ISSN: 1546-962X
Page Count: 10

Review of Degradation Mechanisms Leading to Sludge and Varnish in Modern Turbine Oil Formulations
Fitch, JC
Noria Corporation, OK

Gebarin, S
Noria Corporation, OK

(Received 16 November 2005; accepted 16 May 2006)

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an unusually large number of reported cases associated with varnish and sludge formation in turbine-generator and compressor applications using Group II turbine oil formulations. Explanations for these problems have varied but typically include Group I/Group II incompatibility, additive instability, bulk oil oxidation, adiabatic compressive heating, electrostatic discharge, among others. This paper reviews these failure pathways and discusses actual case history including root cause analysis. Analytical methods for the sludge/varnish and the degraded oil are also reviewed.

Keywords:

Paper ID: JAI13504
DOI: 10.1520/JAI13504
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.