Vacuum Distillation Turbine Lube Oil Purification System in Steam Power Generation Plants

Abstract

Steam power generation plants are equipped with turbine lubrication systems. Turbine lubrication systems are to lubricate tribological components to reduce friction and wear between rotating parts. Turbine lube oils are used as lubricants used to wet journal and thrust bearings of turbines and generators during in service. Quality of turbines lube oils are defined by chemical and physical properties, additives concentrations and contaminations level. Chemical and physical properties of turbine lube oils are to serve their function and performance. Contamination in turbine lube oils are particle or solid contaminants, moisture, and varnish. Varnish is oxidation products that are produced long run turbine operation. Oil cleanliness or particle contaminants distribution and moisture content in turbine lube oils are monitored before starting and during power plant operation. Oil cleanliness and moisture content are measured by International Standard Organization-ISO 4406 and % saturation. Particle contaminants and moisture content are increased during power plant operation. As a preventive maintenance strategy and power generation plant reliability, Particle contaminants and moisture levels are maintained low. Particle contaminants could be removed by filter units and the moisture could be removed from turbine lube oil by a vacuum distillation method. Vacuum distillation method is to separate moisture from turbine oil based on the differences in their boiling point performed under pressure. This paper is to study turbine lube oil purification system which it integrates oil filter integrated with Vacuum distillation.