Power Generation Lubrication Consulting

Clarus Technologies has a strong track record in solving lubrication issues for the power generation industry.  A growing, significant problem for turbine oils is varnish formation.  Clarus has performed a lot research in this area and has helped out countless power plants detect varnish formation and solve varnish problems.  Please contact Clarus for more information on varnish, or to inquire about our consulting services.  A list of technical papers that Clarus has written on varnish are available upon request.

Varnish in gas turbines may cause the following problems:

• Valve stiction & seizure in fuel control valves.
• Valve trip relays in hydraulic system, such as IGV.
• Shuttle valves stiction and failure.
• Varnish buildup disrupts development of oil wedge on hydrodynamic bearings separating moving and stationary surfaces.
• Attracts dirt and larger contaminants, increasing component wear.
• Loss of heat occurs in heat exchangers due to varnish's insulation effect.
• Catalytic deterioration of the lubricant.
• Plugs small oil flow orifices and oil strainers within the lube and hydraulic oil circuits.
• Babbitt failure tears off of bearing surfaces

Gas Turbine

Varnish formation on a gas turbine bearing

 

Primary Contact
Ron Danielsen, Naval-Marine Development
ron.danielsen@clarustechnologies.com