Balancing the radial fan impeller

Centrifugal Fan Balancing at a Metallurgical Plant: Emergency Repair and Routine Maintenance

Metallurgical operations are complex systems where many components must work seamlessly and continuously. The exhaust ventilation is vital in these aggressive environments—it maintains workplace safety, ensures optimal conditions for technological operations, and purifies the air from harmful emissions. At the heart of ventilation systems lie centrifugal (radial) fans. An unexpected breakdown of such a unit not only halts the production cycle but also poses a potential health threat to workers.

Breakdown During the Night Shift

Like a bolt from the blue, a serious accident occurred during one of the night shifts at the metallurgical plant—a drive shaft of a powerful centrifugal fan system failed. Such incidents are not only fraught with serious financial losses due to downtime but, most importantly, pose injury risks to workers.

Diagnosing the Problem: Imbalance of the Fan's Impeller

A swift analysis by specialists identified the root cause—wear of the fan's shaft bearings, a consequence of increased vibration of the impeller. To remedy the effects of the incident and prevent future accidents, a decision was made to balance the impellers of the centrifugal fans. Here, the portable vibro-analyzer and balancer Balanset-1A came to the forefront.

Balanset-1A - An Effective Tool in Combating Vibrations

Here's why Balanset-1A was ideally suited for this task:

• - Precision and Speed: High-sensitivity sensors and complex algorithms of Balanset-1A ensure high accuracy in calculating the magnitude and location of corrective masses, significantly speeding up the balancing process.
• - Portability: Compact size and ease of use allow for necessary measurements and balancing directly on-site.
• - Versatility: The capabilities of Balanset-1A extend beyond balancing fans. The device is applicable for many units with rotating elements—from electric motors to pumps.

Balancing Process

The process of balancing the impeller of a centrifugal fan can be divided into the following stages:

• - Initial Vibration Analysis: Balanset-1A is connected to the fan to measure the baseline vibration level, which will serve as a reference point for subsequent measurements.
• - Installation of Calibration Weight: Based on the vibro-analysis data, the software of Balanset-1A calculates the optimal location and weight of a trial weight. The weight is temporarily attached to the impeller.
• - Reanalysis: The vibration measurement procedure with Balanset-1A is repeated. This time, the effect of the installed calibration weight is taken into account.
• - Calculation and Installation of Corrective Masses: The device accurately determines which corrective weights and where to attach them on the impeller to reduce vibration to acceptable parameters.
• - Final Check: A final check of the vibration level confirms that the balancing was successful.

Result

After balancing, the fan's impeller rotates smoothly, and the vibration level is significantly reduced. This directly affects the lifespan of the unit, the safety of the work process, and the quality of the final product.

Benefits of Balancing Centrifugal Fans at a Metallurgical Plant

Regular, timely conducted balancing of fans at metallurgical facilities ensures the following positive effects:

• - Workplace Safety: Minimizing vibrations reduces the risk of premature breakdowns and associated accidents.
• - Increased Lifespan: Balancing reduces the load on bearings, shafts, and other parts, extending their fault-free operation.
• - Economic Benefit: Scheduled maintenance is more cost-effective than costly emergency repairs and downtime elimination.
• - Positive Impact on Production: Balanced fans maintain optimal environmental parameters in the shop, which positively affects the quality of the metallurgical products produced.

Conclusion

This story not only demonstrates the practical value of Balanset-1A but also serves as a reminder: even the most reliable equipment in metallurgical production needs preventive measures. Periodic balancing of ventilation units, conducted with modern tools, is a guarantee not only of uninterrupted plant operation but also of ensuring the safety of the most valuable resource—the personnel.

Learn more about the challenges and solutions in similar scenarios: A Two-Plane Dynamic Balancing Process for an Industrial Radial Fan and FAQ: Balanset Equipment.