Open Access
Case Report
22 August 2025Root Cause Identification of Vibration and Wear Due to Strainer Obstruction in Hydrocarbon Processing Compressors
This study examines the root causes of vibration and wear in centrifugal compressors, particularly emphasising strainer obstruction in hydrocarbon processing environments. Strainer fouling is primarily driven by deposits from inlet gas compositions and deviations in operating conditions, which restrict flow, increase vibration, and accelerate component degradation. A combined methodology was applied to investigate these issues, including baroscopic inspection of compressor internals, chemical analysis of deposited materials, and evaluation of operational records against design specifications. Maintenance histories and strainer cleaning frequencies were also reviewed to establish links between performance decline and operating practices. The findings show that chemical cleaning is the most effective and cost-efficient solution, outperforming high-pressure water jet cleaning and full compressor overhauls by minimising downtime, restoring flow dynamics, and improving mechanical stability. Successful implementation across multiple compressors confirmed its scalability and reliability. This research validates chemical cleaning as a preferred maintenance strategy, delivering significant operational and economic benefits while extending compressor service life.
Open Access
Article
09 September 2025Multi-Response Optimization of Rigid Flange Coupling Using Taguchi Design, ANOVA, and FEA in Dual Environmental Conditions
This study investigates the mechanical behaviour and optimization of rigid flange couplings operating under two distinct environmental conditions: normal atmospheric air and high-pressure oil surroundings. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was employed to evaluate material combinations for the shaft, flange, and bolt based on four mechanical responses: total deformation, equivalent stress, shear stress, and normal stress. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression modelling were used to identify significant parameters, with flange material consistently emerging as the most influential factor. Desirability analysis was conducted to determine the optimal material configurations for each environment. Under atmospheric conditions, the combination of C30 shaft, FG200 flange, and C45 bolt achieved a composite desirability of 0.6667. In high-pressure oil conditions, the optimal configuration was C45 shaft, FG260 flange, and C45 bolt, with a desirability of 0.7185. These optimal settings, not present in the original matrix, were independently validated using finite element analysis (FEA). The comparison between regression predictions and FEA results showed strong agreement, with a maximum percentage error of 6.02%, within acceptable engineering limits. This study confirms that environmental pressure significantly influences coupling performance and that material selection should be tailored accordingly. The integration of statistical optimization and simulation offers a robust framework for designing couplings in pressure-sensitive applications.
Open Access
Article
11 September 2025Investigation of Structure of the High-Entropy Alloy Al0.5CoCrCuFeNi
A detailed examination of the structure of the high-entropy alloy Al0.5CoCrCuFeNi at room temperature was carried out using different methods of optical microscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray structural analysis techniques. Numerical estimates of the dislocation density ∼5⋅1015 m−2, the mean size of the ordered (crystalline) domains ~18 nm and lattice micro strain ∼3⋅10−3 were obtained through Williamson-Hall analysis of XRD patterns. The estimates of the dislocation density were found to correlate with the estimates of the total length of dislocation segments per unit volume, which effectively interact with elastic vibrations of the sample ∼4⋅1013 m−2, as previously determined from acoustic relaxation measurements. This is consistent with the idea that a significant portion of dislocations are concentrated in grain boundaries, and only dislocation segments located inside grains and having a favourable orientation with respect to the direction of sound wave propagation can effectively interact with cyclic deformation of the sample.
Open Access
Review
22 September 2025Advances in Recycling and Reuse Technologies for Textile Fiber Material Products
Global industrialization and rising living standards have driven widespread adoption of fiber materials. However, the rapid growth of the textile industry has also caused substantial resource depletion and environmental pollution. Each year, over 92 million tons of textile waste are generated worldwide, most of which is landfilled or incinerated, while only a small proportion is recycled. This paper systematically reviews the latest advancements in the recycling and reuse of fiber-based products, focusing on mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling technologies and the reapplication of recycled fibers. Mechanical recycling is a mature and cost-effective process, but it results in reduced fiber quality. Chemical recycling can produce high-purity raw materials, yielding regenerated fibers with properties close to virgin fibers, but the process is complex and energy-intensive. Biological recycling operates under mild conditions with low energy consumption but is limited by low efficiency and long reaction times. This paper also explores the applications of recycled fibers in regenerated apparel, automotive textiles, construction materials, medical supplies, and eco-friendly filtration materials. Fiber recycling technologies should advance toward greener, more innovative, and circular economy-oriented approaches. Technological innovation, industrial collaboration, and policy guidance can significantly enhance the resource utilization of textile waste.