Historically, users of oil analysis have relied almost exclusively on commercial oil analysis laboratories or oil suppliers to identify when a machine is in alarm. Realizing the limitations of this approach, world-class organizations are taking charge of their own alarm settings to ensure that their specific objectives are met. The advent of sophisticated oil analysis software has put this objective within reach of most anyone who desires it.
City Utilities (CU) is a municipally owned utility serving Springfield, Missouri. CU owns and operates two coal-fired generation units as well as a number of gas turbines and a landfill gas-to-energy project. In 2015, a lubrication management survey revealed many areas for improvement throughout the power generation facilities, including lubricant chemistry, cleanliness, testing, and lubricant storage and handling.
This quick test for ferromagnetic particles can be done in the field or in an onsite laboratory. Many commercial oil analysis laboratories use this same method. It is simple in the sense that it doesn’t take expensive or complex instruments. Although it is not quantitative, it is still very effective.
Of all the different types of gear configurations, worm gear systems are considered some of the most problematic because they present unique lubrication challenges due to their distinct design. To overcome these challenges, you must understand not only the complexities of worm gears but also which qualities to take into account when choosing a worm gear lubricant.
“After a number of return-line bearing samples were taken from our steam turbine, we were puzzled and concerned by some of the oil analysis results.
Our main concern was the large number of samples that showed elevated particle counts. It’s been recommended that maintenance personnel check the seals, breathers, etc. However, this leads us straight to the silicon count, which is, for the most part, zero. Therefore, the increase cannot be attributed to the ingress of normal dust or dirt. Neither does there seem to be any increase in any telltale wear metals or contaminants in the elemental analysis.
