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Readers Challenge    September 8, 2004

Bewildering Oil Analysis Results

Greg Combrink, Total Contamination Control Ltd.

1. Check that the sample procedure was followed and that the possibility of organic material contamination of the drawn sample (carbon based solids) was ruled out. Did the sampler use the dusting cloth (filled with coal dust) to wipe out a (certified clean container). Is the sample representative of the system

2. Check turbine operational temperature record for any high temps that could allow severe oxidation of the oil into solid carbon.

3. Check that the analytical lab was returning good and certified results, i.e. ask to see particle counter calibration record and verify that the person running the test followed procedure.

4.Check soot levels

Oil used in turbines in the past react with the modern based oils to form grease like "particles" that clog up oriface and passages etc. If one had to use a container that had remnant newer based oil or alkaline type based oil in it to top up the older turbine oil, then a chemical reaction occurs forming the grease like substance (organic contaminant (carbon and hydrogen)thus not detected by typical machines used for SOAP).

Typically the old "acid plus a base reacts to form a salt plus water" grade 10 chemistry applies but in this case the "salt" is a "soap" that precipitates out and absorbs oil forming the grease-like substance that will be detected by particle counting but not by the typical elemental analysis.

Thus go around and look for the offending contaminated topping up container or go a search for the container (probably still half full) of alkaline based oil that had been added to the turbine system (it will probably still be a "New Improved Formula" turbine oil.

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