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Turbine Engine Lubrication: A Vital Function
Turbine engine has high rotations per minute (RPM) and generates large energy due to compression. The rotating components in the turbine engine (Engine Bearings) must be lubricated at all times for smooth functioning of the engine. The lubricant must flow across the bearings at high pressure (Ehlert, 2011).
Background - Turbine Engines
A turbine is a machine utilizing a rotor or a wheel to produce power that is generating by the motion of the steam, water, air, gas or any fluid. The flow of the gas or the liquid rotates the wheel that in turn rotates the rotating parts of the turbine for generating power. A turbine would always consist of one part which is rotating and is known rotor assembly consisting of a long shaft with a set of blades attached to the shaft. The flowing liquid or gas passes through the blades of the rotor, rotate the turbine, thereby generating power. Turbines have evolved from windmills, waterwheels (ATC, 2014).
Types of Turbine Engines
The varied forms of the turbine engines are Wind, Water, Gas, and Steam. Wind turbines employ the wind's kinetic energy for generating electricity. Wind turbines need to be strategically located at places where the geographical conditions and weather are suitable for their operations with consistent and high-pressure wind regions. Wind turbines are cost effective, renewable but low on efficiency (ATC, 2014).
Water turbines utilize the power of water by creating some form of the barrier through a dam for channeling the water pressure through a set of narrow tunnels. The routed water channels, in turn, rotate the turbine blades for generating electricity. The water turbines are much efficient but limited by the volume and flow of water. The resource required for water turbines i.e. water is completely renewable but costly as they depend on the construction of dams (ATC, 2014).
Steam turbines utilize the thermal energy from steam to mechanically drive the turbine blades and the rotor shaft. Most of the energy produced in the United States is through some form of steam turbine. The generated steam is routed through turbine parts to drive the turbine generator (ATC, 2014).
Gas turbines employ internal combustion for generating force to rotate the turbine blades and the shaft. A jet engine is the most popular and known form of a Gas turbine. Jet engines use highly accelerated exhaust mechanism to provide thrust based on jet propulsion. Jet engines are a popular form of turbine engines that are most commonly used in military and commercial airplanes (ATC, 2014).
Lubrication in Turbine Engine
Lubrication is a significant component of the proper functioning of the engine bearings and thereby smooth functioning of the engine. The loss of lubrication oil is not immediately catastrophic. However, the engine bearing bear a brunt of the same and may result in the complete engine collapse or a bearing failure due to high friction (Attard, Watson, & Konidaris, 2006). The bearing conditions due to lack of lubrication may result in catastrophic situations compromising the bearing and the engine. Lubrication system greatly enhances the life of bearings with cooler temperatures surrounding the bearing. The lubrication system reduces the friction between moving parts, transfers the heat from internal engine part to exterior parts for cooling, and removes the carbon particle combustion and contaminants of air or fuel. The engine efficiency is greatly enhanced with an effective lubricating system. Most lubrication system also acts as shock absorbers for the engine vibrations (Ehlert, 2011).
Forms of Lubrication in Turbine Engines
The oil based lubrication systems are mainly of two types, namely Wet Sump and Dry Sump. The system consists of an Oil Pump, Oil Filter, Oil Pressure Gauge, and Oil Temperature Gauge. The complete system not only acts as a lubricant but also as a filtering mechanism for impurities going towards the engine and a shock absorber. The Wet sump is used for small turbine engines. The dry sump lubrication system has a more complex assembly then the wet sump. It is usually larger than wet sump and gets an external oil supply assembly. The dry sump includes a complex connection of pipes that run to and fro from the engine to the oil assembly. It consists of more than one oil lines. The dry sump lubrication mechanism is normally used for large turbine engines (Attard, Watson, & Konidaris, 2006). Oil mist is a lubrication system for the turbine engines. Oil mist lubrication works by atomizing the oil into minute particles and delivers the required amount of lubricant to the engine bearings and metallic walls, thereby increasing the life of the machinery. Oil mist can be employed through any form i.e. either through Dry Sump or Wet Sump mechanism (Ehlert, 2011).
Impact of Loss of Lubrication on Turbine Engine
Limited operation of the turbine engine is possible in the scenario of no oil or loss of oil, but an early shutdown is recommended to prevent loss of engine bearings or engine collapse. The friction in engine bearings due to loss of oil causes additional heat generation, loss of engine’s efficiency and excessive wear of the engine bearings and surrounding components (Ehlert, 2011).
Latest Forms of Lubrication Systems of Turbine Engines
All the types of turbine engines i.e. wind, steam, water and gas require some or the other form of lubrication for keeping the machinery working and reduce wear and tear on the equipment. A popular form of the lubrication system in use across the industry is Oil mist. Oil mist provides a clean environment, eliminates contaminants resulting in a protection of the engine bearings (Ehlert, 2011).
Discussion and Summary
Lubrication is a vital and essential part of the turbine mechanism. There are different forms and types of turbine engines, but lubrication is a system that is required for the smooth functioning of the engines. The most common form of lubrication is oil based which is further divided into two categories namely Wet Sump and Dry Dump. Lubrication is an essential part of engine bearing performing the requisite support for effective function and running of the engine machinery. Lubrication not only provides smooth functioning but also provides protection against shock, wear and tear and excessive heat generation due to friction. It protects the bearings and the engine wall, thereby granting an extra life to the engine. Oil mist system for lubrication is one of the popular forms of lubrication which is accessible and famous across the industry.
Conclusion
Lubricant is an essential component for enhancing the life of the components and the engines. In the case of low lubricant or loss of lubricant oil, a precautionary shutdown of the engine is recommended. Lack of lubricant would result in catastrophic events resulting in even grave incidents like engine failure or wear and tear of the engine machinery. Lubricant is not only vital for the turbine but also critical for a long life and smooth function of the turbine engines. The loss resulting from bearing or engine failure is high and can lead to significant cost burden or manpower lost.
Reference
ATC, (2014). What is a Turbine Engine?. Retrieved 7 February 2016,
Attard, W., Watson, H., & Konidaris, S. (2006). Highly turbocharging a restricted, odd fire,
two cylinder small engine: design, lubrication, tuning and control.
Ehlert, D. (2011). Getting the Facts on Oil Mist Lubrication. In Texas A&M Middle
East Turbomachinery Symposium.
