Gas turbine lubricant evaluation

Spencer, Matthew Richard (2014). Gas turbine lubricant evaluation. University of Birmingham. Eng.D.

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Abstract

This thesis is a study of the chemical and physical changes which can occur to gas turbine lubricants as a result of exposure to operational conditions. The continual evolution toward more efficient gas turbines is accompanied by increasing thermal and mechanical loading which the lubricant must be able to withstand. In this thesis two major degradation issues are studied; thermal oxidative degradation and lubricant deposition.

In the area of thermal oxidative degradation, efforts are made to better understand the key parameters which determine the lubricant breakdown mechanism. Through control of these parameters and comparison to service derived gas turbine oil samples a new laboratory methodology is proposed for the assessment of lubricant oxidative degradation.

The study of lubricant deposition in this thesis is concentrated on the regions of highest risk, the bearing chamber feed (single phase) and vent (two phase) oil pipes. Development of existing laboratory scale deposition simulators was conducted to increase how engine representative the methods are of gas turbine conditions. These simulators were used to evaluate the rate of deposition with a range of lubricants, simulated engine cycles and pipe surfaces.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Eng.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Eng.D.

Supervisor(s):