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vibehigh
Posted
Hi everyone !,
Has anyone ever heard of the term "Polymerized" oil?
We just serviced a centrifuge to a gas compressor lube oil system and there is a black pitch like...tar like stuff found.Some one mentioned long ago the same problem was occurring and a sample of the "Tar like stuff" was sent to a lab for analysis.The sample was put under an electron microscope and the molecular chain was found to be same as the fresh lube oil sample, only longer.
Do any of you guys have had an experience like this?
 
Posts: 42 | Location: trinidad & tobago | Registered: 02 September 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Alex J
Posted Hide Post
I had similar situation when the process gas (strong oxidizer) leaked through the seals to oil console. The steam was put in the heater without oil circulation and local overheating caused oil to polymerize. After the oil pump was put in service it sreaded all the way throght the gearings and gearbox and major cleaning was required.
 
Posts: 78 | Location: Baytown, TX | Registered: 17 March 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
RR
Posted Hide Post
I am not sure, if you are talking about "Varnish problem". Attacched link for an article may be useful.. http://www.practicingoilanalysis.com/article_detail.asp...ookgroup=OilAnalysis
 
Posts: 54 | Location: ME | Registered: 15 September 2004Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
vibehigh
Posted Hide Post
Thanks guys

Thanks for the link Raj but I don't think this is not a varnish problem, Alex J seems to know exactly what I am talking about, the only thing is we had leaking seals,but this was repaired about two months ago, why now this "polymerize" oil is appearing ?
Alex J, how did you prove that it was polymerized oil, did you do an electron microscope test?
 
Posts: 42 | Location: trinidad & tobago | Registered: 02 September 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
electricpete
Posted Hide Post
I searched and found this description:

quote:
CRC HANDBOOK of LUBRICATION (Theory and Practice of Tribology) Volume II 0-8493-3902-2:
"Oxidation Inhibitors
Oxidation, the most common form of lubricant deterioration, proceeds through free-radical reactions which are accelerated by heat and catalyzed by metals. In hydrocarbon lubricants, free-radicals react with oxygen to form peroxy free-radicals which attack hydrocarbons to form new free-radicals and hydroperoxides. Free-radicals are formed faster than they are used and the rate of oxidation increases.
Some hydroperoxides decompose into aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and other oxygen-containing hydrocarbons. The oxygen compounds polymerize to form viscous soluble materials (lubricant thickening) and insoluble materials (sludge and deposits.) Some of the oxygen compounds are active, polar materials that accelerate rust and corrosion."

All I can figure out from all the mumbo-jumbo is that sludge/deposits and thickening are two different possible end results of a long series of oxidation processes. What makes it go one way or the other doesn't seem to be described here.
 
Posts: 2847 | Location: Texas Gulf Coast | Registered: 20 February 2005Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Alex J
Posted Hide Post
Vibehugh,
When this issue happened a number of years ago I did not do any special analysis. The issue was quite obvious and only question was how to prevent it in the future. As original installation had ge-gasifying tank for sour oil from which it was routed back to main oil tank we decided to catch all sour oil in the drums and despose it to prevent lube oil contamination. This problem never happened again.
 
Posts: 78 | Location: Baytown, TX | Registered: 17 March 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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