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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Utilizing air purge to reduce water contamination of lube systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:82751
 [1]
  1. Foster Cove Engineering, Charlestown, RI (United States)
Lubrication systems are exposed to contaminants including dirt, process dilutants and water. Water contamination of lubricating oil is commonly experienced by users of machinery such as steam and gas turbines, compressors, pumps, motors, generators and others. Poorly designed or maintained turbomachinery features such as bearing housing seals and shaft packing do not prevent moisture laden air, the primary source of water, from entering the lube system. This paper presents a case history where a mechanical drive steam turbine and boiler feed pump was experiencing severe water contamination of the lube system. Bearing and control system component failures resulted from water induced corrosion. Various systems and approaches for dealing with this contamination are reviewed. Installation of a very simple and cost effective system using low pressure air applied directly to the bearing housing oil seals proved a most effective method for eliminating measurable water contamination of the lubrication system and can be applied to machinery of all types.
OSTI ID:
82751
Report Number(s):
CONF-941007--; ISBN 0-7918-1382-7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English