Skip to main content

Read our primer articles on Oil Analysis and Tribology

Closed4 replies

PODS Laser Particle Counter

H halMember
Just a heads up to anyone using a PODS Laser Particle Counter. The program supplied with the purchase of the PODS unit will not work properly with Windows 7. Recently upgraded from XP to 7 and found that the program will load up but will not recognise the unit for buffer download. Went back and forth with Tech Support and was told that the program is just a "courtesy software" and no plans have been made to upgrade to make it Windows 7 compatible. If you need the program to download and save the buffer how can they call it "courtesy software"? Seems like bad news for a nice instrument.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

T tomaMember
we have a problem with one of our steam turbine lube oil. When at normal temp. (40-45) it is giving high particle count when using PODS laser particle counter. But after heating the oil to around 100°C and cooling it is giving very low quantity particles. It looks cloudy and the water content by KF shows around 200 ppm. Anyone know about the reason for the change in particle nos.?
H halMember
It sounds like you have answered your own question here, with the KF number and visual oil condition. You probably have a condensation issue. Check the turbine rotor gland seal system for excessive sealing steam pressure or damaged labrynth seals.
Your PODS is picking up the free water particles in your sample. Heating the oil above the boiling point allows the majority of the moisture to "cook off" out of the oil. That is why you get an acceptable particle count after the heating process. Hope this helps.
Post
attend Reliable Plant 2024

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×