Title of Invention

A DEVICE FOR OIL CONSERVATION IN A LUBE OIL VENTILATION SYSTEM ADAPTABLE TO GAS TURBINES

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for oil conservation in lube oil ventilation system uses which is provided with a finned cooler in a water jacket for cooling the lube oil mist being sucked by mist eliminator and condenses the lube oil vapor to form droplets and these droplets fall back in to the lube oil tank. It also reduces the burden on mist eliminator to handle large volumes of lube oil vapor. This invention can be used in lube oil vent system of Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines, Axial and Centrifugal compressors applications.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a device for lube oil conservation in lube oil ventilation system for Gas turbine application. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Large high speed rotation equipment like Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines, Axial and Centrifugal compressors, requires a large volume of oil for lubrication, cooling, and sealing of the bearings. The lubricating oil can be either mineral based or synthetic. During the operation, the bearings become very hot and the bearing surfaces that the oil comes in contact with are rotating at high speeds. The high temperature and shearing action generates a large volume of very fine oil mist and a considerable amount of vapor. When this oil mist and oil vapor is vented from the lube oil tank, it causes a visible plume at the outlet. This oil plume falls under the purview of the stringent environmental laws and regulations at all government levels throughout the world. Lube Oil Systems: A Typical Lube Oil System consists of i) Lube Oil Tank ii) Lube Oil Pumps iii) Lube Oil Filters 2 iv) Lube oil feed lines from the tank to the bearings v) Lube oil return lines from the bearings to the tank The basic operation of a lube oil system is similar for all designs. Lubricating oil (mineral or synthetic) is pumped to the bearings to lubricate and cool the metal to metal surface contacts. The high speed shearing and heat that occurs at the metal to metal contact causes droplet formation and vaporization of some of the oil. Therefore the return lines to the lube oil tank contain not only hot oil but also mist and vapor. Once back in the tank, most of the larger droplets fall out; however the tank must be vented or open to atmosphere. This is accomplished by connecting the suction side of a blower to the top of the tank, thus creating a slight vacuum in the tank as compared to atmosphere. In this case much of the generated oil mist and vapor will escape through the vent of the tank, resulting in financial loss, damage to the environment, and a safety hazard. The Gas turbine lubricating system vents through a mist eliminator. This vessel contains of one or more coalescing filter elements used to remove oil from the air. The blower also maintains a slight negative pressure in the tank. During the maintenance / breakdown period of mist eliminator, the oil mist is allowed to directly discharge to the atmosphere. This oil mist forms a visible plume at the out let of the mist eliminator, thus causing environment pollution and loss of lube oil. 3 OBJECT JOF INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a device for lube oil conservation in the lube oil ventilation system of a gas turbine system which reduces the load on mist eliminator blower. Another object of the invention is to propose a device for lube oil conservation in the lube oil ventilation system of a gas turbine system which provides improved economy in recovery of wastable lube oil. A further object of the invention is to propose a device for lube oil conservation in the lube oil ventilation system of a gas turbine system which increases the life of the coalescing filters provided in the lubricating system. A still further object of the invention is to propose a device for lube oil conservation in the lube oil ventilation system of a gas turbine system which reduces the possible environmental pollution generated by the oil plume. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: 1. Figure 01 is a block diagram of a device according to invention. 2. Figure 02 is the schematic diagram of a typical lube oil vent system. 3. Figure 03 is the schematic diagram of a device disposed in plurality within the lube oil vent system according to the present invention. 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Figure 01 shows a device of the invention which is basically an heat exchanger. At least one pipe (1) is provided with a plurality of fins (2) and these fins (2) get cooled with water circulated in a jacket (3) provided around the fins (2). The heat exchanger has an water inlet (7), an water outlet (8), and a drain plug (9). The characterizing feature of the device resides in the fins (2) that the oil mist gets condensed while passing through the device (c). A number of device (c) can be installed in the suction line (5) of a mist eliminator (4). The water jackets (3) are connected to the water supply and return lines (10,11). Mist being sucked from a lube oil tank (6) which get cooled the mist eliminator (4) and most of the vapor will get condensed, and the recovered oil can directly return to the tank (6), minimizing oil loss and environmental damage. Figure 02 is the schematic diagram of the standard lube oil vent system. To assist the mist eliminator (4) during the maintenance or breakdown period and to improve the performance of the mist eliminator (4), the device (c) can be employed in the Lube oil venting systems (Lovs). Figure 03 is a schematic for installation of multiple device (c) in the piping depending on the temperature of the lube oil vapor and the cooling media. This also reduces the capacity of the blower and loads on the coalescing pads of the mist eliminator. 5 WE CLAIM 1. A device for oil conservation in a lube oil ventilation system adaptable in particular to gas turbines, the tube oil ventilation system accommodating the device and comprising at least one lube oil tank, a mist eliminator blower connected to the tank-upper via its suction side, a lube oil feed line, and a lube oil return line, the device comprising: - at least one tube provided with a plurality of fins to form a heat exchanger; - one each water inlet, water outlet, and drain plug provided to the at least one tube; and - a plurality of water jackets disposed around the fins and being connected to the lube oil feed line, and the lube oil return lines. 2. A device for oil conservation in a lube oil ventilation system adaptable in particular to gas turbines as substantially described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention relates to a device for oil conservation in lube oil ventilation system uses which is provided with a finned cooler in a water jacket for cooling the lube oil mist being sucked by mist eliminator and condenses the lube oil vapor to form droplets and these droplets fall back in to the lube oil tank. It also reduces the burden on mist eliminator to handle large volumes of lube oil vapor. This invention can be used in lube oil vent system of Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines, Axial and Centrifugal compressors applications.

Documents:

00063-kol-2008-abstract.pdf

00063-kol-2008-claims.pdf

00063-kol-2008-correspondence others.pdf

00063-kol-2008-description complete.pdf

00063-kol-2008-drawings.pdf

00063-kol-2008-form 1.pdf

00063-kol-2008-form 2.pdf

00063-kol-2008-form 3.pdf

00063-kol-2008-gpa.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-DRAWINGS.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(19-08-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(26-05-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(26-05-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

63-KOL-2008-(26-05-2014)-DRAWINGS.pdf

63-kol-2008-form 18.pdf

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