Energy industry
Case Vatajankoski Power - oil performance monitoring
In gas engines, oil performance monitoring can provide significant benefits over traditional sample-based oil performance monitoring
In cooperation with Vatajankoski Power, Fluid Intelligence carried out GE Jenbacher gas engine oil performance monitoring by comparing the traditional model with the Fluid Intelligence’s remote oil monitoring solution, Fluid Eye® Trend. We could verify that remote monitoring of the oil performance with Fluid Eye® Trend can significantly reduce oil sampling. In addition, there is a continuous knowledge of oil performance development and oil change intervals can be further elaborated by extending the life cycle of oil.
GE Jenbacher gas engines have no fixed change intervals, but oil performance limits have been set to determine whether the oil is fair or interchangeable. For bio- and wastegas maximum oil sampling interval is 250 operating hours and for natural gas 500 operating hours.
The values to be tracked are viscosity at different temperatures, total acid number, total number of strands, nitrite and oxidation values based on IR analysis, soot content, and additive and wear metals. The manufacturer has also set maximum limits for each measured quantity. The values monitored in the Finnish operating environment are quite comprehensive and accurately describe the development of oil performance.
Fluid Eye® Trend was introduced in connection with oil change and at the same time continued the traditional performance analysis of oil samples. Fluid Eye® Trend closely monitors the change measured from oil sample analyzes. In addition, oil temperature information can be utilized to identify the root causes of potential problems.
The steady deterioration in oil performance was clearly seen in both samples and remote reading
The characteristics of engine oil include the addition of alkaline additives to the oil to control the formation of oil oxidation products. The wear and tear of these basic products is normal, and when they run out, the formation of oil oxidation products accelerates significantly. The wear of the additives in the oil is generally quite moderate, in this case the wear of the boron known as an anti-wear agent was noticeable.
REMOTE MONITORING OF OIL PERFORMANCE CAN REDUCE UNNECESSARY WORK AND FOCUS ATTENTION ON CRITICAL CHANGES
The remotely located gas engine being monitored is challenging in terms of maintenance, where oil sampling, packing and shipping of samples is a cost factor with its trips and work. Based on the oil samples, the information is also well deferred, so that it is not possible to intervene in time for rapidly evolving challenges before they escalate into serious threats to the reliability of use. The Fluid Eye® Trend solution provides a tool to monitor the performance of oil performance in real-time and accurately predict the next oil change required.
The oil change interval can be significantly extended by interfering with proven oil performance factors. Although the cost of purchasing new oil as such is not significant, as measured by the value of the new oil, the 50% increase in the replacement rate will bring back the costs of monitoring. In addition, the benefits of increased operational reliability are significant.
CUSTOMER BENEFITS:
No need for monthly oil samples
Increased oil change interval without risk
Enables more accurate service anticipation and planning
Better view of hardware usage and performance
The amount of waste oil generated will decrease significantly