2011 SEMINAR EXHIBITORS
BRADLEYS
TF HUDGINS
ROTASERVE
ITT GOULDS
TEXAS PROCESS EQUIPMENT
SULZER PUMPS
ROTH PUMPS
TURBO COMPONETS ENG.
PHILADELPHIA GEAR
DRESSER-RAND
CONHAGEN INC.
STANDARD ALLOYS
DEHUMIDIFICATION TECH.
METRIX
MAINTECH
U E SYSTEMS INC.
LUFKIN
FLOWSERVE
GRAPHALLOY
AES SEALCO
ODESSA PUMP
HOUSTON DYNAMIC
UNION PUMP
HUDSON FAN
February 16, 2012

Please come by and welcome our February speaker Mr. Stephen Plaisance with GE

Topic - Electrostatic Discharge
Stephen E. Plaisance, Technical Leader, GE Energy
Jonathan Cardell, DuPont Sabine River Works

Abstract - The Ethylene Unit turbomachinery team, together with their corporate Engineering Team and GE’s Bently Nevada™ resources, successfully diagnosed and mitigated a critical bearing failure mode on a 36,000 HP steam turbine. Following a process upset, the steam turbine was diagnosed with a possible light rub. As vibration levels continued to rise over the ensuing weeks it was noted that there were indications of typical electrostatic discharge. Using System 1®, GE Bently Nevada’s flagship condition monitoring program, the team was able to diagnose this rub and additionally diagnose the electrical discharge phenomenon that was destroying one of the critical steam turbine’s journal bearings at an alarming rate of 1%/day. The team employed grounding brush technology to stop the progression of this bearing failure mode. Because of the team’s prompt reaction and troubleshooting skills using the System 1 tools, the failure mode was impeded before it would have necessitated an immediate unit outage to make bearing repairs. This allowed the Ethylene Unit to continue to operate and avoid a 14 day outage. The outage would have cost $3.2MM ($200M L&M, $524M Startup & Shutdown, and $2.46MM lost earnings).

Speaker: Mr. Stephen Plaisance

Mr. Stephen Plaisance currently holds the position of North America Technical leader for Reciprocating Compressors and Machinery Diagnostics Services Training Development. He accepted this position in June 2011. Previously he has served as the Technical Leader for the South Region Machinery Diagnostics Services (MDS) division of GE Energy’s Measurement and Control Services (2005-2011) and the MDS Service Manager (1999-2005). He has also been on the development team for various monitor solutions and portable diagnostic equipment for rotating machinery.

Stephen joined the Bently Nevada Corporation in 1992 and is a leader for General Electric with the ADRE Sxp and 408 DSPi, General Electric’s System 1 software, Bently Performance software, and the installation and optimization of Rulepaks for the Decision Support extender for System 1.

He is registered as a Professional Engineer in Mechanical Engineering for Texas since 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture from the United States Naval Academy. He recently retired from the US Navy after 30 years of combined Active and Reserve commissioned service.

Meeting attendance fee is $25.00.
Payment by cash or check.
The complimentary bar (2 free drink tickets) opens at 6:00 PM.
Dinner starts at 7:00 P.M.

Please call in your reservations to
Bradleys' by February 14, 2012
Office: 361-643-0100 
Fax: 361-643-9160
 

Where:
Hilton Gardens Inn Corpus Christi
6717 South Padre Island Drive
361-991-8200

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