On-line equipment condition monitoring based maintenance

Abstract

[Abstract]: Incitec Pivot Limited’s (IPL) Southern Cross Operations (SCO) operates an integrated mining and processing complex at Phosphate Hill and Mt Isa, producing one million tonnes of high analysis fertiliser per annum. Working with the Southern Cross Operation Engineering Alliance in Townsville a research project was undertaken for the client; IPL. Several options were presented that were motivated by product improvement opportunities; it was negotiated with USQ and IPL that the topic of On-Line Equipment Condition Monitoring Based Maintenance be investigated. SCO are continually striving to identity improvement for efficiency, reliability, quality and productivity. By recognising production constraints and other areas where improvements can be made, recommendations are put forward based on analysis of operational data and the use of information management systems. The following project aims to improve the reliability and performance of centrifugal pumps in the Phosphoric Acid Plant by fully utilizing the existing process monitoring instrumentation. Through monitoring the process it is hoped that key indicators of pump failure can be derived and passed on as an automatic maintenance notification.