References

Pump-generator suffered from persistent vibrations that varied with different operating points. An issue characterised by mechanical imbalance and rotating dynamic irregularities, for which conventional maintenance techniques were insufficient in resolving it.

Magstrom applied its Active Magnetic Balancing® system to create a balancing force in the middle of the rotor where the effect is higher, and mechanical means cannot reach. Rather than simply reducing symptoms, the solution targeted the root cause of rotodynamic force imbalances.

The system reduced the vibration by >50% and made it stable across the operational range. We turned instability into predictability, enabling reliable energy generation with increased uptime.

A vertical Francis unit faced severe vibration at all operational points and an overloaded generator guide bearing caused by a misaligned rotor, mechanical imbalance and turbine-driven forces. After multiple failed attempts to fix the problem, the fate of the generator was replacement until we came to change it.

Active Magnetic Balancing® system successfully neutralised the Unbalanced Magnetic Pull (UMP) that caused high dynamic forces – the root cause of the vibrations and bearing load. An optimisation of the mechanical balancing led by our system further reduced the vibration at speed, no load.

The result: much lower vibrations, decreased maintenance and extended service life. Not only an operational benefit, but a financial gain with avoided investment in a new generator.