Axial Reaction Fan - Double Stage: Operation & Maintenance Manual
Axial Reaction Fan - Double Stage: Operation & Maintenance Manual
Axial Reaction Fan - Double Stage: Operation & Maintenance Manual
CAUTION :
NEVER OPERATE THE SERVOMOTOR WITH OUT CONTROL OIL FLOW.
• Proper connection of inlet and outlet of lube oil piping to the main bearings.
• Proper connection of oil pipes to the oil head assembly.
• There is no pre-load in oil head assembly introduced by flexible hoses.
• The servomotor stroke length is maintained as per the drawing and mechanically
stopped.
• The independent operation timing of actuator from zero to 100 % and vice versa is
more than the servomotor timing (From full close to full open and vice versa).
• Linearity of blades position w.r.t. local/control room Indication.
• Proper setting of mechanical stoppers.
• Rotate rotor by hand and ensure free rotation without any mechanical rubbing.
• Removal all transport stiffeners (Yellow painted).
• Calibration of all instruments for Fan, Motor and Lub oil system.
• Proper functioning of interlocks/protections.
• Proper assembly of all expansion joints.
• No foreign matter is left inside Fan casing.
• No loose pieces are found in the suction side ducting of the Fan.
• Precautions laid down by Motor / Oil system suppliers are complied with.
• Start lube oil pump and allow it to run for about two hours. Clean filters. Check level in
tank. Ensure proper oil flow. Check the pressures and setting of relief valve.
• Check proper functioning of “Emergency Off” switch.
• Proper direction of rotation of motor.
• Never run the Fan/Motor with out protections/ interlocks.
When the fan is kept under service, the following values may be applied as reference limit and in
case the values are found exceeding, suitable corrective actions may be carried out to maintain the
following values below alarm limit.
Measure static pressure at Fan discharge with blades in minimum position. Ensure at least
+ 20 mm of WC. If not, readjust minimum blade setting for this value.
Measure the vibration and temperature of the bearing. Record the vibration and bearing
temperature every 15 minutes for first half an hour of run and every 30 minutes for the subsequent
2 hours of run and every hour till trial run completion.
Check and record the motor current, voltage, and blade opening position.
During continuos operation of the Fan the data should be logged as per the format: “Operational
parameter”. Apart from the data logged in the format the following additional information is to be
logged at fixed convenient intervals.
Vibration level
Oil level in the tank
Leakage in lub and control oil line
Differential pressure indication of oil filter.
a) If the inlet volume capacity is too little (i.e. the discharge gate is fully closed) rotating stall with
subsequent stalling will occur. Operation with rotating stall leads to increased loads acting in
some components, in particular the Fan blades.
b) If the inlet volume capacity is too little1 the power Input may result in non-permissible heating
of Fans.
The operating ranges that are OFF limits for continuous operation are represented in performance
graph. For operating range permissible for the Fan supplied, refer to operating parameters and
characteristics curves.
Refer the typical Characteristic curve of the fan (Fig - 1). The X – axis is the volume flow through
each fan and the Y – axis is the total pressure rise by the individual fan. The numerical values (-
400), (-360), (-280), (-120), (+40), (+80), (+120) and (+160) etc., are the different blade angles,
which corresponds to different loading of the fan.
The stable operating range of the fan is limited by the characteristic fan line for the maximum
pressure / volume on the right side and by the stall line at the top.
BEHAVIOUR OF FAN:
The pressure developed by the fan is just equal to the system demand.
Refer Fig – 1. For a blade angle say (+40) let us assume, the volume flow is “a” m^3/ sec and the
pressure developed is “b” mmwc when the system resistance is say “ m ” .
If the resistance of the system is changed to say “ n ” and the blade angle remain same
( +40), then the volume flow through fan will come down to “c” m^3/sec and the pressure
developed will increase to “d” mmwc. If this system resistance is close to the stall line, the fan
sheds the load and deliver lower volume and low pressure depending on the characteristic of the
fan, that is, the operation will be nearer to the deepest point of the stall line.
Similarly, if the system resistance is decreased to say “ p ” and the blade angle remain same (+40) ,
then the volume flow through fan will increase to “e” m^3/sec and the pressure developed will
decrease to “f” mmwc.
The control logic recommended (apart from other start permissive parameters) for starting the fan
is with its blade full close position and the discharge damper/ gate fully closed. As soon as the fan
reaches its rated speed, the discharge damper/ gate should be opened fully. The blades of the fan
can be opened to the required level to suit the system demand.
PARALLEL OPERATION :
During the single fan operation, the volume and pressure demanded by the system will be high.
Under this condition, if the second fan is started as per the starting sequence mentioned above, it
is expected that the second fan will handle some amount of flow. Correspondingly, the volume
handled by the first fan, which is operating, reduces. Then pressure developed by the first fan
increases along its characteristic line at the same blade position. At this point, there is a chance
that the second fan will go to unstable zone and as a result, the second fan will remain unloaded
irrespective of its blade position. Therefore in order to bring equal load on both fans, it is required
to follow certain procedure given below.
One fan (Fan A) is running and another fan (Fan B) is to be started. Even here the sequence of
operation must be such that neither of the two fans runs in the unstable range of the performance
graph. The ranges in which parallel fan (Second Fan) can be started is cross-hatched as shown in
the typical performance characteristic of an axial reaction fan( Fig – 2).
Fig – 2
Refer Fig – 3. Let us assume Fan A runs at point “ A1” that is the pressure developed is more
than the deepest point “s” of the stall line.
Fan B is now shut off from the system by means of damper/ gate. Before starting Fan B, the
pressure developed by the Fan A should be brought down to “A2” , (Ref fig – 4) that is less than
the deepest point (“s”) of the stall line.
Then Fan B is started as per the starting sequence. By opening of blades in Fan B, it will deliver
certain volume. As Fan B is sharing certain volume, the volume handled by the Fan A will be
decreased and there will be slight increase in pressure at the same blade position. So, close the
blade position of Fan A by approximately 5%. As the aim is to make both fan operating at the
same duty point on the performance graph, alternatively open the blades of Fan B by
approximately 5% and close the blades of Fan A by approximately 5%. Continue this operation step
by step, till the duty points like blade position and Motor current are same in both fans.
From this point onwards, increasing / decreasing the load on the fans will be simultaneous and
similar in both fans. If not, the phenomena called “LOADING / UNLOADING OF FANS” will
occur.
During the sudden variation in system demand as explained above, when two PA fans are running
under stable condition at higher blade position, the volume required to be handled by the Two PA
fans reduces. Under this condition, both the PA fans are likely to get unloaded (Fan delivery
pressure goes down drastically) when the blade positions are kept at same angle. The normal
control provided in the C & I scheme is that, the blade pitch angle will be further open when the
fan delivery pressure goes down. Some times the blade position go to 100 % open. Even in this
condition, the pressure developed by the fan will remain same at lower value. Cases were reported
that the operator switches off the PA fans during such conditions. This has resulted in tripping of
unit due to low-low header pressure.
In order to over come such situation, it is required to understand the parallel operation of this type
of Fans. Under this condition the following guideline may be adopted.
When two PA fan run in unloaded condition, bring the blade position to approximately 60% - 50%
by closing the blades in any one fan (Say Fan – A). Close the blade fully in other fan (Say Fan –
B) and keep running it. Now, the Fan A in which the blade position is 60% - 50% open will operate
at stable zone. Set the Fan out let pressure / Header pressure at the required level. Bring in the
second fan as and when required by following the parallel operation procedure.
REMEMBER THE FAN SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO RUN ON OR ABOVE STALL LINE
OF THE PERFORMANCE GRAPH CONTINIOUSLY.
If the operating (duty) point of both fans is same in the performance graph, the auto control
system will adjust both fans identically to meet the system demand. To achieve this, the following
MECHANICAL checks should have been performed and logged prior to commissioning of the fans.
• The servomotor operating time is less than the operating time of the actuator in de-coupled
condition.
• After coupling with actuator, the servomotor operating time is identical in both fans
• The servomotor stroke length is identical in both fans
• The actual blade position is calibrated w.r.t control room reading and are identical in both fans
• There is no mechanical backlash in the linkages of Servomotor – Actuator.
SHUTDOWN OF FAN :
Take the Fan operation to manual from auto operation.
Set the blades to minimum.
Stop the Fan.
Close the discharge damper.
Note the deceleration time of the Fan.
Stop the lub. oil system after about 2 hours.
Since the maximum effective life of rust preventive oil/anti corrosive agents, when applied, has its
own life (3 months), re preservation has to he carried out after 3 months.
Paint or spray with a rust preventive compound / oil on polished or machined outer surfaces.
The compound/oil shall confirm to the following specifications:
Specific Gravity 0.850
Flash point 40oC(MIN)
Film thickness at 25oC 10 microns
Film description Thin transparent dry film
Non-volume content 40-48%
Coverage at 25o C 12 Sq.M/Liter
100% Humidity at 50o C 30 Days (mm)
Remove the preservative prior to commissioning, using suitable solvent like Kerosene / Alkali wash
/ Steam blow / Lubricating oil.
Start the lube oil pump and operate the impeller blades from full open to full close several times.
ONCE IN A WEEK:
Rotate the rotor of Fans by hand for a few revolutions and set rest at a new position 90 Deg away
from the original position. This is done to avoid permanent set of the rotor as well as to avoid
pitting of shaft and bearings.
Blow the rotor with compressed air to remove hard deposits on the blades.
Run the Fan for about half an hour and ensure smooth operation.
VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS
Vibration in the simplest form may be considered as the motion of apart of a machine back and
forth from its position of rest end can be expressed as a simple harmonic motion.
DISPLACEMENT
The total distance of movement of the part is peak to peak displacement or Double Amplitude.
VELOCITY
FREQUENCY
The number of cycles of this movement for a given period of time is the frequency.
LIMITS OF VIBRATION
CONDITION OF MACHINE AS PER OPERATING
VDI 2056 INSTRUCTION
Just Unsatis-
GOOD Satisfactory ALARM TRIP
Satisfactory factory
At &
Upto Above Upto Above Upto Above At
Above
Velocity(Pk) in
2.54 2.54 6.3 6.3 15.55 15.55 6.3 12.7
mm/sà
G 540
80 80 200 200 500 500 200 400
R rpm
O 740
Displacement 64 64 160 160 400 400 160 320
rpm
U (Pk-Pk)
990
P in microns 48 48 120 120 300 300 120 240
rpm
For
1480
Speed = 32 32 80 80 200 200 80 160
“G” rpm
2980
16 16 40 40 100 100 40 80
rpm
Velocity(Pk) in
3.96 3.96 9.9 9.9 25.4 25.4 9.9 19.8
mm/sà
G 540
126 126 320 320 800 800 320 640
R rpm
O 740
Displacement 100 100 250 250 640 640 250 500
rpm
U (Pk-Pk)
990
P in microns 75 75 188 480 480 480 188 375
rpm
For
1480
Speed = 50 50 125 125 320 320 125 250
“T” rpm
2980
25 25 63 63 160 160 63 125
rpm
1 Frequent drop in oil Leak in the oil system . Inspect and rectify leaks.
level in the tank
Damaged shaft seals at Dismantle bearing assembly and
main bearings. change seals.
3 Drop in oil pressure. Filter element clogged. Check for pressure drop across
filter. Changeover to standby filter,
clean the clogged filter.
4 Large pressure Improper setting of over Check setting of over flow valve,
fluctuation in the flow valve. open fully. Close the bypass valve,
control oil circuit. gradually close the over flow valve
till the required pressure Is ach-
ieved.
Pressure reservoir Check for rated pressure fill
nitrogen, if necessary.
5 Control Slide Jamming No oil to control slide. Dismount the servomotor
assembly. Dismount the control
slide and check control slide,
control rod and piston for con-
centricity and oil flow.
6 High bearing Oil temperature in oil Check oil cooler for choking.
temperature tank too high.
Oil too viscous. Change, use specified oil.
Bearing damages. Replace the bearings.
Bearing clearance too Check bearing clearance and
small. replace with proper bearing.
Lubrication failure. Check the oil flow regulator for its
proper functioning.
7 Unquiet running.
Unbalance due to Remove deposits.
deposits on rotor.
8 Fan absorbs full load Impeller blades in full Stop the Fan and examine blade
current immediately open position position. If it is not in full close
after starting. condition reset the Impeller blades.
9 Power absorption of Fork lever on drive shaft Tighten fork lever. Set blade
the Fan cannot be loose. position. Check actuating drive and
altered tighten fixing bolts.
Servomotor defective.
Check and service servomotor.
When looking in flow direction, the fan consists of the following Components.
• Suction Chamber
• Impeller housing with guide vanes
• Rotor consisting of shaft, two impellers with adjustable blades with pitch control mechanism.
• Main bearings (Anti-friction bearings)
• Outlet Guide Vane housing with guide vanes
• Diffuser
STATOR:
Suction chamber, fan housing and diffuser are welded structural steel fabrications, reinforced by
flanges and gussets, resting on the foundation on supporting feet. The
supporting feet are fixed on the foundation In such a way that they slide and without clearance at
the sliding supports of suction chamber and diffuser. On its impeller side, the suction chamber is
designed as an inlet nozzle. Guide vanes of axial flow type are installed in the fan and guide vane
housings, in order to guide the flow .
Suction Chamber and Fan Housing, Outlet Guide Vane housing and diffuser are flexibly connected
via expansion joints.
Fan and Outlet guide vane housings are horizontally split, in order to facilitate access of the rotor
for dismantling and assembly.
Those parts of the pitch control unit which are arranged in the guide vane and diffuser cores are
accessible through assembly openings.
The fan is driven from the inlet side. The shaft runs on Anti-friction bearings. The main bearings
are accommodated in the core of the bearing housing. The impellers are fitted to the shaft on
either side of the bearing assembly in overhung position.
The centrifugal and the setting forces of the impeller blades are absorbed by the blade bearings.
For this purpose, the blade shafts are being held in combination of radial and axial anti-friction
bearings. Each blade bearing is sealed off by means of several seals, in both directions (towards
the inside and outside).
ROTOR:
he rotor consists of a shaft, two impellers, and a servomotor.
The rotor is accommodated In Cylindrical Roller bearing. In addition, two Angular Contact Ball
bearings are arranged on the driven side in order to absorb the axial thrust.
Double contact Tele—thermometers and double resistance thermometers monitor the bearing
temperature. These thermometers must be connected to signaling instruments at the site.
Lubrication and cooling of these bearings are ensured by a combination of oil bath and circulating
lubrication.
Simmer rings are always installed, filled with grease. The oil ventilated through the lube oil return
pipe, which opens into the oil reservoir. The ventilation hood is mounted on the reservoir.
FAN ACCESSORIES :
RIGIFLEX SHAFT COUPLING :
The fan shaft is connected to the motor shaft by means of Regiflex couplings while an intermediate
shaft bridge the distance between the shaft ends, which is a part of the coupling assembly. These
couplings are capable of compensating mounting and operational inaccuracies to a certain extent.
The close—fit, high strength spring plates are firmly retained. No lubrication is required for the coupling
parts.
The oil system consists of an oil tank, two pumps (one standby), filters, coolers and other
necessary fittings and instruments. A pressure relief valve maintains the pressure in the system.
The lubricating oil is fed through a pressure compensated flow-regulating valve. A Hydraulic
Accumulator (Pressure Reservoir) in the system absorbs the pressure fluctuations during blade
adjustment.
DRIVE MOTOR:
Constant speed synchronous induction motors drive these fans. For installation, operation and
maintenance reference is drawn to the instructions of the respective motor suppliers.
SILENCERS:
These fans are provided with a silencer to attenuate airborne noise to acceptable level. The silencer
consists of baffles packed with sound absorbing wool retained by perforated plates.
Prior to taking the equipment out of service during a planned maintenance program, the following
checks are to be carried out.
These checks are designed to help in scheduling the maintenance activity and to avoid unforeseen
delays in re-commissioning the Fan.
• Record vibration level on all bearings. Such of those bearings whose vibration levels
are beyond the permissible levels of satisfactory operation may be subjected to
vibration/signature analysis to carry out the corrective actions.
• Ensure the availability of operational data such as Vibration level, Bearing
temperature, Motor amperage, blade position etc before stopping the Fan.
• Pay specific attention to any abnormal noise emanating from any of the machine
components like bearings etc.
• Observe for any leakage in the Fan like oil, air at Fan connections etc. Observe for
any erosion of Impeller / casing.
• Availability of operational spares and other materials in connection with the
observations made above.
• After the Fan is stopped the following data may be recorded/ensured for reference
during re commissioning.
• Coupling alignment
• Marking the assembled components by match marks
• Servo motor operating time
• Actuator linearity w. r. t. control room indication and actual blade position
• Clean the filter. Clean it before the above mentioned time has elapsed when the differential
pressure contact indicator indicates that the filter is dirty.
Every 2000 operating hours or at least once in every six months –
• Test the oil, if water is found, find the cause and eliminate it.
Every 4000 operating hours or at least once in a year
FORCED SHUTDOWN :
If the plant shutdown is owing to other parts, it-may--be possible to inspect the Fan. We
recommend the following jobs.
PLANNED SHUTDOWN :
We recommend to effect overhauls for every 8,000 to 10,000 operating hours or at least once in
two years.
This job should be performed under the guidance of the specialist of the Fan manufacturer.
BHEL specialists should service fan. Our instructions have only one objective, namely to keep the
Fan ready for operation and to avoid longer standstills.
Basic requirements for the installation and removal of such parts are a clean job and avoidance of
any kind of force.
The impeller blades have to be checked for wear. Remove the inspection cover from the upper half
of the Fan housing.
Remove the screws connecting the blades and blade shafts and extract each blade form its fit.
Install the impeller blades in accordance with the instructions.
Screws must be coated with Molykote and have to be tightened to the specified torque. Make sure
that the screws are loaded uniformly.
Before the complete set of impeller blades are replaced, the upper half of the housings must be
removed.
Retract the impeller blades (0%)
Remove the expansion bands at the upper halves of the housings. Remove the screws connecting
the joint areas of the Fan housing and the guide vane housing.
• The quality of the surface permits this (no rust, no damages) which should he ensured by
visual checks.
• They have been, and will be, tightened to the correct torque, with a calibrated torque
wrench.
Remove the linkages of the actuating drive, the connections on the servomotor and oil supply head
(11).
Lift the upper half of the impeller and guide vane housings.
Remove the blades.
Disconnect the coupling.
Remove all mounting screws and all connection instruments and pipe work from the bearing
housings.
Suspend each impeller at two suspension lugs. The suspension lugs have to be screwed in to the
blade shafts after the removal of the blades.
Remove the rotor complete with bearings and servomotor and place it on an appropriate support.
Installation has to be carried out in reverse sequence. Ensure correct alignment. Before assembling
the blades, keep the servomotor in full close position (0% open)
All screw connections have to be tightened to the torque shown in the drawing, with a calibrated
torque wrench.
Check whether any tools, objects have been left inside the Fan and remove the same.
• Remove the screws correcting the impeller and hub plate, dismount the impeller.
• The impeller should be installed in reverse sequence, all screws being tightened to the
correct torque.
• Dismount the hub discs ( refer Annexure Principle of hydraulic installation and extraction )
• Unscrew the threaded pins in the shaft nuts and remove.
• Remove the mounting screws of the bearing covers and take out the covers.
• Press out the INA rings and splash rings by means of threaded pins.
• For the HUB MOUNTING DATA dimensions and permissible pressure, refer relevant drawing.
Prior to starting of the Fan after a major overhaul, ensure all checks as mentioned in the chapter “
PRE COMMISSIONING CHECKS - CHAPTER NO 4.1 ”
The Lubricating oil for the Fan bearings are supplied by the centralized oil pumps which supply oil
for the hydraulic servomotor also. It must be borne In mind that the quality of oil flowing to the
bearings and its pressure must be maintained as recommended. The flow control device provided in
the oil system (lube oil inlet Fine) is to be covered arid protected.
The oil to be used shall be a turbine quality oil to suit the following specifications:
The oil must not foam during operation. Foam removing agents containing silicon must not be
utilised. The oil must have good anti-corrosion properties.
Recommended Oils :
a) Servo prime 68 of BC
b) Turblnol 68 of HPC
c) Bharat Turbol 68 of BPC
d) Teresso 68
LUBRICANT FILLING :
Fill the recommended lube oil (through a fine mesh strainer only) up to the required level. Do not
mix lubricants of different grade and make.
LUBRICANT CHECK :
At first commissioning and after a basic overhaul, the entire oil must be drained after an operating
period of 100 hrs. All dirt should be eliminated from the bearing housing. Then fill in again the oil
through the fine mesh strainer.
CARE OF LUBRICANT :
Test the quality of the oil every month and if found unsatisfactory and oil containing water/dirt the
oil should be changed immediately.
LUBRICANTS :
Servoprime M /s
68 I.O.C
Fan main
Turbinol 68 M/s During
Bearings
Bharat H.P.C over haul
and See
01 turbol Oil tank ( once in Daily
Hydraulic note 1
68 M/s 2 years )
Servomotor
Teresso B.P.C see note 2
Mechanism
68 ( Others )
During
Mobil Over haul
Axial ball
Glygoyle 80 ( once in
bearing See note – Inside
02 OR 2 years ) ***** Six Kg
( Blade bearing 3 Rotor
Berusynth see note
assembly )
EP 460 4
Deep groove
ball bearing & During
Angular Poly-Buty Over haul
contact ball Cuprysil See note – Inside ( once in Four
03 *****
bearing (copper base 3 Rotor 2 years ) Tins
( Blade bearing grease) see note
assembly ) 4
During
Spherical plain Molykote Over haul
bearing Spray 321R See note – Inside ( once in Eight
04 *****
( Blade lever) OR 3 Rotor 2 years ) cans
OKS 511 see note
4
NOTES :
1. Oil quantity depends on tank capacity(Approximately 400 ltrs). Levels marked in the oil tank
level gauge.
2. The frequency of filling shown is for normal operation. For initial operation follow lubricating
instructions given in this manual.
3. The blade bearing assembly lubricants are presently imported. Development of indigenous
supplier is under study.
4. The lubricants of blade bearing assembly are renewed only during major overhauls of the
Fan (usually once in two years). This has to be done only by trained personnel. BHEL
personnel may be requisitioned for supervision.