Sudden decrease in lubricating oil viscosity of the new hydrogen compressor
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The viscosity of the lubricant for the new hydrogen compressor has suddenly decreased. The lubricant used is 150#, and it was replaced not long ago. No leaks were found in the sealing chamber upon inspection – so what could be causing the leakage? The analysis station only indicated that the viscosity is too low. Can anyone help analyze what might be the cause?
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to deformation under shear stress. It is usually referred to as \"the thickness of resistance\", or resistance itself. Viscosity indicates whether the engine oil is thin or thick. Thicker oils have poorer fluidity, which results in significant energy loss as a result of overcoming the internal resistance within the lubricant; however, they are able to form a thicker lubricating film on the surfaces of machine components, making them suitable for use at high temperatures and under heavy loads. Conversely, thinner oil forms a thinner oil film, but it has better fluidity and lower resistance, making it suitable for use at low temperatures and under light loads. Generally, for every 20-degree increase in temperature, the viscosity of engine oil is reduced by half.
It must be some other liquid that has entered the lubricant, which is causing a decrease in its viscosity; water is the most likely candidate.
If the oil temperature does not rise significantly, there must be a problem with the oil. Analyze and evaluate the thinned lubricating oil as soon as possible to identify the cause. There are strict requirements regarding the viscosity of lubricating oil. If it is too thin, its ability to adhere to the machine components decreases, leading to insufficient lubrication of some components and excessive friction, which can cause serious damage to the machinery. The main reason for thinning is the presence of light components in the lubricating oil; in principle, after performing vacuum distillation on the thinned oil to remove these light components, the lubricating oil should be able to function again.
Under normal circumstances, it is indeed the temperature that causes this issue, but our compressor is equipped with temperature alarms and interlocks; if the temperature becomes too high, an alarm will sound. Since no alarm went off in this case, it indicates that there is no problem with the temperature. I’m also very puzzled by this question.
Do you mean that the seal or gasket has leaked, allowing cooling water to enter the tank?
Do you mean that the seal or gasket has leaked, allowing cooling water to enter the tank?
Contamination by moisture or gas in the collection tube.
By measuring the degree of emulsification of the lubricating oil, it is possible to determine whether water has mixed in.
If only the viscosity has decreased and no excess moisture or contaminants were detected, it is likely due to a leak in the gas seal. I’m not sure whether the new hydrogen you have comes from hydrogen production or reforming; if it comes from reforming, the likelihood of a gas seal leak is higher. Is there nitrogen in the compressor’s isolation chamber?
A low nitrogen pressure in the isolation chamber allows hydrogen to enter the lubricating oil tank; moreover, a high cooling temperature of the oil in the lubricating oil tank can also lead to a decrease in oil viscosity.