turboexpander lubricant problems

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Mohammad

CMRP,

MLA1

posted 31 March 2011 04:02 AM

We at our Gas plant are having issues with the turboexpander

lubricant (Turbo T 100) getting low viscosity and low flash point due

to gas contamination in the lubricated bearings. This has caused

several bearing failures in past years. I have come to know that this

is a common problem with many other operators for the lubricated

bearings of turboexpanders.

We are replacing the contaminated lubricant on frequent basis to

avoid failures.

Although new turboexpanders are manufactured using nonlubricated bearings, i.e. magnetic bearings, however we have to find

a solution for the old units.

Can others share their experience and ways to resolve this issue ?

Regards

Mohammad

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mohammad CMRP,

MLA1

, 31 March 2011 04:18 AM

Posts: 150| Location: Muscat, Oman| Registered: 07 May2005

turb1 posted 02 April 2011 11:10 AM Hide Post

What is the MW of the seal gas? Is it possible to find a leaner source

of seal gas?

The higher the operating pressure of the lube oil reservoir and the

heavier MW of seal gas the worse the lube oil dilution will be.

Does the machine have any mechanical issues (ie high vibration or

high bearing temperature)?
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Posts: 5| Location: CA, USA| Registered: 01 April 2011

Valve posted 03 April 2011 12:54 AM Hide Post

is it the separation gas or the process gas that contaminating the

bearing oil?

Posts: 488| Location: Jubail, KSA| Registered: 09 August2006

William_C._Foiles posted 06 April 2011 09:18 AM Hide Post

This is an area where magnetic bearings can have an

advantage.

Regards,

Bill

Posts: 2919| Location: Houston, TX USA| Registered:23 February 2005

turb1posted 06 April 2011 11:10 PM Hide Post

While true that magnetic bearing machines will not have lube oil

dilution or process contamination issues, they can have problems as

well.

The first applications of magnetic bearing machines were all in low

MW, low pressure ethylene processing applications due to the high

cost of lube oil contamination in the process. As they are applied to

high pressure, high MW (and high density) applications they can have

issues.

Magnetic bearings are not very stiff, with higher density process

gases the forces on the rotor are much higher and can become anissue. Also, all turboexpander manufacturers are at the mercy of the

magnetic bearing supplier and the tuning loops that they can provide.

This can add another level of complexity when there is an issue and it

needs to be resolved quickly.

Given Mohammad's location, I am guessing that his machine is fairly

high pressure (hence the lube oil dilution issue) and also potentially

sour/wet which is not a good combination for magnetic bearings.

Posts: 5| Location: CA, USA| Registered: 01 April 2011

Mohammad

CMRP,MLA1

posted 13 April 2011 02:48 PM Hide Post

William / turb1,

Thanks for your inputs.

Last week the T/expander OEM, Mafi Trench recommended us to

use Synthetic lube Oil ISO VG 46 for our application. The key

benefit of Synthetic lubricant is due to its thermal stability, since

this machine is subjected to higher bearing temps.

Regards

Mohammad
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Reply

Posts: 150| Location: Muscat, Oman| Registered: 07 May2005

Valve posted 21 April 2011 03:52 AM Hide Post

Mohammad,

I thought you have issue on gas contamination into lube oil. What did

mafi told you about the issue? Yes, we all aware that syntetic oil is

superior than mineral in many ways. but you are still living with theissue right? the only changes you will see is reduction in oil change

frequency. you can just hope the frequency reduction will besignificant

Posts: 488| Location: Jubail, KSA| Registered: 09 August2006

RELI

PREDICTposted 19 May 2011 05:37 PM Hide Post

Some vaccum dehydration carts can help in getting rid of dissolved

ligher hydrocarbons and keeps oil clean. which can provide a extended

drain intervals.

Synthetic shall help to improve the situation.

Posts: 64| Location: Kuwait| Registered: 31 May 2008

Eric L posted 20 May 2011 08:24 AM Hide Post

We have special purpose built equipment to remove hydrocarbons

from lube oil. Please contact me at my email address for further

information.

Posts: 38| Location: SE USA| Registered: 10 July 2010

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