Alfa Laval has introduced Cosmos, an acronym for Condition Status Monitoring System. The company said that by launching the system it had made a "quantum leap in the real-time monitoring of key components on its centrifugal separators".

"Consisting of a computer, a data receiving unit and a number of sensors which continuously measure vibrations in a separator, Cosmos is able to monitor bearings, disc stack compression, bowls, nozzles, motors, couplings, paring discs and other key components.

"According to Alfa Laval Separation, it even has the capability of telling the user if the wrong type of oil has been added to the gearbox," said the company. Explaining the system, it said it worked by converting vibration signals to 13 parameters that describe the rotational frictional and shock forces working within the centrifuge. The computer then analysed the values and updated the machine status on a continuous basis. If any significant changes in any of the values occurred the system sounded the alarm and notified an operator.

Data collection can either be analysed on site or remotely via a modem. "In pilot installations around the world, Cosmos has demonstrated its ability to monitor and identify faults throughout a wide range of processors. Its user-friendly design makes it easy for an operator to identify a fault condition. The condition of the machine is continuously displayed on a screen in a simple three-colour code," the company said.

Where Cosmos has to be used off-line for duties where continuous monitoring is not deemed necessary, Alfa Laval has recommended regular condition monitoring visits by one of their specialist service technicians who will use a portable unit to check the status of the machine in question.