Although turbine oil could last for more than a decade, it can start degrading long before that. Given this and because oil is the lifeblood of turbines, regular testing is important.
While monthly oil analysis delivers a basic view of the oil’s condition, there are additional tests that should be performed annually to monitor key performance characteristics of the oil and help prevent unexpected downtime. Critical indicators commonly uncovered in an analysis include a failing foam test, a failing demulsibility test, low RPVOT and high varnish potential.
The recommended monthly test slate might include:
- Acid Number: This is useful in monitoring acid buildup in oils due to depletion of antioxidants.
- Spectroscopic Analysis: This test measures the levels of specific chemical elements present in an oil.
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): This compares infrared spectra of used oil to a baseline spectrum.
- Viscosity: This test measures the oil’s resistance to flow and changes may indicate contamination or degradation.
- Particle Count: Higher levels of particulates in the sample may indicate excessive particle ingression or filtration issues.
- Karl Fischer Water: Elevated levels of water contamination may indicate poor contamination control.
In addition to these monthly tests, an Annual Turbine Analysis includes the following tests:
- Color: Sudden changes in color may indicate a problem.
- Demulsibility: This measures an oil’s ability to separate from water.
- Foam: This test evaluates the sample ability to separate from air.
- Membrane Patch Colorimetry: This measures the color bodies of insoluble contaminants in lubricants.
- Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test (RPVOT): This test measures the oil’s resistance to oxidation.
- Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine (RULER): This measures hindered phenolic and aromatic amine antioxidant content.
- Rust: This measures the ability of industrial oil to prevent rusting under conditions of water contamination.
The resulting annual turbine analysis report is a complete rundown of each of the tests performed, along with a detailed explanation of each test result. The report will also contain a summary of findings, as well as recommended actions specified by Eurofins TestOil analysts.
Ultimately, no turbine can perform optimally with degraded oil. With regular testing, that’s one issue plant managers can take off their plate.
To get started with oil analysis and training visit https://testoil.com/company/contact-us/; call 216-251-2510; or email sales@testoil.com.
About Eurofins TestOil
With more than 30 years of experience in the oil analysis industry, Eurofins TestOil focuses exclusively on assisting industrial facilities with reducing maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected downtime through oil and fuel analysis program implementation. As industry experts in diagnosing oil-related issues in equipment such as turbines, hydraulics, gearboxes, pumps, compressors and diesel generators, Eurofins TestOil provides customers with same-day turnaround on routine oil analysis testing. For more information on partnering with Eurofins TestOil on oil analysis programs or training opportunities visit https://testoil.com. Contact: Al Yates 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com.
About Eurofins – the global leader in bio-analysis
Eurofins is Testing for Life. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience Contract Research services. Eurofins is also a market leader in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.
With over 61,000 staff across a network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods. Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.
