How Many Types of Turbine Oil Models Are There?
3 Answers
In China, turbine oil adopts the ISO6743 standard, which classifies turbine oil into five major categories and twelve varieties based on their specific uses. Here is the relevant introduction: Turbine Oil: Turbine oil, also known as turbine lubricating oil, typically includes steam turbine oil, gas turbine oil, hydraulic turbine oil, and oxidation-resistant turbine oil, among others. It is mainly used for lubricating the sliding bearings, reduction gears, governors, and hydraulic control systems of turbine units and their connected machinery. The primary functions of turbine oil are lubrication, cooling, and speed regulation. Characteristics: Based on the functional characteristics of turbine oil, to ensure the safe and economical operation of turbine units, turbine oil must possess: excellent oxidation stability; appropriate viscosity and good viscosity-temperature characteristics; good demulsibility; good rust and corrosion prevention; and excellent foam resistance and air release properties.
Having maintained equipment in factories for many years, I can say there isn't a fixed number of steam turbine oil models. They vary based on viscosity grade and base oil type. Common viscosity grades include ISO VG 32, 46, 68, and 100, where VG 32 suits small high-speed turbines, while VG 100 offers better durability for heavy-duty equipment. Base oils are categorized into mineral and synthetic types, with synthetic oils like polyalphaolefins providing superior heat resistance. Additive packages address oxidation and foam issues. Selection depends on turbine operating temperature and load—higher loads require higher viscosity to prevent oil film rupture. Regular oil life testing is crucial to avoid unexpected shutdowns. Note that similar principles apply in automotive applications like turbochargers, but never mix oils to prevent machine damage.
In my repair station, the selection of turbine oil depends on specific equipment requirements. The viscosity grades are roughly divided into several categories: thin oils like VG 32 are suitable for small turbines during the startup phase, medium-grade VG 46 offers good versatility, thick oils like VG 68 are used for high-pressure conditions, and VG 100 is specifically designed for large equipment with high-temperature wear. Mineral oils are cheaper but have a shorter lifespan, while synthetic oils last longer and resist breakdown. In a real-world case, a customer mistakenly used VG 32 in a large generator, causing oil temperature to spike and leading to failure. After switching to VG 68, the operation became smooth. This is similar to automotive engine oil—viscosity selection affects performance. It's recommended to refer to the equipment manual or consult a professional rather than experimenting blindly.
