Turbine and generator oil monitoring
We monitor water and ageing in turbine bearing oil, gearboxes and generator sets. You see the risk of an unplanned outage early.
- 1Vibration · Bearing housing
- 2Temperature · Bearing housing
- 3Oil sensor · Oil tank
Monitored equipment
Hydro: turbine bearing oil system, governor hydraulics, generator bearings. Wind: main gearbox, yaw and pitch hydraulics. Generator sets: engine oil, turbocharger. Thermal: auxiliary pump and fan gearboxes.
| Topic | In this industry |
|---|---|
| Main oil risk | Oxidation, moisture, contamination |
| Monitoring goal | Continuity of output |
| Benefit | Lower risk of unplanned outages. |
The right product and monitoring level are defined at the quote stage.
What we measure
In the oil, viscosity, water and moisture, oil ageing, particle contamination (ISO 4406 code) and the wear-metal trend are measured. On the machine, vibration level and temperature are monitored. When a reading moves away from the machine's normal range, the screen changes from green to amber or red. Warning signs and what they mean
What we do not measure: metal identification (which metal a particle is), acid and base number (TAN/TBN) and vibration spectrum analysis (FFT). These tests need a laboratory and a specialist. DataMonitor does not replace them. It works alongside them. The system watches for warning signs and gives early warning. It does not diagnose faults.
Power generation FAQ
How serious is water in turbine oil?
Water is the most common contaminant in hydro turbine bearing oil systems (US USBR FIST 2-4). It can shorten turbine and generator bearing life. Turbine oil stays clear up to about 75 ppm of water at room temperature (US USACE). So water can cause problems before you can see it. The sensor measures water as ppm and water activity and shows any rise early.
How is wind turbine gearbox oil monitored?
Sensors on the main gearbox oil circuit track moisture, contamination and ageing as trends. The wear-metal particle trend can show rising gear or bearing wear. Turbines are usually in remote places. Level 3 online access therefore sends alerts to your phone and email. You can follow the condition of the oil without travelling to the site.
When should generator set oil be changed?
A fixed interval would be misleading. The decision should combine the engine manufacturer's recommendation with the measured condition of the oil. Falling viscosity can point to fuel dilution. Dielectric and water rising quickly together can point to a coolant leak. Planning changes from test results rather than the calendar reduces both unnecessary and late changes (US USBR FIST 2-4).
A quote for your machine
The machine, the oil in use and the problem are discussed by phone. The right product and monitoring level are defined. The price is sent as a written quote.
- Product recommendation for your machine
- Written quote
- Installation and alarm set-up included