Turbine oil system

The functions of a turbine oil system

• Lubrication: The turbine oil system lubricates the components of the turbine to reduce friction and wear. This helps to ensure the smooth operation of the turbine and prevents damage to its parts.
• Heat Transfer: The system also transfers heat away from the turbine components to prevent overheating. This is important because overheating can cause significant damage to the turbine and may lead to costly repairs or downtime.
• Contaminant Removal: The system removes contaminants and debris from the oil to maintain its effectiveness. Contaminants can build up in the oil over time and reduce its ability to lubricate and protect the turbine components.
• Consistent Pressure and Flow: The system maintains consistent oil pressure and flow to ensure proper lubrication. This is important because inadequate oil pressure or flow can lead to poor lubrication, increased wear on the turbine components, and potentially catastrophic failure.
• Monitoring: The system also monitors oil temperature and pressure to prevent damage or failure. This allows the turbine operator to take corrective action before any serious damage occurs.
• Reservoir: The system provides a reservoir for storing and supplying oil to the turbine as needed. This ensures that there is always enough oil available to lubricate and protect the turbine components.
• Optimization: Depending on the specific design, the system may include filtration, cooling, and heating components to optimize oil performance. This can help to extend the lifespan of the turbine components and reduce maintenance requirements.
• Lifespan Extension: Overall, the turbine oil system helps to extend the lifespan of turbine components and reduce maintenance requirements. By ensuring that the turbine is properly lubricated and protected, the system helps to minimize wear and tear on its parts, which can lead to longer intervals between maintenance and repair.

In a steam turbine, ( 200 MW & above capacity) the main oil pump is typically a turbine shaft mounted centrifugal type pump. Here are some key features of the main oil pump:-

• The main oil pump is directly mounted on the turbine shaft, which allows it to be driven by the rotating motion of the turbine.
• This type of pump is also known as a “shaft-driven pump” or “integral pump.”
• The pump is typically a centrifugal type pump, which uses a rotating impeller to impart kinetic energy to the oil, which is then converted to pressure as the oil flows through the pump’s volute casing.
• The oil pump is located in the turbine’s oil sump or reservoir, and is designed to draw oil from the sump and deliver it to the turbine’s bearings and other components at a pressure of 7-8 ksc.
• The main oil pump is equipped with a bypass valve, which allows oil to flow directly back to the sump in case of excess pressure.
• The pump is designed to handle a wide range of operating conditions and loads, and is typically capable of delivering up to 1200-1500 liters of oil per minute.
• The main oil pump is a critical component of the turbine’s reliability and performance, and is carefully monitored and maintained to ensure proper operation.
• The main oil pump may be accompanied by auxiliary oil pumps and filtration systems to optimize oil performance and maintain turbine reliability.

Auxiliary oil pump

In a steam turbine, auxiliary oil pumps are typically used to support the main oil pump and provide additional oil flow and pressure to the turbine’s lubrication system. Here are some key features of the auxiliary oil pump

• The auxiliary oil pump is typically an electric motor driven centrifugal type pump, which is separate from the turbine shaft mounted main oil pump.
• It is designed to provide additional oil flow and pressure to the turbine’s lubrication system, especially during start-up and shutdown when the main oil pump may not be operating at full capacity.
• The auxiliary oil pump may also provide backup support in case of failure or maintenance of the main oil pump.
• The pump is typically located in the turbine’s oil sump or reservoir, and may be equipped with filtration and cooling systems to optimize oil performance.
• The auxiliary oil pump is typically capable of delivering up to 600-800 liters of oil per minute, depending on the specific design and operating conditions.
• The pump is carefully monitored and maintained to ensure proper operation and to prevent any disruptions to the turbine’s lubrication system.
• In addition to the auxiliary oil pump, other auxiliary systems may be used in the turbine’s lubrication system, such as oil coolers, filters, and heaters, to optimize oil performance and maintain turbine reliability.

Emergency oil pump

In a steam turbine, emergency oil pumps are typically used as backup systems to provide oil flow and pressure to the turbine’s lubrication system in case of a main or auxiliary oil pump failure. Here are some key features of the emergency oil pumps

• The emergency oil pumps may be either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) driven pumps, depending on the specific design and requirements of the turbine.
• The AC-driven emergency oil pump may be driven by an electric motor or a steam turbine, and is typically designed to provide oil flow and pressure during emergency situations when the main or auxiliary oil pumps are not operating.
• The DC-driven emergency oil pump is typically a battery-operated pump, which is designed to provide oil flow and pressure to the turbine’s lubrication system in case of a complete power failure.
• The emergency oil pump is typically located in a separate compartment from the main and auxiliary oil pumps, and is equipped with its own oil reservoir and filtration system.
• The pump is carefully monitored and maintained to ensure proper operation and to prevent any disruptions to the turbine’s lubrication system in case of an emergency.
• In addition to the emergency oil pump, other emergency systems may be used in the turbine’s lubrication system, such as emergency oil coolers, filters, and heaters, to ensure reliable operation of the turbine even in extreme situations.

Jacking oil pump

In a steam turbine, the jacking oil pump is a special pump that is used to provide oil to the bearings and other components of the turbine during start-up and shut-down, when the main oil pump is not yet operational or is being shut down. Here are some key features of the jacking oil pump

• The jacking oil pump is typically a positive displacement type pump, such as a gear pump or a reciprocating pump, which is designed to deliver oil at a high pressure to ensure proper lubrication of the bearings and other components during start-up and shut-down.
• The pump is located in a separate compartment from the main oil pump and lubrication system, and is typically equipped with its own oil reservoir, filtration system, and pressure relief valves.
• The jacking oil pump is designed to operate at a much higher pressure than the main oil pump, typically around 50-60 kg/cm2, in order to ensure that the bearings are properly lubricated even when the turbine is not rotating.
• The pump is typically driven by a separate electric motor, which is connected to the pump via a coupling or gearbox.
• The jacking oil pump may also be used during emergency situations, such as a sudden loss of power or other unexpected shutdowns, to ensure that the turbine bearings remain properly lubricated and protected from damage.
• The jacking oil pump is a critical component of the turbine’s reliability and performance, and is carefully monitored and maintained to ensure proper operation and to prevent any disruptions to the turbine’s lubrication system during start-up and shut-down.