Tag Archives: oil filtration

Transformer oil degassing as a part of comprehensive purification system

Tierra Fuller, , , ,

While operating expensive power equipment, such as compressors, turbines, hydraulic presses, heat exchangers and power transformers, unforeseen malfunctions will happen. In rare cases failures are caused by overvoltage of the grid or human mistake, since operation of power equipment is a safety issue. Equipment downtime, failures and malfunctions are most often caused by the problems of internal components or insulation. Oil of various kinds are used for servicing of different industrial machinery. As a result of contamination by solid particles or moisture and air, as well as high temperatures, equipment may fail which may stop the whole manufacturing process.

Comprehensive oil purification systems are becoming more used recently; if before industrial oil service life could be extended by separate degassing, drying and filtration systems, with totally spent oil being disposed of, now operation of comprehensive oil purification and regeneration systems becomes preferable.

Removing gas, water emulsions, and harmful oxidation products form the oil extends the service life of the expensive insulation material and ensures the power equipment is adequately protected.

Comparison of purification and regeneration plants made by different companies yields significant differences.

Most of the modern manufacturers emphasize removal of water in all forms and solid particles from turbine, compressor, hydraulic and industrial water. Removal of air, gas and volatile hydrocarbons is a secondary function.

Despite the normal production levels of such systems and their seeming versatility, there are other options with more worth.

The whole range of GlobeCore degassing, purification and regeneration of oil by GlobeCore is focused on all processes at the same time, in one pass and with reactivation of purifying media.

One full regeneration cycle of oil coming directly from power equipment allows to remove gas, water and particulate matter form the oil; it is also possible to use adsorption media to regenerate the oil entirely. GlobeCore’s sorbents offer additional savings due to the reactivation capability.

A complete GlobeCore plant for degassing, filtration and regeneration of oil and other liquids is an optimal choice of service equipment for control of production process and ruling out any unpleasant surprises.

Using of the turbine oil: benefits and testing

Tierra Fuller, , , , ,

Oil used in various industries are divided into various types and subtypes. Physical properties and chemical composition divide oil into classes and categories. Various industries require specific oil types.

There is a group of oils for the energy industry, which includes turbine, dielectric (transformer) and compressor oils. Specific requirements are applied to each of the categories.

Also, depending on oil type, moisture and gas content are regulated, as well as some other specifications.

Since oils inevitably age with time under the influence of water and solid particle contamination, the natural process of oil consumption becomes a problem related to the costs of repairs and downtime, with the obvious adverse effect on company revenues.

In the case of turbine oil, sediment on the surface of internal parts may lead to serious problems, including wear of regulation devices, command valves etc. In turn, moisture promotes corrosion, dilutes anti-oxidation additives and increases foaming, which also degrades lubrication.

Therefore, power generation facilities implement systems for turbine oil quality control both during operation and storage. Neglecting the regulations may cause serious problems for turbines, including failures and extended downtime due to complete or partial breakdown of equipment.

Contamination of turbine oils leads to degradation of their original properties and reduces efficiency of oil filled equipment. In the most severe cases this will cause serious malfunctions, requiring long costly repairs.

Coming back to the issues of equipment downtime due to failures and repairs, let us refer to the statistics. Research shows that in similar situations in power plants (thermal and nuclear), turbine adjustment system failure rate has grown in recent decades, including failures of internal rotating part bearings. All of the cases were related to contamination of turbine oil.

The causes named above, after a look at power plant failure statistics, require efficient solutions.

The simplest and the most obvious solution is oil quality control and oil replacement. In practice this is, however, complicated, spawning several problems. First, complete removal of oil, sediment and other contaminants is impossible. Second, the disposal of used oil is a problem in itself. Constant disposal costs may eventually exceed estimated repairs cost.

The optimal solution, all things considered, is purification and regeneration of used turbine oil. Various types of mobile plants connected directly to the turbine assembly from which contaminated oil is drawn, removal gas and water, filter out solid particles and generally fully restore the oil to its original specifications.

For instance, the CMM mobile oil plants degas, remove contaminants and sediment from turbine oil. Among the advantages of these units is their capability to process the oil in one pass, significantly extending oil service life.

Depending on the needs of the facility, CMM plants may be either mobile or stationary. For larger facilities, CMM plants come with extra features, from additional filters to additional regeneration sections.

The main issues for any business are the possible profit and loss. The cost of regenerating 1 ton (depending on the type of purified, regenerated and lightened product) varies between US$6.5 to US$35. At the same time, disposal of industrial waste is a costly affair. Oil purification plants pay for themselves in a rather short time of 5 – 6 months at current prices.

Reincarnation of the hydraulic oil lifecycle

Tierra Fuller, , ,

The lifecycle of hydraulic oil depends on several parameters which can extend or shorten the cycle. Some of these are viscosity, acidity and the amount of additives. Contaminating particles, free water, unfavorable operating conditions (temperature, loads and other conditions) all contribute to aging of oil.

Oxidation is further accelerated at temperatures exceeding 60C or in contact with some other materials. Presence of solid particles, especially larger than 2 micron, promote oxidation.

Contaminants are present in all hydraulic equipment. When the units are operated, friction causes additional solid particles and dust to enter the oil.

Therefore, to maintain high quality of oil and is operational parametes, it is important to protect its chemical composition, avoid overheating and protect the oil from water, minimize the amount of solid particles in the oil.

Oil filtration schedule is important to any industrial business. Filter efficiency depends on pore size. Large solid particles are retained by the filter as the oil passes through it, the smaller ones pass through the filter. Most modern filters successfully remove 1 – 5 micron particles.

Relative amount of solids increases as the size of the particles decreases. This means the oil will still be contaminated after filtration. The amount of contaminating particles will increase during operation and oxidation will be accelerated further.

Using the experience of many companies, it can be inferred that the dominating reason for malfunctions of hydraulic systems is related to contamination of the oil by solid particulate matter. Therefore it is extremely important to remove such contaminants.

As mentioned above, filtration alone is not enough. Microscopic particles pass through fine filters. Besides, water and air need other removal methods.

This is specifically what the UVR systems were designed for. Mobile or stationary design, direct connection to hydraulic systems for oil processing are just some of the features of this regeneration system.

Several filters, special pumps, heating and absorption allow removal of the smallest particles, as well as water and air from hydraulic oil. The sorbent media is can be reactivated shortly after running purification cycle is complete.

Oil purity regulations, savings on new resources and storage, unification of purification and filtration equipment are just some of the benefits of using the UVR type hydraulic oil purification system.