The Turbomachinery Laboratory makes a vital impact on the turbomachinery, pump and related industries through three pathways: research, education, and workforce development. As part of its workforce development arm, the Turbo Lab offers extended short courses throughout the year led by industry experts and academics. Courses range from three-to-five days and offer working professionals valuable education opportunities in an interactive environment. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are awarded upon course completion.
Short Courses are also offered in conjunction with the Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia and Asia Turbomachinery & Pump Symposium.
Course History
Centrifugal Compressor Operations for 21st Century Users (CCOPS)
Entry-level professionals will accelerate their understanding of the technology and how it is used in oil & gas applications. Experienced professionals will enhance their knowledge of current technologies and methods, enabling more effective project performance and/or maintenance strategies. All participants will add to their network of industry professionals and be able to share ideas, experiences and questions.
Previous courses
2023: April 17-20 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2022: April 4-7 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2021: August 23-26 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2020: October 12-15 | Virtual | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2019: March 18-21 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2018: March 20-23 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Mark Sandberg, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
2016: March 22-24 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Jim Sorokes, Pete Rasmussen, Jeff Moore, Jigger Jumonville
Rotordynamics
The Turbo Lab’s Rotordynamics course, offered each spring, 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 instructed 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.
Previously offered courses
2023: April 17-20 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2022: April 4-7 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2021: August 23-26 | Houston, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2020: October 12-15 | Virtual | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2019: March 18-21 | Houston, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2018: March 20-23 | Houston, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2017: March 21-24 | Houston, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
2016: March 22-25 | Houston, Texas | Instructor: Malcolm Leader
Reciprocating Machinery Dynamics
The course is intended for engineers/analysts who work with plant machinery and piping and must make decisions about the reliability and safety of systems experiencing high vibration.
Previous courses
2023: April 17-20 | San Antonio, Texas | Instructors: Troy Feese, Kyle Kuecker, Charles Hill, Kile Watson, and Stephen Price
Vibration Problems and Solutions in Turbomachinery and Centrifugal Pumps
The course covers intermediate and advanced techniques for measuring, interpreting, and mediating vibration in turbomachinery and centrifugal pumps. The new method of
motion-amplified video is explained and demonstrated. Modern troubleshooting methods and fixes are provided, with many case histories.
The Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M University, in partnership with the Vibration Institute and the Hydraulic Institute is proud to present a SHORT COURSE at the Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology’s 2019 Conference, Crown Plaza Philadelphia.
Previously offered courses:
2019: May 13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Instructors: Maki Onari & William D. Marscher
Machinery Vibration and Rotordynamics
The course is designed to benefit both young engineers and veterans who want to freshen their skills and learn about what practices are helping others achieve success. During the four days, the course will cover basic vibration theory and how to use it to solve mechanical vibration problems experienced in the field. Rotordynamics terminology in common use will be defined and explained, including critical speeds, critical speed inversion, unbalance response and rotordynamic instability.
In addition to walking away with extensive practical knowledge, attendees of the course are also given the opportunity to interact and network with instructors and colleagues.
Previously offered courses
2023: January 16-20 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andrés, Dr. Fouad Zeidan and Dr. Adolfo Delgado
2021: August 2-5 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andrés, Dr. Fouad Zeidan and Dr. Adolfo Delgado
2020: January 6-10 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andrés, Dr. Fouad Zeidan and Dr. Adolfo Delgado
2019: January 7-11 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andrés, Dr. Fouad Zeidan and Dr. Adolfo Delgado
2018: January 22-26 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andrés, Dr. Fouad Zeidan, Dr. Burga Ertas and Dr. Adolfo Delgado
2017: January 9-13 | Houston, Texas | Instructors: Dr. Dara W. Childs, Dr. Luis San Andres, Burga Ertas, Dr. Brian T. Murphy and Fouad Y. Zeidan
Fundamentals of Fluid Film Bearings for Machinery Engineers
The course’s objectives are to improve understanding of underlying physics of fluid film bearings, learn about the design and operating parameters and how they affect a bearing’s performance, and to understand the major calculation options in bearing analysis computer programs.
Attendees will gain practical knowledge of bearing operation, analysis, design and manufacturing.
Previously offered courses
2017: July 10-12 | Singapore | Instructors: James M. Byrne, Dr. Minhui He
Shaft Sealing Technology for Centrifugal Compressors
Previously offered courses
2017: July 10-12 | Singapore | Instructors: Daniel Goebel
Rotating Equipment Function Overview & Best Practices
Previously offered courses
2017: July 10-13 | Singapore | Instructors: Michael Forsthoffer
Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery with Case Studies
Previously offered courses
2016: October 3-5 | Doha, Qatar | Instructor: Dr. Dara W. Childs