Lubricating Gas Turbines is Key to Performance

Published on: 13 September 2018 Last Updated on: 25 March 2020
Gas Turbines

Modern gas turbines are made to put out more power and operate with better efficiency than previous generations. Many major manufacturers of turbines, like GE and Siemens, have reached an efficiency of around 65%. Making sure gas turbines are running at that high level of efficiency is not an easy task, and it takes a lot of maintenance. Taking a top tier approach is necessary for this process, especially since equipment operates at a much higher temperature than before and but far more stress on the turbine, which will ultimately lead to performance issues.

One of the biggest factors in the long-term performance of gas turbines is the lubrication it receives. Without proper lubrication, the bearing life will be greatly reduced, there will be a lot of downtimes for repairs, and the life of the unit can be greatly reduced. All recommended lubrication schedules should be followed, as well as regular inspection and maintenance. As companies like SPI Borescopes, makers of articulating borescopes, have pointed out in the past — there are many avoidable issues when proper inspection and lubrication takes place on a gas turbines.

Promoting Lubrication:

Here are the steps you need to follow to make sure a gas turbine gets the proper lubrication:

Keeping the oil clean:

the oil clean

Clean turbine oil is essential for maintaining the equipment and the life of the lubricant. Contamination from particulates is extremely destructive and will seriously shorten the lifespan of bearings, gears, and cause system foaming that will impact the servo-valve operation. Sources of contamination come from several places and can build up even if the oil is clean. This is another key reason operators should regularly inspect the filtration system to identify any issues.

Make sure the oil stays dry:

the oil stays dry

Water is extremely destructive to the oil’s ability to properly lubricate the components. Damaging contamination from the water will reduce the life of the turbine bearings and can cause sub-surface micro-cracking. This is something that happens over time where free radicals break off from water molecules as they pass through rollers and raceways — this leads to pitting and breaking. Centrifugal purification is the most common method of water removal, but operators sometimes use vacuum dehydration or coalescing filters, if the water concentration is low.

Maintain proper ventilation:

Maintain proper ventilation

Obviously, oil and water don’t mix, so proper ventilation of the lubricating system will prevent condensation and help to dry water to minimize the harmful effects.

Prevent leakage when possible:

Leaking oil is wasteful and will slow productivity while the gas turbines are down for maintenance to constantly fill it back up with oil. In addition, leakage is a huge source of contamination at the seals, supply lines, cooler tube joints, and the valve connections. Too much oil pressure can lead to leaks, as well as worn seals.

Keep an eye on performance:

The quickest way to identify a problem is by ‘listening’ to what the machine is trying to tell you. Most of the time, poor lubrication that causes damages is not a problem that happens overnight. Even the slightest drop in performance should be identified as being problematic, and should not be ignored. If you not even the slightest drop in performance, you can have the company a lot of downtime and costly repairs.

Put together proper logs:

You need to log the temperatures of things like oil and water coolers and oil at different parts of the systems. A rise in temperature of oil and oil system components could indicate excessive frictions, signaling to low oil pressure, contaminates, or low oil levels. Alternatively, keeping operating records is also a vital part of identifying changes that signal to issues. Operators should note turbine and purification running times, the condition of the oil when the oil was serviced when the filter was changed, and anytime there was a replacement, repair, or rebuilding of any and all parts.

Lubrication Maintenance is a Small but Mighty Task:

Maintaining a proper lubrication system and taking action at the first sign of trouble might not seem as impactful as it is, but it’s a key business driver to companies that rely on gas turbines. This is a first-line opportunity to take preventative action and make sure your equipment is operating at world-class standards.

Read also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Kitchen

Top 4 Must-Have Appliances In Every Kitchen

The kitchen is without a doubt the most happening room in a house and is, therefore, an essential room as well. However, not every kitchen can be fully functional and efficient unless they have some crucial appliances. If you are in the process of setting up a kitchen in your home, then today we bring you a list of the top 4 must-have devices in every kitchen. Top 4 Must-Have Appliances in Every Kitchen: Cooktops A cooktop is an essential appliance in any kitchen. As there are lots of options available when it comes to cooktops and ovens, most of us get confused on which one to buy. The fuel used is one of the most important aspects to think about while choosing a cooktop. There are latest gas cooktops, radiant cooktops, and induction cooktops that are available in the market. Out of all the three, induction cooktops are the most energy efficient, however, you need to use only cookware with a high level of ferrous metal content to be able to transfer the heat to the cookware. Both induction and radiant cooktops offer a clean and modern look to the kitchen as they can be installed without any visible parts on the outside. Gas cooktops, on the other hand, are cheaper and quite easy to install, however, is harder to clean than induction and radiant cooktops. Ventilation Hoods Most of us think that the only purpose of a ventilation hood is to remove the heat and steam from the kitchen. Well, even though it is the primary objective of having a ventilation hood, it also helps in removing the grease and fat content in the kitchen air, thus helping to keep the appliances, cabinet, walls, and roof of the kitchen free of oil. The efficiency of a ventilation hood depends on how much air it can move through the hood per minute. It is measured regarding Cubic Feet per Minute or CFM. To put it in perspective, for a kitchen with a four-burner cooktop setup, a ventilation hood that has a rating of 400 CFM or above is recommended. You can either opt for a duct-free, recirculating or externally ducted ventilation system. As an externally ducted ventilation system pulls out the hot kitchen air all push it outside the house, it is the most efficient one. However, implementing an externally ducted ventilation system hugely depends on your home layout. Refrigerators A refrigerator is another vital appliance in every kitchen. Freestanding, Fully Integrated (Columns), and Inbuilt refrigerators are three of the most common types. Freestanding refrigerators are the ones that we see in most homes, which are a standalone appliance that offers high capacity and are easy to relocate. Inbuilt refrigerators usually come with a size that comfortably fits within countertop depths to provide a seamless look. Fully integrated refrigerators are wholly flushed into the design of the kitchen and can be hard to distinguish from the rest of the cabinetry in the kitchen. Check all reviews for the best refrigerators in Australia. Dishwashers Just like refrigerators, dishwashers can also be bought as a separate appliance or can be installed flush within the cabinet of your kitchen. While choosing a dishwasher, look out for the rack types that are featured within the dishwasher and also look out for the sound rating of the dishwasher. Dishwashers tend to produce quite some sound while working, so to avoid any annoyances, pick one with the least decibel rating. Also, if you will be using the dishwasher quite frequently, then you should also check out the energy star rating and pick the most efficient one to make sure that you do not incur a hefty electricity bill for using the dishwasher. Final Words: We hope that the above article on the appliances that every kitchen must have was informative. In case you would like to give some input for this article, feel free to leave a comment below. Read Also: 9 Feng Shui Tips For A Calmer Kitchen Installation Of Kitchen Cabinets: Best Way To Give Your Home A Perfect Facelift

READ MOREDetails
Tech Items You Can Display as Decor

How Can I Incorporate Gadgets Into My Interior Design?

There are many options that you can choose from if you are looking to decorate your room based on your preferences. You can choose more mundane products like posters, figurines, decals, and many more that are available on the market. With that said, you can now use gadgets for much the same thing thanks to the emphasis on gorgeous designs. Some electronic products are made with beauty and grace in mind. This is to complement your room's aesthetic, while upping the technology game. With gadgets becoming such a big part of everyday life, it’s only natural that they would evolve in function, as well. These days, you can count on smartphone makers to spend a lot of money on designing their products to perfect detail. There has been a huge emphasis on making smartphones and other electronics beautiful to look at, as well. This means that you can use gadgets to make any room seem more stylish without losing function. LED Frames The great thing about LED is that it has so many unexplored applications in terms of decorations for most people. In terms of decorations, you can use them to literally light up any photo or image you might have on display. This includes family pictures, paintings, sketches, and even printable. This will then help establish your personality in the things you display and what you want everyone else to notice. It’s also worth noting that these LED frames can come in any color and with any setting, like Christmas lights. They can blink, cycle, spell words, or form certain shapes that would add more substance to the item being framed. This would then go a long way toward catching even more attention and injecting some merriment into the room. These LED frames can be purchased from stores or ordered online as is, or you could have them customized, too. Stylish Screens Screens are often thought of as a means of watching videos, playing games, or working with various computer programs. This is not wrong, per se, but screens have also undergone quite an evolution over the years in terms of design. Many of them have become sleeker, more stylish, and, best of all, more eye-catching when displayed alongside other gadgets. This is the ultimate expression of the fusion of both function and fashion in a clear and tangible manner. Now, these screens can take on many forms, including computer monitors, flatscreen TVs, and commercial video display units. They can play different media files while they are not in use, such as screensavers, looping video files, and more. This is one of the most effective and most common ways that gadgets are used for decoration. Imagine a huge screen that spans a wall and features crackling flames and see if it doesn’t inspire you. Neon Lighting A lot of rooms have neon lighting and for good reason, since they are some of the most attention-grabbing implements. You will find them among commercial districts, blaring invitations to dine or take part in their services. In the case of decorations, you will appreciate the amount of interest that they can draw from others. The best part is that you can make them into literally anything you could imagine, from names to entire landscapes. If you are looking for some neat neon sign ideas to base your own decor on, there are plenty available. You can find them on the web via photo-sharing platforms and video streaming sites like YouTube or Instagram. Once you get inspiration for your own neon light decor, you can have them customized via specialized service providers. However, it would be best to make sure that you choose the right sizes relative to the space in your room. Fashionable Accessories And Gear Who would have thought that something as simple as a keyboard could be stylish, but they can be bought? You will find accessories and gear in the market that were made for the specific purpose of looking good. At the same time, they are also functional in that you can use them for their intended purpose. This goes for a mouse, speakers, controllers, cooling fans, and many more that you can find on the web. Then, there are the various other appliances, gear, and novelty items that you can order or even get customized. Fans, coolers, humidifiers, lamps, and so many others are available in stylish, ultramodern designs that will enhance your room’s sophisticated air. It would be advisable, however, to keep things minimalist as much as you can to maintain neatness. It’s important that you don’t put too much clutter in the room that can distract you from the main attractions. Thin, Minimalist Laptops And Tablets Laptops come in all shapes and sizes, with some models being as small as an iPad or as big as a suitcase. These are worth decorating your room with if you are aiming for a more modern style. Gadgets are now a part of everyday life, and tablets, laptops, computers, and smartphones are intrinsic to how society functions. If you are going to get them anyway, you might as well get the ones that add to your room’s elegance. Choosing this route would also complement a minimalist theme for your interior, where everything is simplistic and has neat tones. The idea is to make the room less cluttered and more organized but with a hint of grace and poise. More Digital Aesthetic To Add Let’s check out some more cool gadget options to spruce up your room! The sky is the limit, and gadgetry has gone to a whole new level in not just functionality but in style as well. Smart Mirrors Who knew mirrors could use some sprucing up? Smart mirrors are a great chance to infuse tech with class in your room. Visualize a classically posh mirror on your wall that can not only show how you look but give you details about the weather, time or even your plans for the day! Believe it or not, some of these get built with lights for those flawless selfies and make up routines. Literally form meeting function at its finest. Floating Speakers Yes, you read that right! Floating speakers are a fun and futuristic way to play your favorite music while adding a unique twist to your room decor. These speakers use magnetic levitation, making them hover in mid-air, and instantly drawing everyone’s attention. And they don’t just look good. Trust us when we say that these floating sound systems sound amazing too! Ambient Lighting Lighting that sets the vibe of the space you’re in is something that’s always been popular. LED lights have already proven their staying power, but ambient lighting with smart bulbs or light strips takes it to another level. You can change colors, brightness, and even patterns all from an app on your phone. Want a relaxing feel? Do it right from your bed. Want a party room? Go crazy! So much easier and better than changing out the colors of different colored light bulbs. Wireless Charging Wireless charging has been around for some time now, but not as easily accessible as it is today and not through matching technology centers with USB plugs built in without paying custom prices for everything. These stations are sleek gadgets that do double duty, adding style and convenience to your room. They come in all shapes and sizes, some even sleek pad or stands that fit right into your decor. Plus, you just put your phone or other device on it an bam! they start to charge. Another use for this if you work at a desk is they can serve as one of those really cool desk accessories and keep your area clean. Read Also: Your own space: decor ideas for your private place to relax How to Make your Home Look Beautiful in the Upcoming Holidays Here Are A few Of The Benefits Of The LED Strip Lights How To Increase The Value Of Your Home

READ MOREDetails
Cream Color

How You Can Update Your Home with Cream Color

While doing the interior décor, you desire for everything to be perfect. Therefore, you pay proper attention even to the tiniest details. Colors have a significant role in making the home look vibrant and pleasing. So, selecting appropriate colors is a bit of a daunting task. However, you often choose a cream color as a safer option. When you can not decide on anything, the cream is the best color that goes well with almost all designs and colors. Moreover, it helps create a classy look and never makes you down. It goes well with almost all themes, including countryside, rustic, vintage, etc. So, use this color to upgrade the interiors of your home. You will get desired results. What Feelings Cream Color Evoke? The cream color evokes a serene and clean feel that is inviting and warm. Cream color always looks good on a matte finish. So, expect it to have a soft feel. Nothing creates timeless appeal like the cream color for spaces like the dining area and living room. Tips to Update the Home using Cream Color Here are some clever tips for updating interiors with cream color: Cream Color Works Well in Even the Smallest Spaces The cream color looks great on the walls as it invokes an airy and light feeling full of warmth and depth. So, paint all walls, ceilings, and corners cream. Go for different variations of cream hue for a cozy layered feel with subtle lighting. Get Artsy If you feel the cream-colored walls are boring and make the interiors dull, liven up the space with something interesting. You can add wall décor items like posters, cream canvas prints, photos, etc. So, go for an oversized artwork or group of small art pieces showcasing your interests or precious memories. To add interest, add these pieces in stylish or vintage frames and keep color schemes well-coordinated to achieve desired results. Play with Pattern You might want to mix and match the colorful patterns but are afraid of clashing cacophony. If you have cream walls in the background, there are fewer chances of design dissonance. So, you can freely experiment with different patterns. For best results, unify all patterns to a single share element, such as shape, color, or theme. Try an Eye-Catching Mural If you do not want to cover all the walls with cream color, create a focal point by hanging a mural. It is easy to remove décor items, and you can apply them simply like wallpaper. Some murals feature outdoor photos of forests, beaches, tropics, or mountains. It will instantly bring magic to the home. So, look for one that best suits your personality and complements well with the interiors. Dress Up the Walls to Add Visual Interest Cream color walls offer a perfect backdrop to install open shelves. You can display accessories, artworks, or books on them. You can also use them as a storage solution. Cream walls prevent the interiors from feeling overwhelmed by décor elements. Instead, it highlights the items and creates a beautiful visual display. Introduce Natural Pops of Colour Add some wow factor to the cream color scheme by introducing floral patterns. From delicate fabrics to live foliage, a cream space can offer a perfect backdrop to boost pops of color coming with stunning flowers. In bright lighting, colors of nature reflect on cream walls and add depth to the shade. Incorporate Warm Shades with Furniture Pieces Select a cream wall color with warm undertones to enhance the bold accent color using furniture items and accessories. For instance, the rustic orange color of an armchair can lift the cream living room. The armchair stands out more with a cream color in the background. Place Colorful Throw Pillows If you have a cream-colored sofa in the room, highlight it using colorful throw pillows. It will instantly add color to the space and highlight the couch. You can also add throw pillows with floral patterns for more impact. How to Add Color to the Cream Interiors? Furniture items and accessories are the simplest way to incorporate color into cream interiors. The serene environment created by cream walls provides freedom to introduce a pattern and design without overwhelming the original plan. So, stop being shy and start experimenting using the safest color. Read Also: Ideas for Modern Flooring Designs for Home Improvement Plans Fix Your Home up This Summer With These Core Hacks Transform Your Garage into a Home Office 4 Baptism Decoration Ideas That Even the Holy Spirit Will Love

READ MOREDetails