Support and EHC Flushing Services
For Steam Turbine High Pressure Fluid Systems
|
Barry Sibul and Company specializes in support and flushing services of Steam Turbine High Pressure EHC Fluid Systems for more than 10 years. During that time we have developed support and product upgrades that improve the overall reliability of the High Pressure EHC Fluid System. In addition to offering products and support services to the electric utilities, Barry Sibul and Company has been the leader in identifying and correcting the major problems associated with EHC systems.
|
|
Major Cause Of Steam Turbine Outage Is Contaminated Fluids
One Fluid Contamination is the biggest single problem with the High Pressure Fluids Systems. One of the major causes of Steam Turbine forced outage over the past 10 years has been the Electro-Hydraulic Control (EHC) System. The High Pressure Fluid System I is responsible for most of the problems currently being experienced with EHC System. Fluid Contamination is the biggest single problem with the High Pressure Fluid System.
The types of contamination attributed to EHC System Problems are:
- High Particulate levels both in the fluid and throughout the system
- High Particulates can be generated by:
- Worn Components within the system
- Dirt entering the system either through the reservoir breather, vent lines or during maintenance to the system, including filter change replacements.
- Dirty fluid added to the reservoir
- High Particulates can cause premature component wear which is seen as “Erosion”
|
 |
- High Water Content in the fluid
- High Water levels can come from:
- Moisture in the air breathed by the reservoir
- Condensation formation inside the reservoir caused by rapid fluid temperature changes.
- Leaky fluid cooler (heat exchangers)
- High Water content in the fluid can result in:
- Reduced lubricity
- Acceleration of Acid formation
- Reduced fluid resistivity
|
 |
- High Acid levels in the fluid
- Phosphate Ester fluid naturally creates aggressive acids that need to be controlled
- High Acid levels can cause
- “Corrosion” to system components
- Reduce the resistivity of the fluid
- Contribute to the formation of “gels” and” varnish” throughout the system
|
 |
- Low Electrical Resistivity of the fluid
- The ability of the fluid to conduct electricity is measured as resistivity which is negatively affected by:
- Ferrous Particulates
- Conductive Water
- Acids
- Ion Exchange Filter Media
- Low levels of resistivity can cause “Free Streaming Electron” damage to your servo valves resulting in “Etching" of their components.
|
 |
- Gel and Varnish formation throughout the system
- Gels are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between the acid control filters (Fullers Earth or Selexsorb) and the Phosphate Ester fluid.
- Gels pass through filters within the system
- Gels can plug servo filters causing the servo to fail closed
- Gels are attracted to the side walls of the tubing throughout the system
- Gels can ultimately change to a varnish
- Varnish is very hard and can damage system components
- Varnish can break off of tubing during transient operating conditions
- Varnish is difficult to remove from system.
|
 |
| 
