Lube oil piping material 1

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, in the design of a hydropower plant for the piping materials of Governor and bearings lubricating oil, circuit breaker and Transformer oil, Transformer oil transfer system pipe, it is specified to use seamless Copper tubing, type K, ASTM B88.

For the same purpose, a second source indicates to use stainless steel.
A third source indicates to use seamless Black steel, ASTM A53.

I can understand the existence of that differences in the specifications if the use of the tube were destined for raw cooling water, drainage or other use but, being for the same fluid, lube oil, really confuses me.

Is there any comment?


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[weldstan]

In general for CTG and STG and large pumps, lube oil from the filter to the machine is stainless with carbons steel used from the machine back to the filter.

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Thanks weldstan for your comment.

El que no puede andar, se sienta.

 

[racookpe1978]

Copper (seamless or not) makes no sense at all. The pressurized oil in the big power plants uses double pipes oil to the bearings (the smaller high pressure supply oil pipe to the bearings runs inside the 24 inch dia vented oil return pipe draining back to the sump). All are steel.

 

[Duwe6]

i'd use SA-106 Gr. B c/s buttwelded GTAW 'tig' for 3/4"NPS & larger; seamless tubing 0.035" with swagelok fittings for the little stuff. K-copper may just barely work, but we have got better stuff available -- sounds like a a1950's spec.

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Thanks racookpe1978 and Duwe6 for your comments.

The document I am talking about is the CECW-EE Engineer Manual 1110-2-4205 "Hydroelectric Power Plants Mechanical Design", 30 June 1995, by U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. This manual supersedes EM 1110-2-4205, dated 30 June 1980.

I have tried to get in contact with the USACE in order to get to know if today, a new revised edition of the manual has been released. I have had no success.

El que no puede andar, se sienta.

 

[Hoxton]

One consideration is capital vs lifetime maintenance

Stainless has (generally) higher initial supply cost, but does not have to be pickled or painted. Generally maintenance free.

Carbon steel may have lower first cost but (for lube service) needs pickling and painting, and repainting during life, especially if outdoors.

So specifying either may be acceptable

Whatever, do not use galvanised pipe - it reacts with lube oil and diesel fuel.

Copper seems to have gone out of fashion.

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

With the help of your comments I think I have a clear picture to make a correct specification of this pipeline.

Only by way of additional information, searching in my virtual library, I have found the document: “Advanced Materials Selection Guide for Lock, Dam, and Hydroelectric Plant Components” by Ashok Kumar, L. D. Stephenson and Paul Willis. January 2002. This report was authorized by Headquarters, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, as part of the High- Performance Materials and Systems Research Program.

If you are interested, the document has the identification: ERDC/CERL TR-02-7 (TR HPMS-02-1) January 2002.

Here again, on page 45 appears specified Copper pipe, type K ……


El que no puede andar, se sienta.

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Here is the link:

http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/search/asset/1002414

El que no puede andar, se sienta.

 

[borobam182]

Lube oil systems that I have designed in the past have been constructed using stainless steel pipework. I have never seen copper used in new designs for these systems.