What are the different oil grades used for turbine lubrication? Should we only use the oil suggested by the OEM?

Turbines are essential components of many industrial and power generation systems, and proper lubrication is critical to their performance and longevity. Turbines operate at high speeds and under extreme stress, and the lubricant oil used in these systems serves several critical functions:

• Reducing friction and wear: Lubricating oil aids in the reduction of friction and wear between the turbine's moving parts. This helps to extend the life of the components and improve overall system efficiency.
• Cooling: During operation, the turbine is exposed to high temperature, and the lubricating oil helps to dissipate this heat and keep the journal away from overheating.
• Cleaning: Lubricating oil can help remove contaminants and wear particles from the turbine bearing, preventing damage and improving system performance.

Proper turbine lubrication necessitates the use of high-quality lubricating oils designed specifically for this purpose. It is also critical to keep the oil at the proper level and replace it at the appropriate intervals to ensure that it performs its functions effectively.

It is possible to keep a turbine running smoothly and efficiently by using the proper lubricating oils and following the best maintenance practices.

Let us now look at which oil grades should be used for turbine lubrication.

There are several oil grades that can be used for turbine lubrication, and the specific grade that is best for a particular application is determined by the turbine's design and operating conditions. ISO VG (viscosity grade) 32, 46, and 68 are some common oil grades used for turbine lubrication.

It is generally recommended that you use the oil grade recommended by your turbine's Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The OEM has conducted extensive testing to determine the best oil grade for your specific turbine, and using a different grade could result in decreased performance or even turbine damage.

In addition to using the correct oil grade, it is critical to use a lubricant that meets the turbine's specific performance requirements. Specific additives or performance properties such as oxidative stability, anti-foam performance, and corrosion protection may be required. Using a lubricant that does not meet these performance requirements may result in reduced performance or turbine damage.

The usage of oil also depends on the tropical conditions where the industry is situated, for cold weather conditions, it is suggested to use oil with low viscosity grade and for hot weather conditions, oil with high viscosity grade is suggested. Also a detailed analysis and cross checking with the OEM recommendation is required to choose the grade of oil for optimal performance and turbine protection.