Reciprocating Compressor

[shaaf]

Hi

what can be cause of discoloration oil in Reciprocating Compressor?
awaiting your kind input.
Thanks

[frank]

Contaminants or high heat. Running the system with continued high head pressure.

[josef]

Water as far as ammonia plants are concerned.

Josef.

[RANGER1]

Air in system, oxidation.
Oil separator oil returning contaminated oil from coating on pipes.
Oil type from the past could be poor quality.

[shaaf]

i joined newly this plant. plant type Ammonia V1400 Grasoo earlier they were using Petro Canda oil. after on cost saving they shift to Mobil Arctic 300. since long time did not major overhauling or maintenance of compressors.

[cricri]

Hi Shaaf,
Petro canada oil( Reflo 68??) is from hydrotreated familly witch are strongly recommended by Grasso.
Artic oil 300 is basic mineral oil subject to cokefaction at high temperature. also accepted by Grasso.
your V1400 is probably without oil cooler, and if you are operating close to its limits; discharge temp can be very high.
This is if the oil tend to be brown,
if it's grey it's an other story...

[shaaf]

oil is like coke

[cricri]

So what are the operating conditions so that I could check them?
Is it a package or an industrial plant? how many running hours?
suction and discharge pressure?
suction superheat?
operated with VSD? if yes, max and min speed?
minimum capacity step used ?
oil separator or not? any oil analysis?

is there a GMM (Grasso Maintenance Monitor) at the left side of the oil pump?
if yes do you have access to check the operating conditions.

Artic oil 300 is much more sensible to high discharge temperature and water contamination in refrigerant

The switch to Artic 300 is a bad choice for stability