Turbine Systems Analysis
For power generation companies, turbines represent a constant source of concern. Damaged turbines caused by oil deterioration can lead to unexpected downtime, reduced profits and even power shortages. Add to this the painful expense of unnecessarily replacing and safely disposing of thousands of gallons of oil and it becomes abundantly clear that closely monitoring the condition of your turbine oils is absolutely critical.
Avoiding an oil crisis.Viscosity, corrosion protection, anti-foaming, air release and demulsibility are all critical properties of turbine lubricants. However, the key element to a turbine lubricant's lifespan is its oxidation stability. Your oil’s initial ability to resist oxidation is determined by its source and by the method and degree of refinement of the base stock. More critically, oxidation stability is determined by the type and amount of inhibitors blended with the oil. Our standard turbine oil analysis programs feature two separate test packages, each containing a battery of ASTM and Analysts’ laboratory procedures that assess the oil’s composition and state of wear.
Our turbine oil analysis programs feature two separate test packages, each containing a battery of ASTM and Analysts’ laboratory procedures:
Turbine Oil Quality (TOQ) This extensive test package includes spectrochemical and physical properties analyses, total acid number (TAN), appearance, water content, color, rust resistance capability, particle count analysis, Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test (RPVOT), copper corrosion, water separability, and foaming tests. TOQ provides turbine owners with a complete measurement of the quality of new oil and comprehensive assurance of ongoing oil quality.
Our TOQ test package is recommended for new oil and new oil charges (prior to the oil’s installation) for both gas and steam turbines. For gas turbines, TOQ should be performed every 500 hours during the first six months of service; thereafter, every 1500-2000 hours. For steam turbines, TOQ is recommended every 2-3 months during the oil’s first 12 months of service; then performed biannually.
Turbine Oil Monitoring (TOM®)This package includes all TOQ procedures except tests for copper corrosion, water separability and foaming. TOM is recommended every 500 hours for gas turbine oils. For steam turbine oils, TOM should be conducted monthly, except when the more extensive TOQ testing is performed. TOM evaluates the condition of the lubricant throughout its service life.
Other turbine oils testing:
RPVOT (ASTM D-2272) Our laboratory analysis testing measures the oxidation stability of turbine oils. In this procedure, oil is exposed to oxidation catalysts including water, copper, high temperature, agitation and oxygen in a sealed, pressurized vessel. During analysis, the pressure of the sample is monitored. When the oil's oxidation inhibitors fail, the oil will begin to absorb the oxygen, resulting in a pressure drop. The result—known as the RPVOT Remaining Life—is expressed in minutes. Depending on the type of oil, ASTM D-2272 takes a few hours to a few days to complete. The RPVOT Remaining Life, when related to the RPVOT Life of the oil when it was new, indicates the characteristics of the oil’s current oxidation stability.
While RPVOT is the standard oxidation stability test featured in Analysts’ turbine oil programs, two other tests are also offered:
The Turbine Oil Oxidation Test (TOST, ASTM D-943)
the Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine (RULER)
Analysts, Inc. is also fully capable of performing advanced, specialized testing procedures required by specific turbine manufacturers.
Download a Turbine Oil Analysis PDF
Avoiding an oil crisis.Viscosity, corrosion protection, anti-foaming, air release and demulsibility are all critical properties of turbine lubricants. However, the key element to a turbine lubricant's lifespan is its oxidation stability. Your oil’s initial ability to resist oxidation is determined by its source and by the method and degree of refinement of the base stock. More critically, oxidation stability is determined by the type and amount of inhibitors blended with the oil. Our standard turbine oil analysis programs feature two separate test packages, each containing a battery of ASTM and Analysts’ laboratory procedures that assess the oil’s composition and state of wear.
Our turbine oil analysis programs feature two separate test packages, each containing a battery of ASTM and Analysts’ laboratory procedures:
Turbine Oil Quality (TOQ) This extensive test package includes spectrochemical and physical properties analyses, total acid number (TAN), appearance, water content, color, rust resistance capability, particle count analysis, Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test (RPVOT), copper corrosion, water separability, and foaming tests. TOQ provides turbine owners with a complete measurement of the quality of new oil and comprehensive assurance of ongoing oil quality.
Our TOQ test package is recommended for new oil and new oil charges (prior to the oil’s installation) for both gas and steam turbines. For gas turbines, TOQ should be performed every 500 hours during the first six months of service; thereafter, every 1500-2000 hours. For steam turbines, TOQ is recommended every 2-3 months during the oil’s first 12 months of service; then performed biannually.
Turbine Oil Monitoring (TOM®)This package includes all TOQ procedures except tests for copper corrosion, water separability and foaming. TOM is recommended every 500 hours for gas turbine oils. For steam turbine oils, TOM should be conducted monthly, except when the more extensive TOQ testing is performed. TOM evaluates the condition of the lubricant throughout its service life.
Other turbine oils testing:
RPVOT (ASTM D-2272) Our laboratory analysis testing measures the oxidation stability of turbine oils. In this procedure, oil is exposed to oxidation catalysts including water, copper, high temperature, agitation and oxygen in a sealed, pressurized vessel. During analysis, the pressure of the sample is monitored. When the oil's oxidation inhibitors fail, the oil will begin to absorb the oxygen, resulting in a pressure drop. The result—known as the RPVOT Remaining Life—is expressed in minutes. Depending on the type of oil, ASTM D-2272 takes a few hours to a few days to complete. The RPVOT Remaining Life, when related to the RPVOT Life of the oil when it was new, indicates the characteristics of the oil’s current oxidation stability.
While RPVOT is the standard oxidation stability test featured in Analysts’ turbine oil programs, two other tests are also offered:
The Turbine Oil Oxidation Test (TOST, ASTM D-943)
the Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine (RULER)
Analysts, Inc. is also fully capable of performing advanced, specialized testing procedures required by specific turbine manufacturers.
Download a Turbine Oil Analysis PDF
