Topaz embraces Internet of Things with Baker Hughes collaboration on VitalyX Lubricant Monitoring System
Published by Naomi Holliman,
Digital Editorial Assistant
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
Topaz Energy and Marine, an offshore marine logistics company, has signed a long-term agreement and placed an order with Baker Hughes, a GE company, to collaborate on deploying Baker Hughes’ lubricant condition monitoring system, VitalyX. It is hoped this move will aid the maintenance and upkeep of Topaz’s fleet of vessels and help to increase field time for each vessel.
VitalyX is expected to be deployed on the entire module carrying vessel fleet for Topaz in late 2019 and is the largest single collaboration with the technology since it was unveiled at Baker Hughes’ annual meeting in January.
Utilising the 'Internet of Things' by combining the latest sensor hardware with condition monitoring software, the real-time data produced from VitalyX will provide Topaz with vital technical information on the condition of its vessels and the maintenance required to achieve optimal performance. Specifically, sensors will be deployed in key equipment onboard, such as the engine, thrusters and genset which will monitor the lube oil for contaminants, such as metal particles and soot.
The system also monitors for the presence of water, salt water, glycol, fuel dilution, TBN and TAN index, assisting in predicting equipment failures and improving the life cycle of the lube oil. VitalyX aims to improve the ability to predict and prevent breakdowns before they happen, helping to minimise costs and better plan condition-based maintenance for more efficient dry-docking.
This is the first collaboration between the two companies.
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/09052019/topaz-embraces-internet-of-things-with-baker-hughes-collaboration-on-vitalyx-lubricant-monitoring-system/
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