Coking of gas turbine lubrication oils at elevated temperatures

Over the last several decades, turbine efficiency has improved significantly, resulting in higher operating temperatures that negatively affect lubricating oil circulating through system. Exposure to high results degradation and eventual formation of solid deposits which greatly limit oil’s ability reduce wear cool components. An experimental apparatus was designed built allow for studying better understanding this phenomenon. The consists a flow loop with heated test section is pumped. comes into contact hot surfaces degrades forms deposits. As time passes, deposit buildup decreases heat transfer occurs at section. bulk out are used as indicators induction rate, may be analyzed end experiment. Air or an inert gas pressurize system up 69 bar, while surface 650°C. Data from one initial tests performed using lube included paper. resulted clear on data show decrease temperature over due their formation. Assembly testing have been completed, it now fully operational ready future studies thermal oxidation.