RULER analysis

Mr. Billman,

The RULER is an excellent tool for assessing the health of a turbine oil. It is critical however to get a sample of new product when the system is filled to act as a baseline. The data becomes less valuable when more than one formulation of product is mixed together in the system.

The RULER has excellent correlation with RPVOT and HPDSC results and is much less expensive to run. There is no correlation between the level of phenolic and aminic antioxidants and contaminant levels from patch tests. Occasionally, some degradation by-products will produce a peak on voltammetry analysis which could indicate a turbine oil’s varnish potential. This requires significant experience in interpretation and has not been well researched. I would suggest that you contact Fluitec for additional information: j.ameye@fluitec.com If you are interested in performing research in this area, please let me know as I would like to participate.

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Originally posted by Greg Livingstone:
Mr. Billman,

The RULER is an excellent tool for assessing the health of a turbine oil. It is critical however to get a sample of new product when the system is filled to act as a baseline. The data becomes less valuable when more than one formulation of product is mixed together in the system.

The RULER has excellent correlation with RPVOT and HPDSC results and is much less expensive to run. There is no correlation between the level of phenolic and aminic antioxidants and contaminant levels from patch tests. Occasionally, some degradation by-products will produce a peak on voltammetry analysis which could indicate a turbine oil’s varnish potential. This requires significant experience in interpretation and has not been well researched. I would suggest that you contact Fluitec for additional information: j.ameye@fluitec.com) If you are interested in performing research in this area, please let me know as I would like to participate.

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Thanks Mr. Greg, This information is very valuable input, personally to me as I am involved in dealing vaious type of power plant customers (Gas, Hydro and Steam turbines). I will contact Fluitec to know more about RULER.
Kumar E mail kumartr2@yahoo.com

Have been using RULER since 2001. Very effective tool after steep learning curve. It is very difficult to co-relate varnish or contamination with RULER. This method gives a conservative indication of anti-oxidant depletion. We have seen 1 to 2 years of service left in oil before AN rises or RPVOT reaches warning limit for mild or normal operating condition. If operating condition is more severe stick with 25% as condemning limit and track AN more often.

We use Ruler and are quite pleased with it. In addition to Turbine oils, we use it on combustion engine oils (Blue Solution). Here in Thailand the government is promoting Compressed Natural Gas as basic fuel, and much research is going on about gaseous and dual fuel engines. As an oil lab,we get called upon for the oil samples work of the combustion studies. The traditional TAN and TBN approach just can not compare to Ruler. With Ruler we get a consistently progressive decrease in additive concentration as the additives are used up, and as the kilometers are accumulated. The TAN/TBN results of the same samples show trends of straight lines, with virtually no slope in the data. We also find the Ruler correlates well with the FTIR spectra of these samples.

andy.sitton@focuslab.co.th

Greg and Andy
The general consensus is that the RULER seems to be the most accurate instrument for measuring antioxidant depletion, what about varnish potential? if you had to pick one test method that can produce results accurately and consistently which one would it be?
QSA, Colorimetric, Ultra centrifuge, FTIR, Gravimetric, etc
Frank

If I could only choose one test, it would be the gravimetric patch, which is sort of the general basis for many spin offs; QSA, colormetric, our own VPI test and many other uses. It is field capable and/or can used in the lab.

Gravimetric can give you, but is not necessarily limited to, residue weight, colorimetric measurments of many types and sensitivites, visual examination of the debris for sludge or varnsih agglomerations. And don't forget you can look for wear particles, dirt, fibers etc. Is is a good all around test, with its' peculiar drawbacks, as all tests have.

But as stated above, if I had to set up a testing program and could only use one test, it would be a gravimetric patch....only my opinion, of course...hope one gets offended with this one.....

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Originally posted by macabf:
Greg and Andy
The general consensus is that the RULER seems to be the most accurate instrument for measuring antioxidant depletion, what about varnish potential? if you had to pick one test method that can produce results accurately and consistently which one would it be?
QSA, Colorimetric, Ultra centrifuge, FTIR, Gravimetric, etc
Frank

Cleanliness by ISO 4406/99. It will alert you when is necessary to do some serious cleaning of the oil, help you select the most efficient filtration system that would address spectrum of present contaminants sizes, thus preventing formation of sludge, so you don’t have to look at the sludge on your patch and get bold from scratching you head, thinking, how in a hell this sludge got develop in your oil.