Engine & Turbine Technology
Fig. 1. Mini-Traction-Machine. This is a ball on a rotating disk that can be used to compare the friction properties of different fully-formulated turbine oils under various test conditions. fully-formulated turbine oils.
Turbine lubricants: meeting the latest challenges
The latest methodologies in tribology – the science of lubricants – is now helping to develop new technology that can deliver trouble-free service and improved efficiency levels for turbine lubrication. Ronald Bakker reports.
Las más recientes metodologías desarrolladas en el ámbito de la tribología (la ciencia de los lubricantes) contribuyen al desarrollo de una nueva tecnología capaz de aumentar la eficiencia y vida útil de los lubricantes de turbinas. Informa Ronald Bakker.
Die neueste Tribologiemethodologie - die Wissenschaft der Schmierstoffe - hilft nun bei der Entwicklung neuer Technologien, die einen problemlosen Betrieb und verbesserte Wirkungsgrade für die Turbinenschmierung liefert. Ronald Bakker Reports.
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nergy prices, emissions legislation and the drive for economic recovery means that power generation operations are under more pressure than ever to improve performance,
minimise downtime and reduce operating costs. Power generation in all its forms requires outstanding lubrication of the turbines and associated equipment to ensure long, trouble- free operational lifetimes, putting stringent demands on the performance of the lubricants. Tere are, of course, already a number of high performance lubricants on the market today, many of which use the latest technology to help increase performance and efficiency. Back in the laboratory, however, new scientific methodologies in tribology are being developed. Tese are being used to identify new opportunities to further improve performance, elevate efficiency levels and address specific wear or deposit issues, even for those turbines operating under the most severe conditions. It is these new methodologies that are driving the next generation of lubricants. Today’s economic climate provides the
backdrop for much of this development work; with energy prices at historically high levels and environmental considerations increasingly important, lubricants are a component in the overall value chain and can have an important and positive impact on efficiency, emissions and productivity.
Te latest scientific techniques employ
wear modelling and simulation tests, ‘smart’ laboratory screening and extensive performance prediction models – all of this is designed to simulate the performance of lubricants in the real world. Trough testing, tribologists can build a more detailed understanding of the physical characteristics and demands placed on modern-day turbine oils, in turn shaping product development pathways. Here, I outline two examples of these techniques in action.
Efficiency and friction Lubrication efficiency is largely dependent on the ability of the system and lubricant to form and maintain an oil film of adequate thickness – this can be affected by a number of factors including
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