Condition monitoring system for dredger
16/10/2020
Bakker Sliedrecht has signed a contract with CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Company to supply a condition monitoring system to China’s largest trailing suction hopper dredger Jun Yang 1.The condition monitoring system, engineered in Sliedrecht, Netherlands, will be used for measuring the vibration of bearings in submersible motors and will be installed on site by sister company Bakker Zhangzhou.
The trailing suction hopper dredger Jun Yang 1 can operate at great depths under severe conditions using the submersible pumps on the suction tube, which are equipped with oil-filled low-speed submersible motors, supplied by Bakker Sliedrecht.
Bakker will install new sensors to measure the vibration in the bearings and collect and store data that is then analysed through algorithms, to make visible potential problems and deviations in the condition of the equipment.
Arend van der Velde, the company’s Technology Manager, said: “If you see something deteriorating in the motor or the bearings, you can intervene immediately to avoid damage. In addition, this system makes maintenance more plannable and predictive.”
Bakker Sliedrecht will collect and analyse the data and send Guangzhou Dredging Company semi-annual reports on the general condition of the motor. A dashboard will be installed on board showing the status of the motors and an alarm will sound when the system detects an error.
Except for measuring vibrations in the bearings, the technique is further developed within an internal innovation programme. By expanding the system with more sensors, data pertaining to engine temperature, oil pressure or engine power can be collected for analysis.
The drive supplied by Bakker Sliedrecht and the frequency inverter of the submersible motors can also be monitored. Arend said that the company’s goal is to eventually integrate the entire electric train into the system to make early interventions possible.
Wim Verlek, Bakker Sliedrecht’s Account Manager, commented on the market trend towards predictive maintenance: “Due to the current global market developments, you can see that the movement towards predictive maintenance is accelerating. Bakker responds to this with new maintenance concepts and condition monitoring.”
The monitoring system can either be added to existing submersible motors or supplied as standard with new motors. Other maintenance products on the market include Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight. In May, Riviera conducted a webinar on turbocharger maintenance with a special focus on the need to boost predictive maintenance.
