Can poor clearance cause oil emulsification?
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The blockage of the drain port of the atmospheric and vacuum pump caused the liquid level in the piston rod chamber to rise, with liquid entering the bearing box. During maintenance, the bearing box was wiped clean and the drain port was cleared. The engine oil remains emulsified~ I’ve changed the oil three times, and it stays white and emulsified every time. The possibility of liquid ingress has been ruled out. So I was wondering whether a poor clearance between the bearing and the bearing bush can cause the engine oil to emulsify? Could a clogged crosshead oil groove cause the engine oil to emulsify?
In my opinion, oil emulsification is likely caused by three factors: deterioration (including oil of substandard quality), contamination with other liquids (including exposure to high humidity during storage), and excessive mixing. Please check these three aspects
It is a reciprocating vacuum pump. Does it have an axle-end oil pump and an auxiliary oil pump? Is there a lubricating oil cooler? It is recommended to check whether there are any leaks in the circulation water tube bundle. Has the oil added been tested for water content? What is the level of water in it, and could the new oil contain water as well? Is the oil-scraping ring on the piston rod installed in the wrong direction? Is the gap of the oil-scraping ring too large? Is the cutting edge of the oil-scraping ring worn out? Is the piston rod at the location of the oil-scraping ring worn? Is the oil scrapper box, along with the seal gasket or O-ring in the piston rod chamber that you mentioned, damaged and not sealing properly, which is why water gets into the bearing housing? A large gap between the bearing and the bearing bush does not cause the lubricating oil to emulsify, but it does lead to an increase in the amount of mechanical impurities in the lubricating oil.
Also, a clogged crosshead oil groove will not cause the lubricating oil to emulsify. The shaft head oil pump or auxiliary oil pump delivers lubricating oil to the larger end bearings of the crankshaft, either through oil pipes or via oil holes in the crankshaft shaft center. The oil then continues to flow, under pressure, through the oil holes in the center of the connecting rods, reaching the smaller end bearings of the crosshead as well as the crosshead pins. These components all have oil holes and grooves designed to supply oil for lubrication and cooling purposes. Therefore, blockages do not cause the lubricating oil to emulsify; instead, they lead to a lack of oil in the smaller end bearings, resulting in wear, bearing damage, and even seizure.
What type of vacuum pump? Are there any pictures?
I am also in charge of the atmospheric and vacuum distillation units
Is it a vertical single-barreled reciprocating vacuum pump, used to create a vacuum in the tower?