Considerations Regarding the Dynamic Balancing of Complex Rotors

Abstract

Dynamic balancing of the rotor is a fundamental requirement for the smooth operation of any turbomachinery. Unbalance in a machine is recognized as one of the major factors that can lead to machinery malfunction and even catastrophic failure, and may result from its initial manufacturing process or may occur as a result of various operating factors such as machine erosion, thermal effects or unbalance buildup of process material on impellers and surfaces of the rotor. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the theory behind the dynamic balancing of rotors and to describe the process of applying it in the case of a complex rotor. The paper details the types of unbalance in rotors that have been classified, initial unbalance resulting from manufacturing or those that appear while operating, and the process of balancing of rigid rotors (two centrifugal compressor rotors) and a flexible rotor (the main assembly which contains the two centrifugal compressor rotors)..