OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE


expanded when Certas also offered to provide all the necessary equipment and manpower for the removal of old oil, tank cleaning, and the installation of new oil.


PREPARATION AND PLANNING The project required meticulous planning owing to the time-sensitive nature of the work and the potential risks involved, particularly given that the oil tanks qualified as confined spaces. Certas arranged all aspects of the project, from waste oil tankers to safety preparations, including Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) documentation. Certas coordinated the delivery


schedule with Castrol to ensure timely arrival of the new oil from Belgium, while the customer arranged for a rescue team to assist with confined space work. The project plan was divided into


several stages: 1. Waste oil removal: Certas


partnered with Utility Oils, a registered waste carrier, to handle the removal and disposal of the used oil in compliance with UK environmental regulations. 2. Tank cleaning: The Certas team


entered the empty tanks to remove any residual oil and debris. 3. New oil installation: Castrol


delivered the new oil, which was pumped into the freshly cleaned tanks. Certas utilised filtration units to ensure a contaminant-free installation.


EXECUTION Day 1: Waste oil removal and tank cleaning On the first day, a waste oil tanker from Utility Oils arrived on-site to remove the used oil from the first 21KL lube oil tank. The used oil was drained via the bottom drain point, and the top entry cover of the tank was removed to allow proper ventilation. Once the tank was emptied,


a certified rescue team was on standby while a Certas technician entered the confined space to manually clean the tank. This step involved removing residue and debris left inside the tank, a process crucial to ensuring the quality of the new lubricant once installed.


Certas coordinated the delivery schedule with Castrol to ensure the oil’s timely delivery


Day 2: Repeating the process on the second tank The same procedure was followed on the second day for the second synchronous compensator’s 21KL tank. The used oil was drained, and the tank was cleaned in preparation for the new lubricant.


Day 3: Delivery and installation of new oil On the third day, two oil tankers delivered the new Castrol Perfecto X 46 directly from Belgium. Each tanker carried 21KL of oil, which was installed into the respective tanks. The oil was pumped in through the top entry orifice, while filtration units were used to prevent contamination. Once the tanks were filled, Certas conducted final inspections to ensure proper installation and system functionality.


CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS A key challenge was the coordination of various teams - Certas personnel, the waste management partner, the Castrol delivery team, and the customer’s on- site rescue team - all while adhering to the tight timeline dictated by the scheduled plant shutdown.


Additionally, confined space work


posed inherent risks, requiring thorough planning, safety measures, and immediate problem-solving to ensure the technicians’ safety during tank cleaning operations. Certas Lubricant Solutions


successfully managed these challenges through precise planning and collaboration.


CONCLUSION AND CUSTOMER FEEDBACK Customer feedback following the oil replacement and system testing was overwhelmingly positive, according to the company. One notable outcome of the project


was the cleanliness of the new turbine oil. Certas advised the customer to monitor for an initial increase in particulates during early oil sampling. This proactive communication helped manage expectations and ensure customer satisfaction. Through this project, Certas


Lubricant Solutions demonstrated that it was able to handle complex, large- scale lubricant supply and installation projects, which it argues reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner in the energy sector.


For more information visit: www.certaslubricantsolutions.com www.engineerlive.com 17


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