PRACTICAL CONTAMINANT ANALYSIS OF LUBRICATING OIL IN A STEAM TURBINE-GENERATOR

In order to identify the level of contamination of lubricating oil in a turbine-generator at a local power plant, contaminant analysis was c onducted. The contaminant analysis was also used to assess the conditi on of tribe-components such as bearings, gears and bearing deflectors. Oil samples were taken and the debris in the used lubricating oil wer e analysed off-line to provide information for the construction of an on-line monitoring system. Statistical analysis of debris was also car ried out to determine the quantitative trend of oil contamination. The on-line contaminant monitoring system was then developed with the cap abilities to provide an early warning of excessive oil contamination a nd to detect any impending failures of tribe-components. Guidelines ne cessary for maintenance engineers such as preset warning level and a t rip level (automatic shutdown) of contamination were established. In t he system, a device utilizing a filter blockage principle was employed to measure the contamination level. The on-line system developed was installed and field tested in a turbine-generator at a local power pla nt. During the two year period of investigation, the lubricating syste m and related tribo-components were revealed to be in normal condition .