Steam turbine in Greece: water from 392 to 46 ppm in 17 days
Oil analysis on a Greek power station's steam turbine showed water, particles and a risk of varnish. Over 17 days the water content fell from 392 to 46 ppm, the cleanliness code from ISO 20/18/14 to 17/15/11 and the insoluble varnish from 26.6 to 4.8.
ISO 4406 cleanliness code
Routine analysis of the lubricating oil in a steam turbine at a major Greek power station showed three problems at once: a raised particle count, water in the oil and a risk of varnish. Hexagon Europe recommended an offline filter from Delta Xero’s DX1000 series.
The oil was followed with three samples in December 2024 using the ASTM D7647 method. From the first to the last sample, 17 days, the water content fell from 392 to 46 ppm, and the cleanliness code from ISO 20/18/14 to 17/15/11. Particles above 4 µm fell from 7,077 to 1,057 per ml.
The insoluble varnish (I-MPC), which deposits on components, fell from 26.6 to 4.8. The soluble varnish (S-MPC) rose slightly over the same period, from 40.6 to 46.3; both figures are shown in the table above.
The laboratory is not named in the manufacturer’s case material.
The figures before and after
| Measurement | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 4406 cleanliness code | 20/18/14 | 17/15/11 |
| Water, Karl Fischer | 392 ppm | 46 ppm |
| Particles above 4 µm per ml | 7,077 | 1,057 |
| I-MPC (insoluble varnish) | 26.6 | 4.8 |
| S-MPC (soluble varnish) | 40.6 | 46.3 |
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