Case Study: Oil and Gas Pipeline Company achieves early detection of valve failure and avoids major compressor damage with GE Digital SmartSignal

Broken Discharge Valve On A Reciprocating Compressor At An Oil And Gas Pipeline

The Oil and Gas Pipeline Company faced an equipment health issue when GE Digital’s SmartSignal analytics detected an unexpected rise in cylinder discharge temperatures on a reciprocating compressor (observed up to 285°F vs. an expected ~265°F) on March 30th. GE Digital’s Industrial Performance and Reliability Center (IPRC) flagged the anomaly in its weekly report for the customer, prompting investigation.

GE Digital’s IPRC helped the site investigate and identify a broken discharge valve on the crank end; the compressor was taken offline briefly to replace the valve. As a result, the company avoided a complete valve failure and potential major collateral damage, reducing possible repair costs and extended downtime, and GE Digital verified the fix by showing actual temperatures returned to expected model predictions.