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

Basement

Turn Your Basement into a Useful Space with These Tips

Who wouldn’t want a place where they can play to their heart’s content, focus on their work, or simply relax and unwind? You don’t have to look outside for these things. You can have them underneath your home, right in your basement. Turning your basement into a useful space is the next best thing when it’s not possible to expand your home outside. The foundations are already there, so all you need to do is to continue the work. Before you work on your basement, take note of these home-improvement tips to your project. Plan What You Want for Your Basement: To start, figure out what you want your basement to be. You can only begin securing a building permit, buying the materials, meeting a contractor, and taking the next steps once you already have a plan for your basement. The basement is located away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house, so it can be the perfect place to concentrate on your work or meditate and relax. The location also renders it natural soundproofing, making ideal to turn into a studio or a home theater. If you want to be more practical, you can also turn it into an extra bedroom for guests or for a new family member. You can even add in a bathroom for more convenience. With an upflush SaniBest Pro toilet, installing a toilet doesn’t require you to break ground for drainage. The up-flush system allows you to conveniently connect the toilet and other fixtures in the basement bathroom to your existing sewage system or septic tanks through the toilet’s external discharge tank and pipe. The basement has endless potentials—an entertainment room, an extra bedroom, an office or study, or a children’s playroom. You can turn it into anything you want. Create a Budget: Like with any other home improvement projects, renovating your basement can quickly drain your funds. You’ll be spending money every step of the way, from securing permits to finishing your basement. You need a budget plan so you don’t end up spending far more than you intended. Creating a spreadsheet for your expenditures can also help you keep track of how much funds you’ve already used up and how much is left. It will help manage your expectations and stick to your initial budget. Secure the Necessary Permits: Renovating or remodeling your basement will require a building permit. If you’re caught doing construction on your house without one, you will be made to pay a fine and ordered to take down all the work you’ve done. A building permit is necessary especially if you’re doing major changes to your house’s structure or mechanical systems. A contractor usually deals with this bit, but if you’re working the project independently, you should contact your local building department to apply for a permit. If you plan to apply for a loan to fund your project, a lending company will ask you to present a building permit before they approve anything. In addition, a permit is necessary in order to count the renovated basement in your home’s appraisal. Resolve the Moisture Problem: Moisture is one of your biggest problems when renovating or remodeling your basement. Because of its location, the place is naturally damp, and it doesn’t help that water from the house typically ends up below. Being exposed to a damp environment for prolonged periods can be detrimental to your health. Moisture usually causes the growth of mold, and mold can cause an otherwise-healthy person to develop upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing, as well as trigger the asthma of some people. Even without mold, dampness itself already presents a risk to a person’s health. Remove the sources of moisture in the basement before you start building your plan. Seal up cracks where water can come in, and waterproof the walls. Get rid of excessive humidity, and insulate the plumbing pipes. Finally, install a drainage system for a long-term solution to the problem. Conclusion: For some people, it’s not feasible to expand their living space outside due to lot and legal restrictions. Renovating the basement is their only opportunity to build another room in the house. But even if you don’t have that same restriction, working on your basement can still be a good investment for your property. For one, a renovated basement is usually not counted as one full room so that it won’t be counted in your tax, but it can still raise the value of your home in case you sell it. Instead of leaving your basement alone, you can turn it into a useful space and reap the benefits later. However, you need to commit to the project since it does need considerable work and resources to do. Read Also: Five Ways To Improve The Air Quality Inside Your Home Outstanding Design Advice If Your Home Is Really Small

READ MOREDetails
Reception Desk

How To Have The Right Reception Desk For Your Company

Your company's reception counter is one of the first things that your customers will see when they walk in the door. Here are some ways that we feel that you can ensure that it sends the right impression: 1. Build One Yourself: Building one yourself allows you to have total control over the appearance of the desk, and this can help to ensure that it looks as good as possible. If you choose to build the deck yourself, you'll need to make sure that you have the right materials. You can follow this guide to see a do it yourself desk being built. Here are some types of desks that we feel that you may be interested in building yourself: Laminate Materials: Some laminate materials have an appearance that is very similar to real wood. Wood: It's possible to make your own desk out of wood, but this option is best if you have some level of skill with woodworking and carpentry. Kits To Assemble: There are kits that allow you to build your own desk, and they come with instructions. This will ensure that the desk is put together properly. 2. Get A Custom Built Desk: Custom built desks can have all of the appeals that's associated with one that you build yourself. Here are some types of custom built desks that we feel could make a great impression: Custom Built Desks Made Out Of Wood Only: Desks that are made out of real wood are especially likely to impress your customers, and there are many different types of wood that you can choose from. If your business does any work with the environment, it's often best to choose real wood, and this will be likely to make your company more attractive to prospective customers. Marble Desks: Marble is known for its exquisite beauty, and desks that are made out of this material can be exceptionally impressive. However, their price tag can be quite high, but this is often a good pick for high-end businesses. Granite Desks: Granite is another well-known material that is used to make desks and countertops. While it also has a striking appearance, it is somewhat less expensive than marble. Metal Desks: If you choose a metal desk, it's often essential to have it painted. If it is not painted, you'll want to ensure that it is made of shiny stainless steel. Brick Desks: You may not have thought of brick as a material for your desk. However, brick can make excellent material for them, and it's used for one of Google's desks. 3. Get One Pre-Made: While these designs on these desks can be bit generic, some of them are quite impressive. Here are some examples of excellent pre-built desks that we feel that you might want to consider: The NBF Signature Series Esquire Desk: This desk wraps around, and it is quite large. It is made of laminate, and there are two color options to choose from. It's available for less than 1,800 dollars. The NBF Double Compass Reception Desk: This desk is somewhat similar to the Esquire Desk, but it is a bit thinner and smaller. The color is also slightly different, and it's available for around $1,400. The NBF Tower Reception Desk: This reception desk is designed to provide an impressive appearance for business owners. It's available for around $2,000. The Office Depot Reception Stations Single Marque: This desk is exceptionally affordable at less than $1,200, and it is made out of walnut. If you're interested in getting a pre-made welcome desk, consider buying one from us at this link! 4. Consider Buying A Used Desk: If you're put off by the high price tags of pre-made desks, you can consider buying one used. Luckily, it's possible to buy a used desk on eBay, Amazon, and other e-commerce websites. These are some common types of desks that we feel you might want to consider buying used: Wooden Desks: If you get a used wooden desk, it's essential to make sure that you choose a product that is relatively free of scratches and dings. However, you'll also need to make sure that it doesn't have a different company's name carved into it. Metal Desks: Metal deals tend to be quite durable as long as they are rust-resistant. Stone Desks: Desks that are made out of stone tend to be exceptionally durable, and the most important things to look for when you're buying a used one is that it doesn't have any dings. However, it's also important to make sure that the stone desk doesn't have anything carved into it. You may want to consider buying a used desk locally, and that's because you could save a lot of money. Having a used desk shipped can be a significant expense. Read Also: The New Trend: Drawer Boxes Necessary Spaces To Include In Building Your Office What You Must Know About Wood Flooring?

READ MOREDetails
Condo

Ideas to Give Luxury Feel to Your Condo

With some simple ideas, you can make your condo a luxurious location. Small changes may make significant impacts, such as a coffee table between the furniture can increase the comfort of your place. The lighting fixture in the middle of your room will give a WOW factor to your décor. Carefully select the material for your condo rooms because this material will speak the value and comfort level of your condo. If you want a traditional look, you can use jute material and wooden chairs. You can make several changes in your house at crescent nob hill. Dark Paint in Your Bedroom: To make your condo a relaxing place for your guests, don’t forget to play with colors. Your condo room design is incomplete without paint, and you can consider dark colors to decorate your room. The combination of dark and light colors in your bedroom will help your guests to enjoy a comfortable sleep in any part of the day. You can place a sofa in your room to create a spacious sitting area and use a dark color on walls and light color on the ceiling to enhance the comfort level of your guests. Green Features in the Room Design: Sustainability is an essential issue for all condo owners, and they always try to extend the stay of guests to their condo. Some innovative ideas can help you to make your rooms charming. You can use natural light, such as an over-sized window to throw natural light in the room directly. Use green colors for the roofs and walls and recycle bins for your guests. Locally grown plants and electronic water faucets are good ideas for your luxury condos nob hill sf. Local Art is Important for the Decoration of the Room: It is not good to decorate your condo rooms with modern amenities and forget about local arts. The local arts will help you to display the beauty of your culture to your guests. You can use paintings in your design scheme to improve the perception of your guests and create authentic experiences. Feel free to use anything from small sculptures to large-scale photography installations. Integration of local art will enhance the image of your condo, and it can be the key to success. The above image is taken from an apartment located in Tokyo, and it is a fantastic blend of their art and culture. Condo Rooms are Incomplete without Technology: The current era is also known as a technology era, and your condo room design is incomplete without modern technology. Your guests will bring their smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices. They will surely want constant Wi-Fi access, USB ports, and plugs to recharge their devices. You should give technology-friendly rooms to your guests to encourage their extended stay and long-term relations. Some condos offer facilities to adjust the air conditioning, window blinds, and lighting through smartphones. It will be the right approach for your business. Voice activation technology is a new trend in the current era. Read Also: 4 Tips For Finishing A Basement 7 Reasons To Buy A Condo Over A House 6 Upgrades To Make Your Bedroom Seem Like A Luxury Hotel Seven Simple Ways For Achieving Cozy Bedroom Environment: For Perfectly Night Sleep

READ MOREDetails