TSMC 116 S
Sabroe TSMC 116 S — Two-stage reciprocating compressor (4 HP + 12 LP cylinders) for low-temperature industrial refrigeration; R717, R22, R134a, R404A, R507.
Engine Specifications
Inspector Detail
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Common issues
- Suction/discharge valve plate wear or breakage causing capacity loss and audible knocking
- Oil carryover or foaming with the ammonia charge leading to low oil pressure trips
- Capacity control (cylinder unloader) solenoid or linkage sticking
- Shaft seal (gland) leakage
- Liquid slugging from insufficient suction superheat, damaging valves and pistons
- Oil separator inefficiency causing excess oil circulation into the refrigerant system
- Suction strainer fouling reducing capacity and causing low suction pressure
Inspection checklist
- Inspect suction and discharge valve plates for wear, pitting or broken reeds at the scheduled interval
- Check the shaft seal for oil weeping or leakage
- Verify crankcase oil level, pressure and condition, checking for refrigerant dilution or foaming
- Check capacity control unloader operation on all cylinder banks (4 HP + 12 LP)
- Inspect and clean the suction strainer
- Verify safety and relief valve settings and test dates
- Check cylinder head and valve cage bolting torque per the maker's schedule
- Log suction/discharge pressure and temperature and compare to baseline for signs of valve leakage
- Inspect crankshaft/connecting rod big-end bearing clearance at major overhaul
- Check coupling and motor alignment
Service intervals
| Oil change/filter renewal | typically every 4,000-8,000 running hours or per oil analysis - confirm against the current Sabroe manual for this frame size |
| Valve plate inspection | typically every 8,000-12,000 running hours or on capacity/efficiency drop - confirm against the maker's recommendation |
| Shaft seal replacement | condition-based, typically on leakage or every 2-4 years of continuous duty |
| Major overhaul (bearings, running gear) | commonly in the 20,000-40,000 running hour range for two-stage ammonia reciprocating compressors of this size - strongly duty-dependent, confirm against running hours and oil analysis trend |
Typical wear limits
| Piston ring end gap | typically around 0.3-0.5 mm for the compressor's 100 mm bore as a general reciprocating-compressor guideline - confirm against the maker's limit |
| Big-end bearing clearance | typically in the order of 0.05-0.15 mm radial for this compressor class - confirm against the maker's limit |
| Valve plate lift/wear | no universal figure - renew once the reed or ring shows a visible wear step, pitting, or fails the maker's flatness check |
Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.
Critical spares
- Suction/discharge valve plate assemblies (HP and LP)
- Shaft seal kit
- Piston rings and gudgeon pin bushings
- Big-end and main bearing shells
- Safety relief valve
- Oil pump
- Gasket and O-ring overhaul kit
Safety
- Ammonia (R717) is toxic and flammable in the right concentration - a leak response requires SCBA, not general PPE
- High-pressure refrigerant system - isolate and pump down before opening any part of the compressor
- Hot discharge lines and cylinder heads present a burn hazard
- Liquid refrigerant slugging can cause violent valve or piston failure - never bypass low suction superheat protections
- Rotating flywheel/coupling guards must be fitted and secure before start
Class survey
Refrigeration compressors serving classed cargo/provision systems are typically included in Continuous Survey Machinery (CSM) with periodic function tests of safety cut-outs (high pressure, low oil pressure, motor overload); class will want relief valve test certificates and safety trip test records.
Components & Design
Component data being added…
Technical Data
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Common failures & inspection points
Check valve condition: inspect suction and discharge valves (ring plate valves) for wear, cracking, or leakage; replace worn valve seats and springs
Piston and cylinder liner inspection: measure bore wear, check piston rings for gap and side clearance, inspect cylinder liners for scoring or corrosion
Oil system check: verify oil pressure, inspect oil separator for carry-over, check oil filter differential pressure and oil level in crankcase
Shaft seal and gasket inspection: check crankshaft seal for leaks, inspect cylinder head and inter-stage gaskets for refrigerant leakage
Capacity control system: inspect hydraulic unloaders, solenoid valves, and capacity regulation cylinders for correct operation and leakage
Bearing and connecting rod inspection: check main and connecting rod bearings for clearance, wear, and lubrication; verify crankshaft end-play
Safety device verification: test high-pressure and low-pressure cutout switches, oil pressure differential switch, and motor overload protections; verify UniSAB controller settings
Vibration and alignment check: measure compressor unit vibration levels, verify motor-to-compressor alignment, inspect anti-vibration mounts and foundation bolts
Type-general inspection and maintenance points for this equipment category — not model-specific.
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