Temperature Effect on Solid Deposit Formation in Turbine Lubricants

• DOI: 10.1115/gt2023-102096
• Publication Date: 2023-09-28T20:07:21Z
• Authors: Raquel Juárez; Noble Gutierrez; Eric L. Petersen
• Keywords: Degradation; Arrhenius plot; Shrinkage

Abstract When exposed to extremely high temperatures, oils in turbomachinery applications can degrade until they form solid, carbonaceous coke deposits that cause serious operational issues. Three of the main factors affect formation process are temperature, residence time, and oil composition (basestock additives). This study explored effect surface temperature on coking induction time four turbine oils. The is defined as amount required for start forming accumulating under specific test conditions. Experiments were conducted at maximum measured temperatures ranged between approximately 430°C 540°C. It was confirmed increasing results an exponential increase degradation rate (or decrease time). Using Arrhenius relation, ratio apparent activation energy ideal gas constant, Ea/Ru, calculated two different definitions temperature. These energies from 12,900 46,800 K. values, which related oils’ resistance thermal breakdown, may be used predict how will perform operating found three performed similarly, while remaining one had inferior performance. Future studies should explore more factors, such exposure oxygen, heated-surface geometry, time.