Case Study

Next-day Piston Rod Production Restores Plant Operation

Emergency outages can test not only the capabilities of plant personnel, but also the abilities of the companies they rely on for products, services and technical support.

When a fertilizer manufacturing plant in Kansas experienced a major component failure forcing the shutdown of a Dresser-Rand HHE compressor in CO2 service, the outage resulted in a large portion of the plant’s operations being shut down. With no spare on site, the plant needed an expedited solution.

Cook Compression received the call for help and resolved the customer’s problem by the next day.

The Production Timeline

Thursday:

  • At the fertilizer plant, a second-stage piston rod snaps into two pieces during operation. The rod is part of a 12-inch piston and rod assembly.
  • Plant personnel contact the Cook Compression Service Center in Oklahoma City, where the plant’s spare piston rod assembly had recently been received for repair.
  • Cook personnel discover that the spare rod is cracked and must be condemned.
  • Plant personnel place a “hot” order for a new piston rod.
  • The Cook Compression Service Center in Odessa, Texas, manufactures and induction hardens a new rod overnight.

Friday:

  • At 9:30 am, the new rod leaves Odessa on a “hot shot” carrier.
  • The rod arrives at the Cook Compression Service Center in Oklahoma City at 5:30 pm.
  • The rod is assembled with the piston, rings and riders.
  • The new assembly is delivered to the customer in Kansas before midnight.

Exemplary Service

The quick turnaround on this project demonstrates the depth of resources available through the Cook Compression network of manufacturing and service centers, as well as the dedication of Cook personnel to respond when customers need them most.

The fertilizer plant manager acknowledged Cook’s performance and thanked all involved for their exemplary service.

Related Products & Services

Pistons and piston rods

Piston Rod Manufacture

Cook Compression manufactures premium piston rods for all major makes and models of compressors. We also design and manufacture single-piece and segmental compressor pistons.
Quality inspection of compressor piston and rod

Piston Rod Repair

Cook Compression service centers restore worn compressor rods, plungers and pistons to as-new condition. From inspection through final assembly, Cook delivers all materials, labor, logistics and technical support.
Cook Mechanical Field Services logo

Mechanical Field Services

Cook Mechanical Field Services provides on-site maintenance, repair and overhaul services for compressors, drivers, pumps, turbines and other reciprocating and rotating equipment.