Vibration Monitoring for Waste-to-Energy Plants
A waste-to-energy plant runs around the clock, and much of what keeps it running is rotating machinery. Feed-water and process pumps, induced-draft and forced-draft fans, compressors and many smaller drives are spread across the whole site. Vibration trends show developing bearing wear, imbalance, misalignment and looseness early, so maintenance can be planned instead of reacting to a failure.
See how it works – interactive 3D explainer
Istec VibSys in a waste-to-energy plant: press play for the narrated walkthrough (with sound), or pick any chapter.
Monitoring a waste-to-energy plant with VibSys?
Ask us for an offer – quoted prices are available for multiple units and complete systems with sensors, cables and Istec Sphere. Need just one unit? Order it directly from our webshop.
Why balance-of-plant machinery is hard to follow
The number of measurement points is high and the machines are dispersed. Walking routes with a handheld instrument gives a snapshot now and then, but a bearing problem can develop between two rounds. Continuous monitoring at the asset closes that gap and gives maintenance a trend to work from.
Where continuous vibration monitoring adds value
- Pumps: feed-water, condensate, cooling and process pumps.
- Fans and blowers: draft and process air fans where imbalance and bearing wear develop slowly.
- Compressors: air and process compressors and their drives.
- Motors and gearboxes: the drivetrains behind the machines above.
VibSys for dispersed plant monitoring
Istec VibSys is a compact DIN-rail unit with four time-synchronised channels for 2-wire IEPE accelerometers. It installs close to the machine, so sensor cables stay short. Data is processed locally on the device, with up to 32 predefined extractions per channel. Two relay outputs and four 4–20 mA analog outputs, together with Modbus TCP, bring results into your PLC or DCS.
The modular design fits small and large setups. Start with one pump and add units machine by machine. Full signal data goes securely over HTTPS to Istec Sphere for trend monitoring and deeper analysis.
VibSys works with compatible IEPE vibration sensors from any brand. VibSys is intended for condition monitoring and diagnostics; it is not a machinery protection or shutdown system.
Build a monitoring system around your plant
MK-Controls, Istec distributor in Finland, helps you choose measurement points, suitable IEPE sensors and the number of VibSys units, and plan the integration into your control system.
Technical background based on Istec application guidance for balance-of-plant machinery. Istec develops and manufactures VibSys; MK-Controls Oy supplies it in Finland.
Firmware: current VibSys units ship with A01 firmware. The upcoming M40 firmware adds more functions through a normal firmware update – Istec has informed that the hardware stays the same.