Looking Back to Look Forward
As we reflect on 2024, we recognize the introduction of the Innovation Train, inviting you to join us on a journey focused on “teaching the world a better way” through Lubricant Chemistry Management. This train symbolizes the ever-evolving journey we are undertaking here at EPT Clean Oil™ and our commitment to leading the industry forward.
From advanced filtration solutions for phosphate ester fluids in essential electro-hydraulic control (EHC) systems to innovative turbine mineral oil technologies for steam turbine applications, every stop has unveiled breakthrough innovations promoting proactive maintenance and sustainability.
As we approach the final station in 2024, we want to take a moment to honor the change agent who inspired and initiated this journey. To accomplish this, we must look back — back to the beginning of EPT Clean Oil.
Join us as we reflect on the past before looking ahead to the exciting destinations awaiting us in 2025. That’s right, we’re not ready for you to disembark from the Innovation Train just yet—there are many more exciting innovations on the horizon.
Let’s journey back in time to 1992.
As the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared before us, we were whisked away to a time long gone — a place filled with struggles of turbine maintenance and lubrication failures. There stood Peter Dufresne Sr., consumed by frustration. The turbines groaned, the valves were stuck, and the system failed repeatedly. “The oils are degrading,” Peter muttered, his face etched with worry. “Acids, oxidation, varnish…conventional filtration technologies wasn’t getting the job done.”
As he paced back and forth, the weight of the problem felt heavy on his shoulders. Then, a sudden realization struck him. He stopped, his eyes lighting up. “What if the answer isn’t more filtration but different filtration? Resin-based ion-exchange filtration,” he exclaimed. With that thought, ICB® ion-exchange technology was born. It was a spark that would ignite change, though it would not come without struggle.
As the vision faded, Peter’s final words echoed: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” The lesson was clear: change was possible, but only for those who dared to think differently and seek solutions. With that, the ghost moved on, and the lesson had been learned.
The story of ICB® is one of growth, evolution, and the pursuit of solutions to the ever-changing challenges of lubricant quality. Developing the ICB ion-exchange technology not only defined our identity but also motivated us to push further and explore the various hurdles affecting lubricant quality worldwide.
Over the years, the vision for ICB technology grew and adapted to meet the evolving demands and challenges faced by turbomachinery operators. By the early 2000s, ICB technology had established itself as the preferred solution for EHC fluid filtration in some of the largest power plants worldwide. The results were impressive and spoke for themselves.
At TVA’s Cumberland River Plant, an 1100 MW ABB/BBC steam turbine with previous EHC fluid issues had been derated. The application of ICB yielded impressive results. Operators reported savings exceeding $10 million through the ability to re-rate their turbine, highlighting the step change benefit of ICB. Similarly, at Power Seraya in Singapore, six 250 MW Parsons steam turbines faced repeated breakdowns. After applying ICB, they experienced $6 million in cost savings as documented in “Ion Exchange Resin Treatment of Phosphate Ester Fluids in Pula Seraya Power Station,” Power Seraya Ltd. Internal Report, September 2003. These figures represent financial savings and demonstrate the transformative power of innovation in action.
By 2001, the adoption of ICB filtration had accelerated, resulting in nearly 800 installations in some of the most significant power plants in North America and Asia. It was a moment of triumph, but we didn’t stop there. We launched TMR®, ECR® and SVR®, which helped these success stories continue and allowed us to evolve and find solutions for emerging lubricant issues.
What began as a simple desire to enhance lubricant quality has transformed into a revolution in turbine lubricant maintenance. This endeavour is not just about a product; it represents a journey of continuous innovation, a strong commitment to excellence, and an unwavering determination to tackle the industry’s toughest challenges. And this journey is far from over.
‘Then, in a flash, the Ghost of Christmas Present appeared, exuding an aura of positivity. He whispered, “Positive inputs equal positive outputs,” as he set his sights on Peter Dufresne Jr.
With Peter now leading the way at EPT Clean Oil, the spirit transported him on a journey across the globe, revealing the powerful impact of Peter’s work. As they moved through time and space, Peter witnessed firsthand the change his actions had inspired. The evidence of the ripple effect he had set in motion was unmistakable.
In that moment, Peter became blissfully aware. “Yes, my mission is working.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, Peter began to chant softly, his voice filled with conviction:”Teaching the world a better way…”
The Ghost nodded in silent approval and left him to reflect on what they just witnessed.
Peter paused to reflect on everything that had happened, and one thought echoed loudly: Where would we be without ICB? It is the foundation of all our innovation, the cornerstone upon which everything is built. But how could he genuinely convey its significance?
Then, a realization struck him: it’s what’s inside the can that counts. No matter how you name it, a filter is still just a filter. But ICB was so much more than that. It wasn’t just the technology but the transformative power behind it.
This driving force had shaped everything. Peter started to examine the unique elements that made ICB truly stand out.
As the Ghost of Christmas Future appears, armed with the counts, Peter stands with confidence rather than fear, as Scrooge once did, while the spirit points ahead.
The two have an unspoken certainty that if Peter and EPT Clean Oil continue their current path, they will achieve countless innovations. This success hinges on their solution-oriented mindset in addressing the challenges customers face. In return, they will wholeheartedly embody their vision of “teaching the world a better way.”
Over the past 30 years, one thing has become clear: our equipment and solutions rely on the strong foundation that ICB has steadfastly built. The future is bright with ICB at the helm, especially as we launch new products and maintain our commitment to teaching the world a better through Lubricant Chemistry Management.
