The fan impeller was severely corroded. If maintenance was not performed quickly, a complete fan failure was imminent, risking a costly emergency shutdown. The customer had already ordered the necessary parts (shaft, impeller, bearings) directly from the manufacturer but did not have the specialized labor or expertise to perform the repair. Restricted access to the fan area and physical constraints at the site complicated the removal and replacement of parts.
Thanks to our expertise and careful planning, we were able to carry out the necessary repairs during the planned production shutdown. Three technicians worked for nearly four days to complete the job, starting by opening the insulation to access the ventilation duct. Working in a confined space, with ingenuity and caution, we removed the air inlet duct, cone, and impeller using a chain hoist system. The same process was used to reinstall the equipment. Once this step was completed, all that remained was to install the bearings, pulleys, and belts. The work was carried out in accordance with SKF standards, including bearing adjustment and laser alignment. After installing the guard and removing the safety padlocks, a vibration analysis was performed to ensure the quality of the work, all to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replacing the parts within a short time frame prevented an unexpected breakdown, which could have resulted in a costly emergency shutdown for the plant. The efficiency and specialization of LM’s technicians in repairing ventilation systems allowed the customer to free up manpower and focus on maintenance and repair of other equipment during the planned shutdown. The work was thus carried out in accordance with best practices. Initially scheduled for five days of work, the project was completed in less than four days thanks to the efficiency of LM’s technicians.
