Turbomachinery preservation is the set of measures that protect a machine from corrosion, contamination and mechanical damage between delivery and start-up. During construction delays, preservation needs a written plan, regular inspections, complete records and a clear owner.
Large machines often arrive on site long before they are needed, and construction delays can extend that time further. Bearings, seals, shafts and internal surfaces can corrode or be damaged while the machine waits. These problems are often found only at commissioning, when they are most expensive to fix.
Start with the OEM's requirements
The OEM's preservation instructions define what the machine needs, and are usually linked to its warranty. They typically cover storage conditions, preservatives, desiccants, rotor turning intervals, inspection frequency and the period for which the factory preservation remains effective.
Write a site preservation plan
- Which machines and auxiliaries are covered, and where they are stored.
- Storage conditions: indoor or outdoor, covers, ventilation and, where required, heating or dehumidification.
- Preservation tasks and their frequency, such as rotor turning, desiccant checks, nitrogen purge pressure or oil circulation.
- What happens when preservation must be extended beyond the OEM's original period.
- Who performs each task, who checks it and who keeps the records.
Inspect and record
Preservation that is not recorded cannot be demonstrated. Each inspection should record the date, the condition found, the tasks performed and any defects, with photographs where useful. Missing records can create disputes over warranty and responsibility later.
Installed but idle
Machines that have been set and aligned but not commissioned need special attention. They are often exposed to construction activity, dust, water and welding. Openings should stay sealed, and preservation tasks continue until the machine enters commissioning.
Handover of responsibility
Responsibility for preservation often passes between the OEM, the logistics provider, the EPC contractor and the owner. Each handover should be formal, with the condition of the machine and the preservation records accepted by the receiving party.
Before commissioning
Before the machine is started, the preservation must be removed or neutralized as the OEM requires, and the machine inspected. A review of the preservation records at this point helps confirm the machine is ready.