|
Is Turbine Flush Justified?
John Hillwick, Maintenance, Unicco
I would recommend not waiting to change the oil in the turbine
for the following reasons:
1. The particles already in the system will do more damage over
the next two years and will increase the rebuild costs.
2. Filters are not the answer in keeping the system clean for
the next two years, unless your willing to increase the change
out frequency to make the unit survive another two years at an
additional cost and still risking a major failure in the middle
of the summer peak period.
3. Having all the different particles and material in this unit
will cause the unit to run hotter with the intermittent blockage
of the various lube passages, plus causing additional damage over
the next two years the other components of the turbine, such as,
fuel control, main turbine blade bearings, and etc.
4. Take the time now while you are down and flush the system.
5. Monitor the unit for the next year by taking samples and then
determine the true amount of work it will take to put the unit
back into proper working order.
6. By flushing and changing out the oil now will improve the
running condition of the unit for the next year and can be monitored
over the next two years. Use the data to benchmark you need to
make a more accurate rebuild estimate.
See other responses
to this Readers Challenge.
|
