Measurement and Testing Table 1: Air release characteristics using ASTM D3427[8]. Fluid PAG Based Fluid Neat
PAG Based Fluid + 2000 ppm of water PAG Based Fluid + 4000 ppm of water
Temp °C
50 50 50
Mins to 0.2% air volume
0.4 0.7 1.0
The air release times were much lower than typical petroleum-based and hydrocarbon-based turbine fl uids, with the neat PAG-based fl uid taking only 0.4 minutes to reach 0.2% entrained air volume, and the PAG-based fl uid with 4000 ppm water taking 1 minute [9].
Conclusion Figure 4. Apparatus diagram of the determination of release time [6]
these entrained air bubbles, preventing the adverse effects associated with air contamination. While lubricants are made with viscosity, oxidation resistance, and other properties in mind, air entrainment and release characteristics are not always prioritized leading to a degradation of the intended properties [2]. However, as industries move towards more compact and high-reliability equipment, fl uid aeration becomes increasingly important [3].
Lubricants with poor air release values struggle to remove entrained air bubbles, leading to reduced bulk modulus, cavitation, and poor component response [6]. Good air release properties ensure quick air separation within available reservoir residence time, preventing issues like pressure loss, incomplete oil fi lms, and hydraulic system failures. Companies conduct air release tests to evaluate products, compare formulations, optimize air separation, ensure compliance with industry standards, and mitigate potential air contamination issues that could lead to costly equipment failures. Ensuring compliance with industry standards like ASTM D3427 [6] can help identify potential air contamination issues, reducing the risk of costly equipment failures.
Experimental Results
One study conducted by Gullapalli et al. investigated the effects of hydraulic fl uid composition on aeration, pump effi ciency, and noise generation in an axial piston pump. The researchers examined fi ve hydraulic fl uids: fl uid A (Group I mineral oil), fl uid B (Group IV polyalphaolefi n (PAO)-based synthetic), fl uid C (Group III Gas-to-Liquid (GTL)-based synthetic), fl uid D (Group II mineral oil), and fl uid E (experimental Group II GTL-based synthetic hydraulic formulation) [7]. The air release properties were evaluated using ASTM D3427. Fluids B and C exhibited fast air release times, as both formulations used synthetic base stocks containing over 99.9% saturated hydrocarbons. Another study was conducted by Govind Khemchandani from The Dow Chemical Company. It investigated the use of a new polyalkylene glycol (PAG)-based synthetic turbine fl uid as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based turbine oils in heavy-duty gas turbines. The research examined the non-varnishing and tribological characteristics of the PAG-based fl uid compared to petroleum-based oils, including tests of oxidation stability, wear performance, and air release properties, as well as fi eld trials in four GE 7FA gas turbines. The fi nding of this study is depicted in Table 1.
About the Authors
Dr. Raj Shah is a Director at Koehler Instrument Company in New York, where he has worked for the last 30 years. He is an elected Fellow by his peers at IChemE, AOCS, CMI, STLE, AIC, NLGI, INSTMC, Institute of Physics, The Energy Institute and The Royal Society of Chemistry. An ASTM Eagle award recipient, Dr. Shah recently coedited the bestseller, “Fuels and Lubricants handbook”, details of which are available at “ASTM’s Long Awaited Fuels and Lubricants Handbook 2nd Edition Now Available”,
https://bit.ly/3u2e6GY
He earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is a Fellow from The Chartered Management Institute, London. Dr. Shah is also a Chartered Scientist with the Science Council, a Chartered Petroleum Engineer with the Energy Institute and a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering council, UK. Dr. Shah was recently granted the honourifi c of “Eminent engineer” with Tau beta Pi, the largest engineering society in the USA. He is on the Advisory board of directors at Farmingdale university (Mechanical Technology), The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA ( School of Engineering Design and innovation ), Auburn Univ (Tribology), SUNY Farmingdale, (Engineering Management) and State university of NY, Stony Brook ( Chemical engineering/ Material Science and engineering). An Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, in the Department of Material Science and Chemical engineering, Raj also has over 650 publications and has been active in the energy industry for over 3 decades.
More information on Raj can be found at
https://bit.ly/3QvfaLX Contact:
rshah@koehlerinstrument.com
Author Contact Details Dr. Raj Shah, Koehler Instrument Company • Holtsvile, NY11742 USA • Email:
rshah@koehlerinstrument.com • Web:
www.koehlerinstrument.com
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Manufacturing these shelters requires materials with inherent fi re resistance, erosion resistance, and the ability to withstand hydrocarbons and chemicals. These materials must endure harsh environmental conditions, including high humidity, frost, solar radiation, external noise, hydrocarbon accumulation, and seismic vibrations, balancing structural integrity and penetration prevention. Proper material selection is crucial to mitigate static discharge and corrosion, and implementing earth bonding measures is essential. The structure should be rigid to minimise vibration.
Analyser shelters safeguard systems, ensuring their effi cient and safe operation. Adhering to IEC61285 guidelines allows industries to construct durable shelters that meet rigorous safety standards, withstand environmental challenges, and facilitate straightforward maintenance. Axis Solutions offers comprehensive integrated analyser systems and related services, from initial engineering to fi eld deployment. Their shelters are robust in construction using interlocking sheets which ensures both strength and durability. Their team oversees projects from inception to completion, incorporating the latest advancements in standards and structural calculations. Their specialised analyser shelters include ATEX certifi ed HVAC units, power distribution, lighting, detectors, indicators, and necessary piping and wiring, all adhering to IEC standards for hazardous applications
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Air contamination in oil is a growing concern as industries pursue lightweight, high-reliability equipment. Excessive air in oil can cause costly adverse effects, necessitating quick air separation for optimal performance. Air release testing is crucial for evaluating lubricants’ ability to separate entrained air bubbles, impacting machinery longevity and effi ciency. Advanced testing techniques and equipment, such as Koehler’s Automated Air Release Value Analyzer, enable companies to optimize products, meet standards, and prevent costly air contamination issues in real-world applications.
References:
1. Suzuki, R. “Removing Entrained Air in Hydraulic Fluids and Lubrication Oils.” Machinery Lubrication, Noria Corporation, 16 June 2019,
www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/373/ entrained-air-oil-hydraulic.
2. McGuire, Nancy. “Tiny Bubbles.” TRIBOLOGY & LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGY , Feb. 2015, www.
stle.com.
3. Scheetz , Dave. “Entrained Air Tip of the Week.” LardOil Company. 4. Administrator, and Estaff. “Clearing the Air.” Lubes’N’Greases, 17 Aug. 2020, www.
lubesngreases.com/magazine-emea/clearing-the-air/.
5. “Lubricant Failure Mechanisms.” Jet,
www.jetlube.com/blog/lubricant-failure-mechanisms#. 6. ASTM D3427-19, Standard Test Method for Air Release Properties of Hydrocarbon Based Oils, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2019,
www.astm.org
7. Gullapalli, Sravani, and Paul Michael. “An Investigation of the Effects of Fluid Composition on Aeration, Effi ciency, and Sound Generation in an Axial Piston Pump.” 11th International Fluid Power Conference , Aachen , Germany , 11. IFK , 2018-03-19 - 2018-03-21, doi:10.18154/RWTH- 2018-224538.
8. Khemchandani, Govind. “Non-Varnishing and Tribological Characteristics of Polyalkylene Glycol-Based Synthetic Turbine Fluid.” Lubrication Science, vol. 24, no. 1, 2011, pp. 11–21., doi:10.1002/ls.165.
9. Przyborowski, et al. (2021). Effects of air contamination on machinery and lubricants: What does an automated air release value analyzer measure and why is it important? Petrochemical Chemical & Energy
10. Products. Koehler Instrument Company, Inc. (2023, August 4).
https://koehlerinstrument.com/ products/automated-air-release-value-analyzer/
11. Koehler Instrument. (2021). K8853X - Automated Air Release Value Analyzer (Operational Video) [English] [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trH6rHT0vUw 12. Koehler Instruments. (n.d.). 88530 Manual of Automated Air Release Value Analyzer.
Ms. Udithi Kothapalli is part of a thriving internship program at Koehler Instrument company in Holtsville, and is a fi nal year student of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon
University, PA. Udithi Kothapalli
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