Thanks for your support and good report.
I would add that for the airend testing:
1. The reason TTM was picked for this airend project is that they have experienced some compressor damage in the past due to “ hard turning at Start”, due to machine ingesting Some degree of Toxic gas, mixing with condensate, and causing corrosion in the second stage while in “ stand-by “ mode. This was investigated carefully and determined to be the root cause of damages.
2. After, realizing conditions in item “1”, TTM modified and reduced the stand-by compressor period, and also followed our recommendations to first, rotate machine in stand-by mode to be sure unit was free to rotate. After this change TTM’s hard turning on starting and damages were reduced or eliminated.
3. As for the “ New Airend”, it is not a prototype, All internal parts, design, bearing , seals, shafts are same as original 50 year design. Only one change is the internal rotor and housing coatings used to fight against “ corrosion “. This is seen by IR as an improvement, and benefit to any customer who has conditions like we talked about above. IR and PE&E, are more than willing to share data with TTM, taken during the airend testing period and report but also would prefer not to have this sent out to all the world until final conclusions are made . Other testing is on going as well. Everyone feels that this is a very , very low risk field test, and Customer has his original airend at hand, and back up air capacity as well.
If you have any questions please let me know.
All the Best,
Larry