Do Group II Oils Deserve Their Bad Reputation?
Users often complain that before using Group II base-stock oils, they didn’t have a problem with varnish. As a result, Group II oils have a reputation for being varnish prone, leading users to
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Blogs | Lubricant Analysis | Lubricant Conditioning | Lubricant Varnish | Proactive Maintenance | Technical Papers
Bad Turbomachinery Lubricant or Bad Maintenance?
Users often complain that their turbomachinery lubricant is not performing well because the varnish potential (MPC) number is elevated, or their oil is oxidizing when additives are still present. This drives users to
→What Routine EHC Fluid Analysis Fails to Detect: Improved Phosphate Ester Maintenance Through Non-Routine Testing
Matthew G. Hobbs, PhD, Peter T. Dufresne Jr. Paper Abstract Despite the critical nature of electrohydraulic control (EHC) systems, many steam turbine operators’ oil analysis programs fail to detect fine insoluble contaminants that
→A Paradigm Shift in Gas Turbine Lubricant Maintenance
Peter T. Dufresne Jr., Matthew G. Hobbs, PhD Paper Abstract While gas turbine oil maintenance is recognized as being essential, many programs lack the basic tools to maintain their lubricants within specification. Existing
→Oil and Water Shouldn’t Mix: Restoration of Steam Turbine Oil Demulsibility
Matthew G. Hobbs, PhD, Peter T. Dufresne Jr. Paper Abstract Steam turbines are responsible for up to 80% of global electricity production. Because steam powers these units, ingression of water into steam turbine
→Varnish Mitigation: Relative Effectiveness of Non-Deposit-Forming Next Generation Lubricants vs. the Use of Varnish Removal Filters with their Conventional Counterparts
Matthew G. Hobbs, PhD, Peter T. Dufresne Jr. Paper Abstract Turbine lubricants employ a variety of base fluids. Mineral oil-derived base stocks remain the most prevalent, however, synthetics are becoming increasingly common. These
→Why Varnish Removal Fails: The Soluble-Insoluble Varnish Equilibrium
Paper Abstract Varnish is produced by breakdown of hydrocarbon lubricants. Its deleterious impact on equipment performance and reliability is well-documented. Varnish has traditionally been defined as an insoluble deposit, however, it also exists
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