Alberto A. Lopez
Andeavor Energy