Acoustic Emission Sensor Enables Early Fault Detection

Posted on January 25, 2012 by kitti

Dr Steve Dye, Business Development Manager at Kittiwake Developments, discusses the latest acoustic emission technology in a recent feature article in Eureka Magazine.

Kittiwake Holroyd, a Kittiwake Group company, has developed a new handheld Machinery Health Checker (MHC) sensor, used to capture the acoustic emissions from bearings and assess their condition.

MHC Memo Pro

A special acoustic emission sensor allows the user to listen to sound signals being generated on headphones where special audio circuitry filters out normal vibrations and audible signals to let engineers clearly hear rubs, scuffing and impacts as they happen.

Vibration measurements often need a lot of sampling, analysis and diagnostics but Kittiwake wanted an almost instantaneous reading that tells engineers what they need to know.

“The beauty of this is that it is bearing independent,” says Dr Dye. “This allows engineers to very quickly determine if you have a problem or not.”

The sensors are available in a handheld, standalone version and also as Smart sensors which can be integrated on to machines to take continuous readings that feed back data to a PLC or SCADA. To facilitate sensor coupling a variety of mounting methods are available including magnetic front face, adhesive bonding, bolt-on and screw-in. The MHC sensor has two modes, Standard and Super-slo mode which together allow measurements to be taken between 0.25 to 2500rpm.

To read the full article click here.

To find out more about the Kittiwake Holroyd product range follow this link to visit their website.

Acoustic Emission Monitoring: An opportunity not a threat

Posted on January 24, 2012 by kitti

A recent feature article in Power Engineering magazine sees Martin Lucas, managing director of Kittiwake Developments, argue that Acoustic Emission (AE) technology should be welcomed as the next generation in vibration monitoring.

Condition Monitoring (CM) is transforming rapidly and so too must the mindset of CM practitioners and users. The article simplifies the science behind AE as well as looking at the key benefits provided, such as earlier warning of potential damage and shorter measurement periods.

Acoustic Emissions & Vibration Analysis

Click this link to read the full article.

Scrubber Technology – Go from ‘A’ to ‘B’

Posted on December 21, 2011 by kitti

‘Scheme B’ is the only scrubber technology that will work, says Martin Lucas, managing director of Kittiwake.

Come 2015, owners operating in emission control areas (ECAs) will have only three choices to comply with mandatory 0.1% sulphur levels: burn marine distillates, switch to liquefied natural gas or install a scrubber system.

The trouble is, 2015 is only just around the corner so decisions must be made now. This has, understandably, heightened the debate about the efficacy of available technology and emissions measurement techniques.

There are major players in the scrubber supply market such as Wärtsilä, Hamworthy and Aalborg. These are substantial engineering companies with excellent reputations all saying that their scrubbing technology is an effective and viable reality. Ultimately, however, proving these claims depends upon the provision of reliable and accurate measurement.

At present, scrubber guidelines (MEPC 184[59]) allow for two methods of approval in the shape of Scheme A or Scheme B. Scheme A demands and initial certification of performance followed by only a recommendation that a daily spot check on the exhaust gas quality, in terms of SO2 (ppm)/ CO2 (%) ratio, is used to verify compliance. Scheme B recommends performance confirmation by constant monitoring of emissions with daily operating parameter checks.

Kittiwake Procal is firmly of the opinion that Scheme B should be the single allowable method. First, despite scrubbers being used ashore and on tankers for many years, this is a relatively new technology for emissions control on board ships. To mitigate any technical uncertainty that may exist, despite numerous successful trials, Scheme B gives complete and ongoing assurance of emissions at exit from ship, whereas Scheme A does not.

Second, if continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMs) are not fitted, there is a potential risk that the indirect Scheme A method of monitoring system parameters could result in non-compliant emissions being undetected between daily emission spot checks – particularly undesirable in port and ECAs. Constant monitoring of exhaust gas emissions is the only way to provide complete reassurance, no matter the type of scrubber system installed.

Furthermore, while CEMs for Scheme B must be approved according to MEPC 184(59), the daily spot checks required under Scheme A risk use of unapproved portable analysers that are neither ranged appropriately for a very low level of SO2 emissions – less than 20ppm – nor meet the performance specifications appropriate to the application.

As a consequence of the manual method of obtaining an emissions reading using a portable analyser, there is risk of an inconsistent and non-representative result, not to mention the associated safety risks, for example, if an access point to a hot flowing exhaust needs to be opened and a hand-held probe inserted.

There are further persuasive points that can be made but, essentially, the argument centres round the provision of accurate and reliable measurement that provides a simple means of determining compliance and the adoption of the same methodology regardless of vessel location, providing reassurance and clarity.

Ultimately, the clock is ticking and whether shipowners and operators choose to switch between high and low-sulphur fuel or install a scrubber, CEMS has a central role to play.

Article taken from Fairplay | December 2011

Kittiwake Proactive Technologies sponsor National Tribology Conference

Posted on December 13, 2011 by kitti

The National Tribology Conference 2011 was held at Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee from Dec 08-10, 2011. It was jointly organised by the Tribology Society of India and Dept. of Mech. Engineering, IIT, Roorkee

Kittiwake Proactive Technologies Ltd. was co-sponsor for this event which was attended by eminent tribologists, academics and industry experts, not only from India but also from as far afield as France and the UK. Deepak Sharma, director Kittiwake Proactive Technologies, presented a paper “Acoustic Emission – A new Condition Monitoring Tool” in the condition monitoring section of this event. This included reference to a paper by Dr Holroyd of Kittiwake Holroyd, Acoustic Emission (AE) experts. The conference was well attended with interesting discussions on the merits of AE compared with traditional Vibration techniques in the condition monitoring field.

National Tribology Conference 2011

Article of Interest – Poll supports review of statutory flash point limit

Posted on November 17, 2011 by kitti

A recent article on Bunkerworld examined the current opinion on flash point limits:

“Flash point refers to the lowest temperature at which a fuel can vaporise to form an ignitable mixture in air

Nearly half of respondents to a poll on Bunkerworld believe it would be safe to reduce the current 60°C minimum flash point limit for marine fuels, either to 55°C, or possibly even lower.

The poll asked if it was time for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to review the minimum flash point limit for marine distillate fuels.

A 60°C minimum flash point limit is set under the IMO’s SOLAS regulation, making it a statutory requirement. It is also the minimum limit in the commercially used ISO 8217 global fuel specification.

There has been an increase in supply of ‘off-spec’ low sulphur low sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) where the flash point is near or below the minimum 60°C limit, indicating that fuels from the inland market are finding their way into the marine fuels sector/

This is expected to get worse as demand for low sulphur MGO increases due to regulations requiring ships to use fuels with maximum 0.1% sulphur content, and has led to calls for a review of the limit from some parts of the shipping industry.

The question hinges around what limit represents an acceptable safety risk on board ships, and if limits considered acceptable for land-based fuels can be translated to safe ship operations.

27% of the poll respondents said they think the flash point limit can safely be changed to 55°C, which would bring it into line with the limit for inland distillate fuels inEurope.

A significant share, 19%, replied they think the limit can safely be changed to 55°C or even lower.

The biggest share of votes, 42%, said the IMO and the ISO should research safe limits and change it as appropriate.

Only 13% of the Bunkerworld poll respondents said they think the limit must stay at 60°C minimum for safety reasons.

Discussions about the poll question on Bunkerworld and other on-line fora pointed to several observers welcoming a lower limit as they think the current 60°C minimum limit is over cautious and out of date.

One motivation, which may be important to bunker suppliers, is to reduce the potential for ‘off-spec’ claims.

Because of the statutory nature and safety implications of the flash point limit, which can potentially leave a ship out of class, off-spec cases are more likely to lead to costly debunkerings than other types of off-spec fuels. Other types of off-spec fuels might be manageable for the vessel as long as they know about the problem and can give it special attention during onboard fuel treatment.

Another motivation, which has been advocated by shipping giant Maersk and the shipping organisation BIMCO, is that reducing the limit for distillates to 55°C could open a wider supply basis for the marine fuels market. This would be particularly relevant when demand for low sulphur MGO is set to soar with the introduction of a 0.10% sulphur limit in Emission Control Areas.

A warning, however, came from Mike Ball, bunker manager with Gearbulk (UK) Ltd, that opening for the use of automotive gas oil for shipping would also increase the risk of product containing bio-fuels entering the marine fuels market, bringing “another set of issues for the shipowner to manage.”

Several observers have pointed out that even if there was a review, it would be a huge challenge to change the flash point limit for marine fuel because it is embedded in a range of IMO conventions, codes and resolutions that refer to the current limit.

The poll was open for voting by the industry from August 24 to November 9, 2011 and attracted responses from a wide range of industry participants, including bunker providers, buyers, fuel testing agencies, other marine service sectors and industry observers

The new poll on Bunkerworld looks at the issue of whether the transition to the global 3.50% sulphur limit, due from the start of 2012, will be a challenge. Votes and comments are welcome on the poll which you can access by clicking on this link.”

11th November 2011 11:03 GMT

Global sales conference takes place at Kittiwake

Posted on November 14, 2011 by kitti

On the 31st October Kittiwake sales representatives from across the globe arrived at the Kittiwake head office for a week of presentations, discussions and workshops. The conference was overseen by Dr Steve Dye, Business Development Manger at Kittiwake, and was attended by the sales teams from the UK, America, Malaysia, India, & Germany. Delegates from Kittiwake’s recently acquired group companies, Kittiwake Procal & Kittiwake Holroyd were also present and shared their knowledge into the fields of Gas Emissions monitoring & Acoustic Vibration analysis. The agenda covered the current product range including hands-on training, Kittiwake’s target markets, R&D projects as well as future directions.

Transocean place order for Kittiwake ThrusterSCAN

Posted on October 19, 2011 by kitti

ThrusterSCAN marks a new era in online condition monitoring for azimuthing thrusters, helping to predict failure, enabling preventative maintenance and ultimately reducing costly downtime.

Kittiwake’s ThrusterSCAN will be installed on Transocean’s eight-thruster Development Driller III rig. ThrusterSCAN delivers early warning of thruster component damage, lubricant degradation and seal leaks / failures; providing critical information to help optimise thruster operating parameters and effectively manage overhaul schedules. Real time feedback ensures that any changes are highlighted as they start to occur, rather than at scheduled inspections when it may be too late to heed the warning and implement preventative measures.

Peter Pilon, CEO, Kittiwake Americas, commented: “We are delighted by today’s announcement, which is a culmination of Kittiwake’s development of online solutions for monitoring lube oil over the past decade. We have been fine-tunng our offshore application-specific ThrusterSCAN product for the last two years with detailed technical input and support from Transocean. Developed and tailored for particular requirements of the oil and gas industry, ThrusterSCAN provides essential condition monitoring information that enables rig operators to make confident decisions that optimize operations.”

Martin Lucas, Managing Director, Kittiwake Group commented: “The appointment of Peter Pilon as Kittiwake Americas CEO last year and the opening of an office in Houston has provided a spring board to growth within the oil and gas market. This relationship with Transocean is testimony to the value delivered by our asset protection technology. Kittiwake continues to research and develop market-leading products that anable maintenance engineers to make fast and informed decisions in an industry where there is an increasing onus on operational efficiency and performance. To further demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the US’ marine and offshore market, we are seconding our sensor specialist, Mike Dines, to Houston.”

Click here to read more about the ThrusterSCAN system.

ThrusterSCAN Monitoring System

Kittiwake representatives travel to China for Asia Pacific Dealer Conference

Posted on October 4, 2011 by kitti

On the 20th and 21st September, representatives from Kittiwake’s network of dealers came together for the 4th Asia Pacific Dealer Conference. This year’s event was hosted at the Parkview Hotel in Shanghai, China. The conference was hosted by Martin Lucas, Kittiwake’s Managing Director, with the support of Steve Dye, Business Development Manager and Zainudin Yahya, Managing Director of Kittiwake Asia Pacific.

Asia Pacific is a significant market for Kittiwake, with reported growth of 8% and 7.8% for 2011 and 2012 respectively. This is reflected by Kittiwake’s sales in Asia Pacific over the past 5 years showing a double digit growth. With the Marine industry as Kittiwake’s largest market, the presence of shipping hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong are of particular relevance.

The two day conference was well attended and focussed on Kittiwake’s worldwide activities with an in-depth look at the Asia Pacific region. The current product range and Kittiwake’s recent corporate activities were reviewed, with a glimpse of new technologies that will enhance Kittiwake’s range of offerings. The conference wasn’t limited to work, with delegates enjoying a scenic cruise along the HungPu river, taking in the sights of Bund Street and the Shanghai Telecom Tower.

Kittiwake acquires acoustic emission pioneer, Holroyd

Posted on June 15, 2011 by kitti

Kittiwake Developments, a leading global provider of asset control and protection technology, today announced the acquisition of Holroyd Instruments, a world-leading manufacturer of acoustic emission technology. The newly named Kittiwake Holroyd supplies acoustic emission instruments for the early detection of problems in a wide range of applications, all relating to monitoring the condition of rotating machinery.

Martin Lucas, Managing Director, Kittiwake Developments explained: ” Holroyd’s acoustic emission technology places the power of condition monitoring directly into the hands of every engineer. Traditional vibration analysis has provided a trusted approach to condition monitoring for the past thirty years, but it is a complex science and requires sophisticated knowledge and understanding. Holroyd’s acoustic emission approach to vibration and stress offers a viable alternative, extending and simplifying the science, making it accessible to anyone”.

Providing real time information with early sensitivity to faults and applicability to a wide range of rotational speeds, the acoustic technique is based on the detection of the high frequency component of naturally occurring stress waves. Suitable for continuously running machinery as well as machinery operating intermittently or for short durations, acoustic emission allows the user to diagnose problems with machinery at an early stage, carry out maintenance procedures and then monitor the improvement.

Holroyd’s product range includes portable instruments, permanently installed remote sensors for areas of difficult access, as well as stand-alone programme smart sensors for continuous surveillance. The company has pioneered autonomous signal processing algorithms – for example its Distress® parameter – which remove the need for machine specific interpretations.

Trevor Holroyd, technical director, Kittiwake Holroyd commented: “We know – unequivocally – that Holroyd’s acoustic emission technology is unrivalled. The alliance with Kittiwake provides the infrastructure, global scale and market knowledge to unlock the growth potential that we know is possible, and we have no doubt that the marketplace is hungry for this simple but effective addition to the condition monitoring weapons armoury”.

Lucas concluded: “As the importance of avoiding down time, generating efficiencies and increasing machinery life continues to escalate, Kittiwake is committed to developing technologies that empower the user to make better decisions, faster. By ‘deskilling’ technology we enable informed maintenance decisions to be made quickly and with confidence.

“This latest addition to the Kittiwake product portfolio ensures that we continue to provide out customers with market-leading asset control and protection solutions that directly impact the bottom line. We’re looking forward to working with this dedicated team of specialists, with years of experience in the design, manufacture and development of acoustic emission techniques to provide yet another form of cost effective asset protection for our customers”.

Despite the challenging financial climate, Kittiwake Developments achieved approaching 10% growth last year. This latest announcement follows the recent acquisition of Procal, a provider of in-situ emissions monitoring technology. Kittiwake continues to explore various expansion strategies to achieve ambitious growth plans, with significant announcements expected during the second half of 2011.

Holroyd

Kittiwake to exhibit at OTC 2011

Posted on April 21, 2011 by kitti

Continuous on-line monitoring provides the most representative picture of asset condition. Changes are highlighted as they start to occur and not just at planned inspection levels.

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), held annually in Houston, is the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection.

At OTC 2011 Kittiwake will be exhibiting the innovative new RIGmonitor as well as a range of our established on-board solutions. Find out how we can help you make informed decisions about asset operation, lubricant changes, emissions levels, and service intervals, on the spot.

Reduce Risk
Increase Up-Time
Implement Predictive Service Intervals
Full Critical Asset Coverage
Simple to Use
Rapid Integration

For more information visit us at Booth 2341-E or email marketing@kittiwake.com

For more information about the event please click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!