I have a high copper issue in a 1400 gallon oil reservoir. The source of the copper has been removed but now I need to remove the copper from the oil. The oil analysis reports 43 ppm, I don’t know how much copper is too much nor do I know the best method for removal. The reservoir supplies lube oil and control oil for a steam turbine, the temperatures are relatively low and the oil is about 20 years old, the system is equipped with a centrifuge, heat exchangers and 10 micron filters, the oil is a lite hydraulic oil.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Clyde D,

Can not think of anything much worse to contaminate a turbine oil system with.Where did the Cu come from?
Cu is a catalyst for the oxidation process as well as the potential for damage from particulates.
Firstly would wish to check the cleanliness of the system, assuming you have historic data for cleanliness.
Reported 43 ppm Cu, presumably by ICP could mean higher levels as ICP only detects particle size ~8 microns or less. Maybe try acid digest and ICP to give true Cu level.
Cosider cost of external fine filtration of old oil and risk compared with flush and refill.

Thanks for your response Rodger
To answer your first question the source of the Cu was a copper backed active side thrust bearing. We were experiencing high temps and the manufacturer recommended we switch to the copper which was purchased from the manufacturer, I have to say it worked beautifully the bearing temps dropped right where they belonged, I was impressed. In about two months we noticed the Cu levels rising so we removed the copper backed bearing and reinstalled the old steel backed bearing, the copper levels stopped rising but now the temp issue is back.
We normally send out a sample once a month for a particle count (>4/>6/>14), the cleanliness code is 19/14/17, wear elements, contaminant elements, additives, oxidation, PQ index, tan, water (vol/%), the oil rating and contaminant rating come back normal but the equipment rating is in alert.
I am looking for the best method to clean this oil up and remove the copper.

Clyde
If you are willing to send us a one gallon sample of your oil, we will process it through our electrostatic oil conditioner to determine if the copper level can be reduced and if so how much.