WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

LubricaTION & Filtration featureFailure preventionthat’s a breeze!MP Filtria key link in thewind energy drivechainEmerging in many areas of hydraulics(including gearbox applications), bothsuppliers & customers are required toassure component and/or fluid cleanlinessbefore making procurement decisions.In parallel to this, commercialexpectations are placing greaterpressure on OEM’s to provideextended warranties on theirproducts.intended for offshore installation. Atthe heart of the nacelle is the gearbox.Transferring high torque from the blades,to electricity producing speed at thegenerator is what it does. Measuringand maintaining this performance isparamount,and thatis wherefor the gearbox manufacturers andpresented a unique challenge for us.Turbulent, viscous flow promotes theingress of air into a fluid. The nature ofoptical contamination instruments canmake them sensitive to entrained air andin turn can affect the reliability of solidcontamination results.“We worked closely with existingand potential clients to eliminate theproblem by suppressing air withina self-contained circuit, therebyimproving measurement, confidence& accuracy. With our range of filtrationproducts and a solid customer servicecharter behind us, we are faced with afantastic opportunity to grow with ourcustomers”.RenewableenergyRenewable energy hasbeen at the forefront ofindustry endeavour forsome time now, takingthe media spotlightfor a multitude ofreasons. The UK’sgeographic locationis conducive to theconditions necessaryfor efficient &predictable electricityproduction. Coupled withcommitment and financialbacking by the government - wind energywill play an important role in our futureenergy production, with its deploymentpivoting around key innovation anddecision making in the supply chain.UK investmentThe UK has invested significantly in recentyears, paving the way for what is now aleading renewable energy centre (NAREC)located in the North East of England.This enormous purpose built “laboratory”enables both the reduction of greenhousegas emissions in energy production and afoundation for improvements in reliabilityand safety.Life-bloodThe life-blood for many of these systemsis the hydrocarbon based control fluidswhich facilitate efficient operation. Aturbine that does not rotate is “dead inthe water”, a statement that is especiallytrue for the monumentally large generatorsGloucestershire based company, MP Filtrihave stepped up to the challenge.CollaborationWorking in collaboration with gearboxmanufacturers and drawing from a historyof expertise in contamination control,MP Filtri have developed a range ofinstrumentation and filtration products,culminating in the release of a productspecifically designed for the turbulent/aerated conditions typical of gearboxesand other industrial systems.The ACMU (AuxiliaryContamination Monitoring Unit)The ACMU marries the company’sestablished optical technology with arange of communication protocols for easyintegration with user control systems.MP Filtri’s Project Engineer commented,“Measuring contamination in thisenvironment is desperately importantProviding extended warrantiesEmerging in many areas of hydraulics(including gearbox applications),both suppliers & customersare required to assurecomponent and/or fluidcleanliness beforemaking procurementdecisions. In parallelto this, commercialexpectations areplacing greaterpressure on OEM’sto provide extendedwarranties on theirproducts. Service toolslike MP Filtri’s ACMU help deliver this.Collaborative innovationCollaborative innovation is key if investmentand project success are to be guaranteed.In this example the company highlightshow the success of enormous, mediaspotlighted projects are as much aboutexpertise and service further down thesupply chain as they are through the effortsof the OEM’s & facilities like NAREC.Both ends of the scale are inextricablylinked. With success stories like this wecan surely look forward to prosperous,sustainable energy for generations to come.MP Filtriwww.mpfiltri.co.ukClick to view more info74www.windenergynetwork.co.uk