Machinery Lubrication May June 2014 May June 2014 | Page 11

MLI

FROM THE FIELD
WOJCIECH MAJKA AND TOMAS KLIMA, ECOL, POLAND

FROM T
ROM THE
FIE
FIELD

Hydrodynamic Cleaning and FLUSHING

of Turbine OIL SYSTEMS

One of the most important but

The most reasonable and responsible

underestimated factors impacting the

maintenance strategy is to maintain the

operation of turbines (both steam and

proper condition of the oil and oil

gas) and other machinery is the

system based on a correctly applied oil

condition of the oil, especially its

analysis program, determining not only

“mechanical” cleanliness (presence of

basic oil parameters but also answering

solid particles). Although the need for
appropriate oil care is commonly
accepted among power plants with
regular maintenance practices, the
cleanliness of the oil system interiors
(piping, tanks, coolers, etc.) remains an
issue. Problems caused by dirty oil
systems in machinery such as turbogenerators,

turbo-compressors,

turbo-pumps and other large-scale oil

questions regarding the potential of
varnish formation and other agingrelated properties along with the
general oil and component condition.
Temporarily controlling the system’s
interior

is

also

advised

(using

endoscopy, visual inspection of friction
nodes, control of used filter elements
within their exchange process, etc.). Of
course, the lubricant quality matters as
well.
Unfortunately, from time to time,

Benefits of Hydrodynamic Cleaning and
Flushing of Oil Systems

plants experience significant problems
related to lubrication. A big part of
these problems is associated with the
purity of the oil. While many industry
experts speak about the role of oil
contamination, the issue of achieving
purity of both the oil and oil system is

systems (hydraulics, large stationary
diesel engines, etc.) are quite common.

Dirt in an oil system

often neglected or not discussed in
detail.
So what can you do when severe
deposits,

Hydrodynamic cleaning and flushing with oil at turbulent flow rates offers many
advantages, such as:
• Long-term system and oil purity
• Retention of the natural protective oxide layer on the inner walls of the
pipeline system
• Reduced quantities of flushing oil
• Reduced wear of lubricated parts and extended mean time between repairs
• Significant increase in oil durability (reduced quantities of replacement oil)
• Higher equipment availability
• Significant reduction of filter insert consumption
• No turbine outages due to dirt in the oil system
• Reduced total operation costs

sludge,

varnish

or

rust

formation occurs in an oil system, or
when a newly assembled oil system is
corroded

or

contaminated

with

chemical preservatives or machining
debris? What can be done with large
quantities of wear debris inside an oil
system

after

severe

seizure

and

breakdown of a bearing?
For

trouble-free

operation,

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