Geared-up to cut failures

Gear units from Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies (IA&DT) have helped a UK oil refinery cut failures and downtime on its high-speed gear units and maintain high production levels.

A total of 26 Flender gear units serve several processes within the refinery and have been in service for 30+ years. Reverse engineered gearing used to be supplied by a third party, allowing the refinery to refurbish its gear units in-house, but downtime was proving a problem.

The company reverted to having new Flender gearing and associated parts supplied by Siemens Automation & Drive Technologies in five sizes.

The first units were provided four years ago and, so far, no failures have been recorded. Siemens is also providing a maintenance and support service: training, service and help with pump upgrades, partnership flexibility, and stock supply.