Technical Papers

The benefits of maintaining clean hydraulic control systems have been well established,...

The benefits of maintaining clean hydraulic control systems have been well established, proven and documented. Yet so many people ignore these proven facts. The end result can be detrimental with shut down of major petrochemical plants or oil and gas platforms. This paper provides real case examples of how critical...

Oil analysis is well established as a routine tool to optimize maintenance...

Oil analysis is well established as a routine tool to optimize maintenance activities, improve reliability and equipment life, and prevent component failures. However, when equipment is grease-lubricated, the important lubricant analysis piece is usually left out of the mix. New developments are improving sampling techniques and streamlining grease analysis tests...

Increasingly, managers and engineers, who are responsible for manufacturing and other industrial...

Increasingly, managers and engineers, who are responsible for manufacturing and other industrial pursuits, are incorporating a reliability focus into their strategic and tactical plans and initiatives. This trend is affecting numerous functional areas, including machine/system design and procurement, plant operations and plant maintenance. With its origins in the aviation industry,...

Several papers have recently been published discussing the problems of lubricant varnish,...

Several papers have recently been published discussing the problems of lubricant varnish, the mechanisms of formation and methods to "solve" lubricant varnish. Yet many challenges remain in solving varnish problems when modern oil formulations are used in certain applications, including large-frame gas turbines and centrifugal compressors. This is because the...

Selecting an oil analysis laboratory can be a stressful process. It is...

Selecting an oil analysis laboratory can be a stressful process. It is important to make sure you get the most bang for your buck, as well as ensure that your needs are met. There are several factors to consider when selecting a laboratory including economical, logistical and scientific issues. Once...

Whether it's a budget issue, management buy-in, lack of individuals or just...

Whether it's a budget issue, management buy-in, lack of individuals or just a small company with limited funds, there are ways to establish an effective oil analysis program with minimal startup and operation costs. In this session you'll hear case studies on alternatives to expensive in-house test equipment, good utilization...

Microscopic particles are the most harmful form of lubricant contamination. They initiate...

Microscopic particles are the most harmful form of lubricant contamination. They initiate irreversible microscopic damage that causes macroscopic damage, which disables and destroys bearings, gears, valves and other components. Lubricants can be filtered to remove microscopic particles; however, particles can damage equipment before being removed by filtration. The most proficient...

Free radicals formed by oxidation or spark discharge are frequently at the...

Free radicals formed by oxidation or spark discharge are frequently at the root cause for varnish and deposit formation in turbines. Traditional methods of analyzing used oils such as viscosity measurement, acidity or carbonyl oxidation is usually inadequate to predict eminent field problems. This presentation discusses why different behavior is...

The changes in gas turbine designs coupled with changes in turbine oil...

The changes in gas turbine designs coupled with changes in turbine oil formulations have led to a real and identifiable problem of oil-related turbine trips caused by varnish. Changes in turbine oil asset-management; changes in turbine oil filtration methods and shortened turbine oil drain intervals have become necessary as a...