Energy
CASE KERAVAN LÄMPÖVOIMA - AGEING PRODUCTS REMOVAL
OBJECTIVES: OIL AGEING PRODUCTS REMOVAL FROM TURBINE LUBRICATING OIL WITHOUT ANY DOWNTIME
SOLUTION: RESTORATION OF OIL PERFORMANCE TO MATCH THE STANDARDS OF NEW OIL BY FLUID INTELLIGENCE
STARTING POINT
In the summer of 2018, Keravan Lämpövoima Oy's plant was found to have an ageing oil in turbine lubrication, which was recognized as increased resin and varnish in oil.
At the same time, the concentration of the phenolic antioxidant in the oil was also reduced to a level which no longer protected the oil from oxidation at normal operating temperature.
The turbine lubricating oil had been in use for just under 10 years and the oil changeover (tank cleaning and system flushing) was not wanted. The oil was decided to be repaired during the use.
Anti-ageing agents can be increased by adding a new antioxidant-treated oil to the system during oil additions.
SOLUTION
The Fluitec VITA ESP II equipment offered by Fluid Intelligence was selected for resin and varnish removal. The method is based on the chemical bonding of ageing products in the oil.
The system was installed on the system side stream for about a month in autumn 2018. Since the system had suitable connectors, VITA ESP II could be installed and deployed without any downtime. The total amount of oil to be treated was 4,000 liters, so the project was expected to be relatively fast.
Within a month of use, the level of ageing products declined significantly. Figure 1 is a filter film made with a gravimetric method of 0.45 microns, from which the microscopic examination revealed the types and amounts of contaminants. After about one month of cleaning, varnish and resin concentrations were significantly reduced (Figure 2).
After removal of resins and varnish, oil can be added to a new antioxidant-rich oil to restore oil performance to the level of new oil.
Picture 1. Starting level 0,45 micron membrane patch at 6th of November
Picture 1. Starting level 0,45 micron membrane patch at 6th of November
Picture 2. Result at 11th of December 0,45 membrane patch
RESULTS
Maintenance Engineer Markus Lehti from Kerava Energy commented: "Oil maintenance is a reliable method of securing stable uninterrupted operation, as the accumulation of oil contaminants in the system may escalate into highly costly production problems."
Fluitec VITA ESP II is a very effective oil purification solution for oil ageing products. It is based on the chemical bonding of ageing products in oil and works very effectively in practice.
VITA ESP is suitable for all mineral oils as well as for most synthetic oils. Fluid Intelligence Oy represents Fluitec solutions in Finland. VITA ESP is available from Fluid Intelligence for quick delivery for lease or permanent use in Finland.