HATLAPA also investigates practice in ship operation apart from constant quality control for the current series production and for the supply of spare parts world-wide.

Long years’ experience has shown that the valve plates and springs are only partly changed during compressor valve maintenance.

HATLAPA has simulated such practice on their test bench. Used valves were installed on various compressor types and in different pressure stages. The used valves were not completed in full with new internal parts. Seemingly "still" intact components were re-fitted to the valves with very unpleasant results which can cause high expenditure for ship operation:

If only single valve plates and springs are replaced:

 -      then valve components with a differing working life are in the valve. The valve must unnecessarily be often dismantled, due to reluctant replacement during maintenance.
 -      a visual inspection does not reveal what working life the non-replaced parts will reach. There is the danger that the old plates and springs will break, thus the valve has no capacity. In the worst case the plates and springs break up and the bits and pieces fall into the compression chamber, damaging piston and cylinder!
 -      the probability is large that the valve parts and the valve will no longer seal properly in the suction and pressure direction. Arising turbulences lead to increasing temperatures, which again favour coking in the valve range. In the end there is again valve failure and thus compressor failure.

We carry out these test to give concrete information for the best in ship operation. Our results show that is worthwhile installing a new complete set of internal parts during valve maintenance. Because in the end unnecessary work or even repair costs are avoided.

HATLAPA service wishes "Bon Voyage"!

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