Turbine Lube Oil Dehydrator/Conditioners Maintain Critical Oil Properties and Save Turbines from Sudden and Routine Water, Particulate and Air/Gas Ingression

Many power plant engineers can attest to the importance of protecting a turbine’s lubrication system from the damaging effects of water, particulate and air/gas ingression. The most practical and effective way to do this is by using a turbine lube oil conditioner.

To understand the benefits of using a turbine lube oil conditioner, first it is important to understand the harmful effects that water, gas and particulate contamination have on a turbine lubrication system. Water can cause corrosion, pitting and erosion of a turbine’s components. It can also degrade the oil’s compressibility and exponentially increase oil oxidation.  Whether water is free, dissolved or emulsified it will damage critical components like bearings and journals, interfering with proper functioning of the turbine. Water concentration should be kept as low as possible at all times.

Particulates, such as precipitants, dust, and wear metal, can also damage a turbine’s components. These contaminants lead to abrasive wear and sludge formation, damaging lubricated surfaces and clogging channels and orifices critical to oil circulation and cooling. These issues shorten the lifespan of turbine components while reducing overall performance and efficiency. Particulate levels should be kept well within the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent this.

Now, let’s consider how a turbine lube oil conditioner can help to protect the lubrication system from these harmful effects.  Conditioners combine particulate filtration, bulk water separation (via a coalescing filter) and vacuum dehydration to achieve the primary functions of removing all forms of water, gases and suspended solids from the oil.  Combining these components into one system presents a single budgetline approval for a compact, economical solution to managing just about any oil contamination scenario.  Install one relatively small skid to prevent corrosion, wear, fouling and other forms of damage to turbine lubrication systems.

In addition to removing contaminants, a turbine lube oil conditioner helps maintain critical properties of the oil. As the conditioner removes water, gases and particulate, it helps reduce acid formation, maintain optimum compressibility and viscosity and reduce overall oxidation. By stabilizing the oil, the conditioner extends the life of the lubricating oil and improves the performance of the lubrication system.

Another benefit of using a turbine lube oil conditioner is that it can help to reduce the frequency of oil changes. This can result in cost savings and reduced downtime for the power plant. It can also help to reduce the amount of waste oil generated, reducing a plant’s environmental impact.

Overall, using a turbine lube oil conditioner improves the reliability and efficiency of a turbine lubrication system, resulting in cost savings and reduced downtime for the power plant. It can also extend the life of the lubricating oil and the turbine itself, resulting in long-term cost savings.

Given these benefits, investing in a turbine lube oil conditioner is an important consideration for power plant engineers looking to protect the turbine lubrication system from the damaging effects of water, gas and particulate ingression. By taking proactive measures to address these contaminants with this cost-effective, integrated system, power plant engineers can improve the reliable and performance of their turbines, resulting in a more successful and profitable power plant.

PowerFlow Fluid Systems manufactures one of the best Turbine Lube Oil Conditioners available today. Check out our XLC Series here https://www.pwrfs.com/product/powerflow-xlc-series-turbine-lube-oil-conditioners/