One of the critical assets in the customer’s manufacturing process are at compressors stations. To ensure the natural gas remains pressurized, compressor stations are equipped with machines needed to boost the pressure and maintain a constant flow through the natural gas pipeline system. These stations have compressors that use a turbine, motor, or engine to increase the pressure of the gas. These stations are located 40 to 70 miles along the natural gas pipeline to maintain the flow of the gas.

Shoreline AI’s predictive maintenances solution was deployed to automate detection of anomalies in the machines’ operating conditions. This includes mechanical and foundational looseness, liquid/gas entrainment, impeller vane erosion & lost capacity, conditions of bearings, power consumption & efficiency, valve malfunctions and emission detection.

Recently, Shoreline AI’s software detected an abnormal vibration energy pattern, and generated a predictive maintenance alarm notifying the team of mechanical looseness in two of the compressors. They discovered a cylinder pedestal bolt had broken and loose pipe clamps on one compressor. On the other compressor they found loose bolts and missing shims on the cylinder supports and looseness between the distance piece and frame. Both situations posed the risk of catastrophic failure.

Thanks to early warnings of the anomalies sent to a smartphone via the Shoreline AI mobile app, the team was able to quickly diagnose the root cause and prevent machine failure. A failure of this type would have resulted in significant disruption, expensive repairs, productivity loss, and exceed $100,000 per incident. This does not include potential damage from leaks and possible fires and the resulting environmental impact.