Power Generation

Turbine and heavy rotational equipment systems in power plants can use both bearing oil and hydraulic/control oil applications. The bearing oil lubricates and cools bearing surfaces, imparting both mechanical and thermal stress on the oil. The control oil function is less severe thermally, but can impart greater mechanical stress even though the control flow rate is much less than the bearing flow rate.

Issues of oil degradation from these processes shows up in time as a brown, sticky coating on oil-wetted surfaces (often referred to as varnish). And, due to the cooler temperatures and infrequent flows within the control oil piping, this sticky film will first cause problems in the control oil section.

In some instances (such as certain gas or combustion turbine equipment) the bearing oil and control oil applications may be supplied by a common oil reservoir, which increases the stress imparted on the oil.

Mechanical Filters Aren't Enough

Generally hydraulic oil systems include mechanical filters that use fine synthetic filter media to remove fine sediment, but these filters are not so effective in keeping the machine in good working condition. That's because a majority of the contaminants are submicron in size, or too small to remove with conventional filters alone. Kleentek electrostatic oil conditioners are able to capture these submicron insoluble particles and remove them from the oil.

Signs of contaminated hydraulic fluid:

• Brown, sticky varnish build up appearing first in control oil section
• Control valve sticking or failures
• Scored or damaged bearing surfaces
• Shortened life for the skid's fine mechanical filters

Companies using Kleentek electrostatic oil conditioners for Power Generation:

Calpine / Duke Energy / Dynegy / Florida Power & Light / Mitsubishi / Southern Company