OIL ANALYSIS
THE LIFEBLOOD OF YOUR WIND TURBINES
MONITORING
As maximising operational productivity and cost-efficiency become ever more critical to the sustained growth and competitiveness of wind-generated energy, turbine operators are increasingly looking at new ways to realise efficiencies.
This has driven more operators to recognise the benefits of switching to using higher performance oils and greases within their turbines. Combining this with a regular and robust oil analysis programme can increase opportunities to extend oil drain intervals, protect against component wear and prevent downtime even further.
OIL ANALYSIS Oil analysis is one of the most valuable maintenance programmes that turbine operators can implement. As health professionals often utilise blood samples to help determine our body condition, gear oil or hydraulic oil analysis supported by expert interpretation and advice, can also be utilised to help determine the condition of the components the oil is in contact.
Concurrently, the analysis and interpretation can maximise the application of high quality lubricants and identify early warning signs of contamination to help take greater control over managing downtime and extending equipment life.
In order for wind farm operators and equipment engineers to improve productivity and potentially increase profitability through oil and equipment monitoring there are a number of elements to be considered.
START OFF WITH THE BASICS There is a certain protocol that should be followed to help ensure the accuracy of oil analysis results. First, maintenance professionals should always use a clean, dry container to draw oil samples. Any contamination that is in the container before the oil sample is collected could result in an inaccurate result. Most oil analysis companies will provide suitable and new bottles for the samples to be collected.
Ideally samples should be drawn when equipment is at its normal operating temperature, provided it is safe, and the oil system is being circulated. If however this is not feasible, the oil sample needs to be taken as soon as possible after the turbine is shut down (within 30 minutes).
MAINTENANCE RECORDS To identify the most appropriate sample point, it is imperative to consult with your oil analysis provider and machine manufacturer for application-specific advice. Once the location has been identified, it should be noted in the maintenance records so samples can always be taken from the same place. This will ensure that results from the analysis of sequential used oil samples can be compared and trended to provide accurate insight into equipment and lubricant condition.
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DEDICATED SAMPLE POINTS Oil samples should always be taken in the same manner and from the same sampling point. Dedicated sample points situated prior to the filter are best though other sample points may also be acceptable including using a ‘thief’ pump to take a sample from a sump or reservoir using a new tubing of similarly measured length”. Consistency is paramount.
Oil samples should always be taken before equipment is drained. If the oil has been drained, samples taken, and then deemed acceptable for continued use, there is no way the hydraulic oil or lubricant should be reused for applications such as hydraulics and gearboxes. Also, do not take an oil sample immediately after an oil change or after a large amount of make-up oil has been recently added.
SAMPLING FREQUENCIES Sampling frequencies are usually set by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) which are typically six monthly for wind turbine gearbox oils and annually for hydraulic oils. The more frequent oil samples are taken then the more likelihood there is of detecting any equipment or fluid issues but the practicalities of sampling clearly need to be considered.
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