High Speed Balancing in the Service Industry – Deformed Rotors Juan Hidalgo Manager of Dynamic Analysis & Balancing

The Goal of Balancing The goal of balancing is to obtain good running characteristics of the rotor over the entire speed range, this is particularly important at operating and critical speeds. Good running characteristics can be defined as Reduce dynamic loads on bearings Reduce shaft deflection within operating clearance confines Reduce transmission of forces to the outside environment Reduce shaft dynamic stress

Generalized Rotor Classifications Rigid Rotor 1st bending mode critical speed > Operating Speed Quasi Rigid Rotor 1st bending mode critical speed < Operating Speed 2nd bending mode critical speed > Operating speed Flexible Rotor 1st bending mode critical speed << Operating Speed

Balancing Methods Low Speed Balancing – 2 plane, rigid rotor balance High Speed Balancing – multi-plane balancing, flexible and quasi-rigid rotors: Influence Coefficient Method (any rotor type) Modal Balance (quasi-rigid rotors & flexible rotors) (N + 2) balance planes Rigid mode balance Modal influence coefficient balance Balance each critical through the speed range

Low Speed Balance Best applicable to rigid rotors. Balancing is carried out in 2 planes. Addresses translation and couple (rocking) rigid body modes only. Rigid body forces and overall moments are compensated by balancing. Does not resolve inner moments that can only be observed at high speed due to the CF effects of local mass eccentricities. Severity of local mass eccentricities across a rotor is evaluated from runout measurements carried out on the rotor.

High Speed Balance Applicable to quasi-rigid and flexible rotors. Balancing is carried out in multiple planes. Minimizes CF effects at the bearings over the entire speed range. Resolves inner moments through the use of multiple balance planes to correct for mass eccentricity - within limits. When the rotor is modally balanced, the balance condition is retained regardless of the speed at which the critical modes appear and regardless of support stiffness conditions. Affords the verification of mechanical integrity as rotors are typically run to 110% overspeed.

Balancing of Deformed Rotors These are the type of rotors which are normally omitted from most presentations on balancing. They are primarily bowed rotors and rotors with high local eccentricities (rotor bow is the most common problem in the industry after misalignment, and perhaps the less recognized) Bowed rotors can not simply be balanced. In order to eliminate the effect of the bow, careful evaluation of the rotor eccentricities is needed before the best course of action to remedy the problem can be establish. Remedies include Machining to correct journal centerline Machining to correct local eccentricities High speed balance Addition of carefully located balance planes

Candidate Rotors for Evaluation and High Speed Balance Rotors were their mass distribution had been significantly disturb such as complete or partial rotor rewind Rotors that have had their journals, couplings or fits machined. Rotors that required changes of their centers of rotation. Turbine rotors that have had blades weld repaired or fox hole rivet repaired – for verification of mechanical integrity. Rotors that have been balanced multiple times over a long operating period or that have a history of vibration problems. Rotors experiencing changed operating vibration resulting from: Loss of mass due to rubbing or other mechanical means Permanent bowing or deformation due to rubs or water induction Cracking Thermal instability, motorization events

Bowed Rotor: IP Rotor Case Study Runout measurements were carried out as part of the rotor inspection. Measurements revealed a significant bow in the rotor. Based on the findings, corrective machining was carried out to minimize the mass unbalance resulting from the bow. In order to assure satisfactory operation, the rotor was high speed balanced and oversped to 110% of operating speed (3960 RPM).

Runout Measurements are made at a Series of Points to Assess Rotor Condition NOTE: Runout measurements are made by ReGENco as part of any rotor work. Runouts are also routinely carried out to assess rotor condition prior to high speed balancing of 3rd party rotors.

Runout Evaluation The eccentricity values are used to evaluate the rotor condition and determine corrective moves of the journal centerline to minimize mass unbalance in the case of a bowed rotor.

3D Eccentricity Plot Derived from IP Rotor Runout Data

Determination of Corrective Centerline Move A finite element model of the rotor was developed and the 3D measured eccentricity distribution applied to it. Based on the above model and using ReGENco’s center correction optimization program a move of the journal centerline was calculated in order to minimize the rotor unbalance distribution and maximize its balance performance. .006” Eccentricity centerline

IP Rotor Corrective Actions Reworked TE & EE coupling centers to displace the rotational centerline to minimize mass unbalance Remachined the TE and EE journals round and true to new centerline Cleanup machined the shrouds at all blade stages Cleanup machined the seal areas between the EE blade stages (2-3, 3-4, and 4-5) true and round Machined the EE coupling rim true and round and machined the coupling face perpendicular to new axis of rotation Roll / peen the coupling fit and machined it true and round to original fit diameter

Reduction in Peak Eccentricity from 6.5 to 3.6 mils Prior to Machining After Machining

IP Turbine Rotor – High Speed Balance

First Run Results – Measurements at Journals

Final Balance Results – Measurements at Journals