The paper reviews the current situation on a number of problems arising in the lubrication systems of turbomachinery and gives examples from personal experiences. Aspects covered include: aeration and foaming of the oil, bearing corrosion, chemical stability, problems of contact between the oil and reactive gases such as ammonia, and system contamination. It is concluded that contamination is the most widespread and serious cause of problems, with local overheating being the next most important source of difficulties.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
WolfK.Die Schmierung von Dampfturbinen1951 (Springer, Berlin).
2.
TrifonovE. V.YampolskiS. F.‘Effects of oil pressure on the load carrying capacity of steam turbine thrust bearings’, Énergomashinostroenie1957 (i), 8–11. (English translation available from Shell International, MKB/43, London.).
3.
ClaxtonP. D.‘Aeration of petroleum based steam turbine oils’, Tribology19725 (No. 1), 8–13.
4.
LloydK. A.WilsonR. W.‘Formation of tin oxides on white metal bearings’, Proc. Instn mech. Engrs1968–69183 (Pt 3P), 74.
5.
BryceJ. M.RoehnerT. G.‘Corrosion of tin-base Babbitt bearings in marine steam turbines’, Trans. Inst. mar. Engrs196173 (No. 11), 377–411.
6.
Summers-SmithD.‘Chemical effects causing bearing and seal failure in large rotary machines’, A.S.M.E. Paper 70-Lub S-25.
7.
FowleT. I.HughesA.‘Experience with EP turbine oil’, Proc. Instn mech. Engrs1969–70184 (Pt 3O), 122.
8.
HuettnerF.HiebleL.‘Temperaturuntersuchungen an hochdruckseitigen Turbinenlargen’, Arch. Wärmew. DampfkWes.19411, 15–17.
9.
EvansE. M.HughesA.RushtonS. G.‘Shaft wear due to the formation of carbonaceous deposits in the oil-baffles of steam-turbine bearings’, Proc. Instn mech. Engrs1965–66180 (Pt 3K), 253.
10.
KawamuraH.‘Study on the prevention of carbon deposits in turbine oil at several hydraulic power stations’, 7th Wld Petrol. Congr.19674, 339 (Elsevier, Amsterdam).
11.
FuchsG. H.‘Evaluation and performance of turbine oils’, A.S.T.M. Special Technical Publication No. 211, 1956.
12.
WilsonA. C. M.‘Oxidation stability of steam turbine oils’, J. Inst. Petrol.196450 (No. 482), 47–57.
13.
SeemannW. P.HellbergH.‘Ueber das Altern von legierten Turbinenoelen im Laboratorium und in der Praxis’, Brennst.-Chem.196849 (No. 2), 44–47.
14.
Lubricating Oil, Steam Turbine (Non-Corrosive), U.S. Military Specification MIL-L-17331E.
