OISD RP - 126

Amended edition

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRUCULATION

No.

SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE PRACTICES

FOR ROTATING EQUIPMENT

OISD RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 126

First Edition, August 1990
Amended edition, August, 1999

Oil Industry Safety Directorate

Government of India
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
 OISD RP - 126
First Edition, August 1990
Amended edition, August, 1999

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION

NO.

SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE PRACTICES

FOR ROTATING EQUIPMENT

Prepared by

COMMITTEE ON
INSPECTION OF ROTATING EQUIPMENT

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

2ND FLOOR, “KAILASH”
26, KASTURBA GANDHI MARG
NEW DELHI - 110 001.
 NOTE

OISD publications are prepared for use in the Oil and gas industry
under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. These are the properties of
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and shall not be reproduced or
copied and loaned or exhibited to others without written consent from
OISD.

Though every effort has been made to assure the accuracy and
reliability of data contained in these documents, OISD hereby expressly
disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from
their use.

These documents are intended only to supplement and not

replace the prevailing statutory requirements.

Note 1 in superscript indicates the modification/

changes/addition based on the amendments approved in
the 17th Safety Council meeting held in July, 1999.
 FOREWORD

The Oil Industry in India is 100 years old. Because of various

collaboration agreements, a variety of international codes, standards and
practices have been in vogue. Standardisation in design philosophies and
operating and maintenance practices at a national level was hardly in
existence. This, coupled with feed back from some serious accidents that
occurred in the recent past in India and abroad, emphasized the need for
the industry to review the existing state of art in designing, operating and
maintaining oil and gas installations.

With this in view, the then Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, in
1986, constituted a Safety Council assisted by Oil Industry Safety
Directorate (OISD), staffed from within the industry, in formulating and
implementing a series of self regulatory measures aimed at removing
obsolescence, standardising and upgrading the existing standards to
ensure safe operations. Accordingly, OISD constituted a number of
Functional Committees of experts nominated from the industry to draw up
standards and guidelines on various subjects.

The present document on “Specific Maintenance Practices of

Rotating Equipment” has been prepared by the Functional Committee on
“Inspection of Rotating Equipment”. This document is based on the
accumulated knowledge and experience of industry members and the
various national and international codes and practices. This document is
meant to be used as a supplement and not as a replacement for existing
codes and practices. It shall be borne in mind that no standard can be a
substitute for judgment of a responsible qualified maintenance Engineer.
Suggestions are invited from the users, after it is put into practice, to
improve the document further.

Suggestions for amendments to this document should be addressed to

the Co-ordinator, Committee on “Inspection of Rotating Equipment”, Oil
Industry Safety Directorate, 2nd Floor, “Kailash”, 26, Kasturba Gandhi
Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
 FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEE
ON
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF
ROTARY EQUIPMENTS
List of Members
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Designation & Position in
Organisation Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Sh. K. Gopalakrishanan Sr.Maint.Mgr.CRL Leader
2. Sh.B.P. Sinha Chief Project MGR-MRL Member
3. Sh.Chotey Lal Chief Engineer ONGC Member
4. Sh.R.C. Chaudhary Office Engr.MGR BPCL Member
5. Sh.K.M. Bansal Chief Maint. MGR. IOC Member
6. Sh.Ehsan Uddin Director OISD Member
7. Sh.R.M.N. Marar Jt.Director OISD Member Co-ordinator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the above, several other experts from the industry contributed in the preparation, review and
finalisation of this Recommended Practices.
 SPECIFIC MAINTEANCE PRACTICES
FOR ROTATING EQUIPMENT

CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE NO.

1.0 Alignment Systems and Procedures

1.1 Scope
1.2 System Survey
1.3 Planning
1.4 Cold Alignment
1.4 Hot Alignment
1.6 Alignment Tolerance

2.0 Balancing
2.1 Scope
2.2 General
2.3 Selection of Number of Balancing Plane
2.4 Balancing Tolerances

3.0 Lubrication System

3.1 Scope
3.2 Functions of Lubricants
3.3 Types of Lubricants

4.0 Preservation of Spare Parts

4.1 Scope
4.2 General
4.3 Preservation of High Value Item
4.4 Preservation Procedure for Other Spare Parts
4.5 Preservation of Bearings

5.0 References

Appendix I
General Safety Precautions
 SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE PRACTICES FOR ROTATING EQUIPMENT

1.0 ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS AND Shims are vital link between the machine and
PROCEDURES foundation. All shim packs should be removed at
every machine support just prior to alignment. If
1.1 SCOPE the shims have burrs, rust etc. these should be
removed and shims without rust, wrinkles, burs,
This section covers the standard alignment hammer marks and dirt should be used. Use as
systems and procedures for rotating machinery, few shims as possible and replace many thin
precautions to be taken before carrying out the shims with fewer shims of greater thickness.
alignment and general alignment guidelines. Stainless steel shims minimise alignment
problems associated with shim deterioration.
1.2 SYSTEM SURVEY
1.2.5 Checking for Misalignment
Many steps vital to good machinery alignment
should be taken well ahead of the actual ‘cold Misalignment should be checked in the following
alignment’. Some of the items, which warrant manner. A dial indicator should be mounted on
specific attention, are as follows: the machine support with the indicator stem
resting on the sole plate. Watch the indicator as
1.2.1 PIPING the hold-down bolts are loosened. If movement
of the indicator is more than 0.025 to 0.05 mm, it
A Visual inspection of piping is vital. The following is an indication of a problem that must be defined
checks should be carried out: and eliminated. Remove the shim pack and
check with feeler gauges to be certain the
a) Whether the piping is installed in apparent machine support is parallel with the sole plate. If
agreement with the design criteria and is not, regrout, re-machine the support or prepare
complete in all respects as per the drawing. tapered shims.

b) Whether proper placement and adjustment 1.2.6 Checking the Causing for distortion
of guides, anchors and supports have been
done, whether proper adjustment of tie bolts Test for gross distortion of casing can be made
on expansion joints, correct positioning of when shim packs are checked in the following
hangers have been carried out, whether manner:
make up of flanges with gaskets in place
have been completed and the bolts a) With three supports tightened down, remove
tightened. the shim pack from the fourth support.

c) Whether the system is in order so that post b) Determine the total thickness of the shim
alignment piping modifications will not nullify pack and record the dimension.
the alignment effort.
c) Using feeler gauges, determine the distance
d) Nomenclature with flow direction on pipes from the sole plate to the machine support.
shall be given. Note 1 Measure the dimension.

1.2.2 Grouting d) Subtract the feeler gauge dimension from the

shim pack thickness. This is the total
Grouting should be checked to be sure it is deflection of the machine casing with no
complete and satisfactory. support at the corner being checked.

1.2.3 Foundation bolts e) Repeat the procedure at each of the four

supports and compare the deflection of each.
Foundation bolts should be checked for Gross differences in deflections at any of the
tightness. four supports is an indication of probable
casing distortion.
1.2.4 Shim packs
1.2.7 Checking for piping strain
Piping strain is seldom detectable by visual two shafts. Results of the check form the basis
observation. However, gross problems can be for determining shaft alignment during operation.
detected by the following tests. Following the
check of casing distortion, place dial indicators The face and rim method and the reverse
on the machine to monitor both vertical and indicator method are commonly used for
horizontal movement of the casing or shaft. accurately measuring the shaft alignment
Loosen all the hold down bolts. If the machine between machinery. In the face and rim method,
moves more than the average observed when a face (axial) measurement and a rim (radial)
checking individual supports, it is obviously the measurement determine the angle and position
result of an external force, i.e. the piping. respectively of one shaft relative to another. The
reverse indicator method uses two rim
1.2.8 Bearings measurements, one from each coupling to locate
one shaft center line relative to the other. Both
Ensure that the bearings are properly installed in the face and rim measurements are to be taken
the machines and they are lubricated. Also with dial indicators.
check the bearing covers for proper tightening.
The face and rim method of alignment can be
1.3 PLANNING carried out by using a single dial indicator for
taking the face reading or using two dial
Alignment program should be properly planned in indicators for taking the face readings. The use of
order to achieve good results within minimum two dial indicators for taking face readings
time. Plans should include: eliminates the effect of axial movement of the
shafts during alignment. Procedure for carrying
a) Determination of the desired placement of out the alignment using three dial indicators is as
the shafts (cold settings) considering follows:
anticipated thermal growth of the various
components. Definition of movement of 1.4.1 Alignment measuring procedure -
shafts within bearing clearances, hydraulic Three dial method
loading and any other factors expected to
produce relative movement of shaft center The normal method of alignment measurement
when the machines are operated. for turbomachinery is by using an apparatus with
three dial indicators as shown in fig 1. The dial
b) Determining the sequence of alignment for indicator with its axis in a radial direction
multi unit trains. For two component trains measures the radial misalignment of the shafts.
determine which of the two machines is to be The two dial indicators with their axis in an axial
moved. direction measures the axial misalignment of the
shafts. Normally the heaviest or the most
c) Selecting a specific method for determining centrally placed machine is made the reference
relative shaft positions. for alignment.

d) Deciding on tolerances for theoretical cold 1.4.2 Reading of the radial misalignment
alignment settings.
Zero the radial indicator in correspondence to the
e) Ensuring the quality of alignment bracket, dial vertical plane as indicated in the figure. Rotate
indicators and shims required for alignment. the shaft in the operational direction of rotation
and note the gauge readings at 900 intervals.
f) Making provisions for permanent recording of Interpret the readings as positive if the dial
alignment data. indicator rod re-enters its appropriate place and
negative if it does not. The readings are to be
g) Ensuring that jack bolts are provided and taken at least twice and ensure that the indicator
they are free for moving the machine for operates with the rod at half stroke. It is
alignment. advisable, especially for couplings with spacers,
to recheck by moving the apparatus with the
1.4 COLD ALIGNMENT indicators from one shaft to the other.

The term ‘cold alignment’ refers to the position of The value of the misalignment in the vertical
a machine’s shaft center line relative to the shaft plane is rv=b/2 where b is the reading effected on
center line of a connected machine, with both the dial indicator after a rotation of 1800. Such
machines in a non operating or ‘cold condition. are the values read after a rotation of 900 (W)
Cold alignment is normally the only check made and 2700 (Z) that their algebraic addition
to directly determine the relative position of the coincides, with the measurement taken after
180oC , i.e. b =W + Z (approx.), while their angular position, insert or withdraw a shim from
algebraic semi difference indicates the radial each support plate of the machine feet.
misalignment in the horizontal plane, i.e. values
of W’, Z’ and ‘b’, must be considered with their To correct the axial and radial misalignment on a
sign. horizontal plane, it is sufficient to horizontally
move the machine by turning the set screws of
1.4.3 Readings of the axial misalignment the machine.

The axial misalignment of the shafts (angular 1.5 HOT ALIGNMENT

misalignment of the coupling) is read by means
of two offset indicators of 1800 and zeroed to Alignment of machineries changes from ambient
their initial position. For taking the reading of to operating conditions. Correction for this can
axial misalignment use the two vertically aligned be done in two ways:
indicators. Zero the indicators. Then rotate both
shafts and record the measurements read on the a) By calculating the thermal growth of
dial indicators for each misplacement of 900 as individual machineries and giving allowances
indicated in figure 4. for it in the cold alignment.

Supposing that the two comparators are installed b) By shutting down a machine which had been
on the flange of the P Shaft (with the indicator allowed to stabilise at temperature, installing
button bearing on the flange of the Q shaft) and dial indicators and taking measurements.
that the readings are made looking at the unit
from left to right, we have the value of the axial The second procedure should be adopted for
misalignment in the vertical plane “av as av = d- pumps where the couplings are readily
g/2. If “av” is negative, the flanges appear open accessible and indicators can be installed in a
downwards and if av is positive flanges appear matter of minutes. But this method is difficult for
open upwards. The value of the axial high speed machineries where it takes more time
misalignment angle in the vertical plane is to install the indicators by which time the machine
obtained through gets cooled and a change in alignment takes
place. Hence, for these machines first procedure
tg < v = av/o is to be adopted.

The value of the axial misalignment in the 1.6 Alignment Tolerance

horizontal plane as will be
Alignment tolerance means the misalignment that
ao = (c-o) --(F-h) can be permitted between the driver and the
___________ driven shafts. This misalignment is specified at
operating pressure and temperature of the driver
2 and driven equipment irrespective of the type of
coupling used for power transmission.
If “ao” is negative flanges appear open leftwards.
If “ao” is positive flanges appear open rightwards. Tolerances are as given below:-
The value of the axial misalignment angle in the
horizontal plane “L” is obtained through tg < O = 1. Maximum radial misalignment shall not
ao/o. Values of c,d,e,f,g and h must be exceed 5/100 mm TIR (Total indicator
considered with their sign. reading).

1.4.4 Alignment correction procedure 2. Maximum axial misalignment shall not

exceed 5/100 mm TIR (Total indicator
First perform the correction of axial alignment on reading).
the vertical plane. It can be corrected by verifying
the height of the shims placed underneath the
support plates of the machine. As shown in
figures the shims to be removed from underneath
of the external support is obtained as follows:
S= av.L
--------------
o 2.0 BALANCING
To correct the vertical radial misalignment, lift 2.1 SCOPE
and lower the machine and without changing its
 the rotor can be used as a guideline as given in
This section covers the balancing procedures to table 2.1
be followed in shop after repair jobs and the
maximum specific residual unbalance allowed for
various rotors. Since the unbalance of a rotor could be in any
plane or planes located along the length, it is very
2.2 GENERAL difficult to locate the plane. Moreover, it may not
always be possible to make weight correction in
Imbalance is basically a very simple problem just any plane. In these conditions, corrections
caused by an asymmetry in the rotating element can be made in the convenient planes available.
which results in an offset between the shaft (Follow procedure specified by manufacturer).
center line and center of mass. This asymmetry
can be of center weight distribution or it can be a 2.4 BALANCING TOLERANCES
thermal mechanism which produces uneven
heating and bowing of the rotor. Imbalance is When machines are being balanced in place, it is
nearly always characterised by a high radial customary to use the vibration criteria to
vibration at running frequency which may also be determine when an acceptable balance has been
accompanied by a high amplitude in the axial attained. API Standard 612 and 617 for special
direction. This is a normal problem encountered purpose steam turbines and centrifugal
in maintenance and it becomes essential to carry compressors respectively specify that “ the
out balancing of rotors and couplings. Guidelines maximum allowable unbalanced force at any
for carrying out balancing are given below: journal at maximum continuous speed shall not
exceed ten per cent of the static loading of the
2.3 SELECTION OF NUMBER OF journal”. Both API standards state that the
BALANCING PLANE maximum residual imbalance shall not exceed

It is important to recognise the fact that not all 56347 X (journal static loading, lbs).
balancing problems can be solved by balancing ---------------------------------------------------
in a single correction plane. To determine Nmc2
whether single plane or two plane balancing is
required, the ratio of the length of the rotor Where Nmc = maximum continuous speed.
exclusive of supporting shaft to the diameter of

Another standard for rigid rotors defines the

maximum permissible imbalance as 4W/N where The more conservative standard depends on the
W = rotor weight in lbs and N = Rotor Speed rpm. specific rotor’s speed and weight. The API
standard will be more conservative for light Selection of proper viscosity of the oil for a
weight high-speed rotors, while the 4W/N criteria particular service is very important.
will be more conservative for heavy low speed
rotors. 3.3.2 Viscosity Index

For dynamic balancing of flexible rotor ISO STD This is a property by which an oil retains its
5406 may be referred. viscosity within a narrow range at higher or lower
temperatures conditions i.e. the oils does not
3.0 LUBRICATION SYSTEM become thin at high temperatures and thick at
lower temperatures. This property is essential in
3.1 SCOPE any operating machinery because there is always
a variation in operating temperatures from idle to
This section covers the functions and properties ‘full speed’ operations.
of the lubricants and lubrication methods
commonly used for rotary equipment. 3.3.3 Pour Point

3.2 FUNCTIONS OF LUBRICANTS This is the ability of the oil to remain in a fluid
state at low temperatures, i.e. it should not
Selection and applications of lubricants are congeal or become solid at low temperatures.
determined by the function they are expected to The necessity of this property is obvious.
perform. The principal functions of lubricants are
: 3.3.4 Flash Point

1. Control friction This property ensures that oil will not vaporise at
2. Control wear higher temperature and ignite.
3. Control temperature
4. Control corrosion 3.3.5 Acidity
5. Insulate (Electric)
6. Transmit power (Hydraulic) The oil should be of low acidity so as not to
7. Damper shock (Gears) corrode the parts.
8. Remove contaminants (Flushing action)
9. Form a seal (grease) 3.3.6 Oxidation Stability

3.3 TYPES OF LUBRICANTS This is a property which ensures that the oil does
not deteriorate due to long periods of storage
There are mainly two types of lubricants, liquid under exposure to atmosphere.
and semi solid. Both are mineral oil based.
Though there are some non-mineral oil based 3.3.7 Addition of additives
lubricants for special purposes, we will only
consider the former for the present. Apart from the above key properties mentioned in
3.3.1, there are many other properties specified
3.3.1 Properties of liquid lubricants or lube for specific purposes. Some of them are
oils emulsification number, detergent/dispersant
activity, corrosion inhibition, antifoaming activity
There are hundreds of grades of lube oils which (foam collapse time) etc. The key properties are
are specified for particular services. The range achieved by processing the oil in various process
varies from very heavy i.e. high viscosity oils like units by adding additives. Additives are complex,
gear oils to very light i.e. low viscosity oils like organic or inorganic substances which are
instrument and watch oils. specially compounded. Some of the additives
used in lubricants are: Antioxidants (hindered
Normally high viscosity oils are used where the phenols), anticorrosion compounds
machinery operates at low speeds but high loads (dithiophosphates), rust inhibitors, detergents
or torque. A heavier oil here helps to form a fairly (petroleum sulphenates), antifoam agents
stable film (which does not sheer easily). Lighter (silicate polymers), demulsifiers, extreme
oils are used where the speeds (RPM) are high pressure additives (chlorinated paraffin wax), etc.
but the load is less, which forms a thinner film but
takes off the heat faster. A thick oil in such When a lubricant is to be chosen for any service,
cases will form a thick film and creates a ‘drag’ the exact conditions to which the lubricant is to
on the parts demanding more work energy. be subjected should be known and proper
lubricant should be chosen. Just any oil is not a
lubricant. In the name of inventory control or
variety control do not choose the oil at random.  It should be again rotated by 900 position
Ensure that the oil selected is exact equivalent as after three months.
per manufacturer’s recommendation.
This procedure should be continued
4.0 PRESERVATION OF SPARE PARTS subsequently. By this method the sag will be
altered into two mutually perpendicular planes of
4.1 SCOPE the rotor. The rotor parts should be preserved by
application of rust stop 184 or equivalent. This is
This section covers the standard preservation to be sprayed on the machined surfaces of all
procedures to be followed for various rotary casing, rotors and diphgrams, etc. The rotor
equipment spare parts. journals should be protected by application of two
coats of Asian blue lacquer rust preventive and
4.2 GENERAL again wrapped up with two layers of bituminous
paper and one layer of polythene sheet and then
Moisture and oxygen are the main contributors kept over 12mm thick felt or rubber sheet on the
causing deterioration. These may cause rusting, wooden blocks in the pedestal. The remaining
pitting of surface and other forms of deterioration. portion of the rotors are to be preserved with
Dirt and dust also causes deterioration “Rust stop 184 or equivalent”. The pedestal
particularly for antifriction bearings. Some should be kept on perfectly hard & horizontal
components such as rubber etc. are affected by surface Note 1.
ultra-violet rays and should be kept away from
the light. Some instruments in general and 4.3.2 Rotor Re-preservation
electronic instruments in particular requires
temperature control for proper preservation. The rotor will require represervation on frequent
Long cylinder shaft and rotors need to be intervals which can be decided by inspecting the
restored in such a way that permanent deflection rotor and will depend on environment of
does not take place. Tyres require frequent protection. The following procedure should be
change of position to avoid deformation. followed for represervation:

Various preservatives are used for preserving  For represervation, earlier coating shall be
various components such as oil preservations removed by suitable method and subsequent
compounded with inhibitor and wetting agent. washing of the surfaces by suitable solvents
Anti-corrosive compound such as Servo RP 120 should be done. Mechanical cleaning, if
or equivalent can be used as oil preservatives. adopted, should not cause any scratches or
Asphatic/petroleum base grease such as Indian lines on the journal portion. Care should be
Oil Servo RP 330 can be used as grease taken not to spoil the surface finish.
preservative. Ordinary greases containing soap
should not be used. Wrapping with water-proof  If any slight corrosion is observed it should
paper is a good method of preserving. be removed with fine emery paper.

4.3 PRESERVATION OF HIGH VALUE  After removing corrosion, if any, the surfaces
ITEMS should be degreased with the help of a soft
brush or pad moistened with a suitable
4.3.1 Rotor Preservation degreasing agent. Degreasing operation is
to be carried out a number of times
In addition to protecting the rotor from corrosive depending upon the dirt on the surface after
effect of oxygen and other gases in the which the surface is rubbed dry by a piece of
atmosphere, the rotor also requires protection cloth.
against deflection. It is recommended that rotors
are to be rotated at least once in three months to  Surface prepared for represervation should
avoid sagging on long storage. After the receipt not be touched by hand.
of rotor at site it should be rotated by 180oC as
early as possible.  Preservative should be applied in closed
premises not later than 3/5 hours after
 It should be rotated by 1800 position after cleaning and degreasing. Application of
three months preservatives should not be done in humid
atmosphere and during short changes in
 It should be rotated by 900 position after temperature, which may cause sweating of
three months. surfaces under preservation.
 All spare parts should be waxed sprayed and
 Surfaces can be coated with the preservative wrapped in water proof or VCI papers. These
by spray gun, by brush or by dipping. While parts should be stored indoor.
applying anti corrosive layer, care should be
taken to see that the coating is uniform and 4.5 PRESERVATION OF BEARINGS
without overflow or gaps.
Bearings which are to be stored for a
 Coating should be done in solid smooth layer considerable time must be well protected and to
without lapses bald sports and flaws. Each achieve this they should be heated in a bath of
subsequent layer shall be coated after the good quality petroleum jelly at temperature of
preceeding one dries up completely. 115-1200 C (240-2500 F). The bearings should
remain in the bath until they have reached its
 Surfaces coated with anti corrosive greases temperature thereby ensuring that they are free
should be additionally protected with two from all moisture. They should then be cooled to
layers of waxed paper. approximately 600 C so that the petroleum jelly
does not run off when the bearings are taken out
 Quality of the anti corrosive layer is checked of the bath. The rust preventive capacity of the
by visual inspection. Any observed defects petroleum jelly is increased by mixing it with 3%
should be immediately rectified. pure, solid stearic acid.

4.3.3 Alternative method of preserving rotor In all cases the bearings should be wrapped in
grease proof paper and then placed in a box
Another method of preserving the rotors is to which has a lid. The box should be sealed with
store it vertically by suspending in a container adhesive tape so that the bearings are well
sealed and preserved under nitrogen pressure of protected against dust. Moisture absorbing
0.5 kg/cm2. The pressure gauge indicating the sachets should be provided in the box Note 1.
pressure of nitrogen in container should be
inspected periodically and positive nitrogen The bearing designation should be written
pressure is required to be ensured at all time. outside of the box so that the contents will be
Such preservation will not require periodic known at a later date without the need to open
rotation of turbine rotor and corrosive effects of the box.
the atmosphere, accumulation of dust, etc. will be
avoided. 5.0 REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS

4.4 PRESERVATION PROCEDURE FOR i) Machinery analysis and Monitoring by John

OTHER SPARE PARTS S. Mitchell.

4.4.1 Pump rotor assembly ii) Turbomachinery Handbook published by

Hydrocarbon Processing.
Pump rotor assembly is preserved by coating
them with mineral oil 45 corrosion inhibitor. iii) BHEL Instruction Manual.

4.4.2 Crank shaft iv) Sawyer’s Turbomachinery Maintenance

Handbook-Volume II.
Crank shaft of compressor and diesel engines
are protected by painting with bituminous paint on v) Instruction Manual of Hard bearing balancing
all surfaces except the journals which are machines.
protected as indicated in the case of journal of
the rotors. vi) Predictive Maintenance Manual of Indian Oil
Corporation.
4.4.3 Casing of reciprocating compressors
vii) Mechanical balancing of Rotating Bodies
Casing of reciprocating compressors wherever BS5265 PART 1981
stocked as insurance spares are painted with
bituminous paint except the bore of the cylinder viii) API 617.
which is preserved by using anti-rust grease.
ix) Manual of SKF Bearings.
4.4.4 Pump and compressor spares
 Appendix-1
reciprocating compressor is taken up the
1. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS compressor should be isolated from the system
by putting positive blinds.
Following general safety precautions
should be observed while carrying out any repair 1.6 Vehicle entry permit should be obtained
jobs on a rotating machinery: from the concerned authority before bringing any
crane or any other equipment for removing the
1.1 Maintenance work on any rotating pump.
equipment should be started only after obtaining
the work permit from the concerned department. 1.7 During the sole run of a prime mover
Ensure that the equipment is electrically isolated. fitted with a gear coupling half ensure that the
coupling half is properly locked with a lock plate.
1.2 The opening of equipment such as Otherwise remove the coupling half from the
pumps and compressors presents a special shaft before the sole run of prime mover.
safety problem, if proper precautions are not
followed. To ensure safety while opening, it is a 1.8 Rotary equipment should never be
good practice to treat the equipment as if it were allowed to run without coupling guards.
under considerable pressure even though all
steps have been taken to relieve the pressure. 1.9 Teflon tapes should not be used in the
threads of plugs and nipples provided in the
1.3 In opening flanges, persons shall first pump casing of hot pumps. Instead of this,
loosen and remove the bolts on the far side away proper high temperature sealants should be
from the men doing the work, with a sufficient applied on the threads of plugs and nipples.
number of bolts allowed to remain tight on the
near side until the connection can be wedged 1.10 Persons working on rotating machinery
open. Any unanticipated entrapped pressure will should not wear loose clothes because of the
then be dissipated in a direction away from the possibility of such items getting caught in moving
main doing the work. parts.

1.4 Whenever a pump handling 1.11 Gaskets and bolts used for making up
hydrocarbons is taken out of service, all the the flanges should be suitable for the service.
hydrocarbon lines connected to the pumps
should be isolated by blinding. In the case of a 1.12 A display board with clear & bold writing
back pull out pump, the casing should be blinded of "EQUIPMENT UNDER MAINTENANCE"
by a special fluid instead of blinding the lines. should be kept at working site Note1.

1.5 Whenever a valve changing, stuffing box

packing or checking of piston rings in a