Two new 1MW fans in a remote gas cleaning plant have failed within 12 days of operation. Due to high costs a rapid repair and modification was performed without any deeper investigation or measurements. Since the driving frequency was far below the critical speed, a theory was that contact between rotating and stationary part was the reason for failure. In this paper the rotor dynamics is studied by an amplitude limited 4DOF overhung rotor. Simulations indicate that in addition to the ordinary unbalance response there can exist a high amplitude rolling contact mode between the disc and the stationary parts. By analysis of basin of attraction it is concluded that contact is a possible cause for the failure if the damping ratio is low, coefficient of friction is high and the rotor is eccentrically positioned relative to the stator. Measurements on the system are however necessary before a satisfying explanation can be given.
Godkänd; 2006; 20070419 (ysko)