EGCR News

Technical Tuesday: Measuring Bearing Temps

February 22, 2022

There are a lot of different strategies for measuring bearing temps. In this picture, the operator chose to install 2 rtd’s that touch the back of the bearing. The thinking is that the oil channel in the bearing could delay heat transfer on a failure if it occurred on the opposite side of the channel from the temperature sensor. What do you think? For more tips and tricks, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Home Foundations

February 17, 2022

Today we’ll look at home foundations as we continue our discussions on natural gas uses in the home. Foundation design can vary depending on location and seismic concerns, but concrete and metal reinforcement are common in most designs. Both components require very high temperatures to manufacture, either in a kiln for the concrete feed stock or a foundry for the rebar or welded wire mat. Natural gas plays a key role in providing the energy for that heat. If you have a specific question, send us a message, or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Flywheel Seals

February 15, 2022

People often complain about their flywheel seals leaking. But, when they lasted 50 years…. what were you expecting? Here’s a view of the seal — in this application, they are white felt. The challenge with replacing this seal is the sheer volume of work and the risk to get to the seal to repair. The weight of the flywheel is always challenging, and there could be fretting that might require on-site machine work to the flywheel and crankshaft, etc. To learn some tips and tricks, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

CH4 Facts: Plumbing Systems

February 10, 2022

Since we are discussing cooking in the home, we are going to look at the home itself over the next couple posts and the materials used within it that rely on natural gas. Let’s start with the plumbing system. Supply line materials like PVC, CPVC, copper, galvanized steel, and black iron can all be traced back to oil and gas feed stock or manufacturing processes. Stainless steel sinks and fiberglass fixtures are much the same. Even the porcelain fixtures in your home are fired in kilns fueled by natural gas.

To learn more, plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Hinges

February 8, 2022

“Just a Swinging…”

An engineer fresh out of school came up with this idea, and several vendors are installing them now. These hinges allow the heavy crankcase doors to swing open, and they’ve been very helpful in speeding up time/heat sensitive tasks such as web deflections, as well as reducing awkward lifting of the doors, etc. For more tips and tricks, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

2022 Conference Hotel Reservations

February 8, 2022

Room reservations are now being accepted at The Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh for the 2022 Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable. The Westin is conveniently connected to the David Lawrence Convention Center by an indoor walkway and is the host hotel for the annual EGCR. The EGCR room rates are effective Sunday, May 1 through Thursday, May 5. To obtain our special rate, please book your room by April 11, 2022.

Make Hotel Reservations

Important Note: Beware of the hotel solicitation scam. The EGCR has NOT contracted, solicited, or requested any other organization, business, or person to offer hotel reservations for the EGCR. If you receive a phone call or email referencing hotel reservations claiming they are reaching out on behalf of or associated with the EGCR, THIS IS A SCAM. Read more about this at the link noted above.

Technical Tuesday: Liner Install

February 1, 2022

How do you wash your liners before installation? It’s extremely important to remove all of the preservative from the running surface. The surface porosity captures and holds oil to lubricate the piston movement and if that porosity is filled with preservative, the life span of the components will be short. Everybody has a method, let’s hear them! For more tips and tricks, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

Technical Tuesday: Engine/Compressor Weight

January 25, 2022

Well, that’s one way to spend the day screwing off. There are many things to consider while planning major engine/compressor work, but weights are pretty high on the list. Many of our heaviest components exceed the floor weight capacity on buildings with basements. Screw jacks or timbers can be used to shore the floor up prior to work beginning. Seriously… don’t get overloaded. For more tips and tricks, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

Technical Tuesday: Web Deflections

January 18, 2022

Web deflections sounds like an online security firm, but they have been around longer than Al Gore’s claim of inventing the internet. This picture shows the proper setup using a string-line gauge. By capturing the changes in this distance as the crankshaft is rotated, we can evaluate how much the crankshaft is deflecting. The data can then be used to interpret how the engine frame is aligned and expose potential issues. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

Technical Tuesday: Freeze Plugs

January 11, 2022

For our next installment of “Name Shame,” we will cover freeze plugs. There is a general misconception that freeze plugs are made to pop out if the engine coolant freezes, keeping the block or head from cracking. While it seems logical, the real purpose of these casting holes is to remove the casting sand. There actually have been many a block cracked with the freeze plug still in place. These pictures are core plugs from a Cooper Bessemer engine—they are the equivalent of a freeze plug. Learn more at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.