TEO for Aero-derivative Gas Turbines (ADGT)

Industrial gas turbines (IGT) have a wide array of applications across the globe, keeping key infrastructure such as hospitals, airports and industrial plants running 24/7. As technology has developed, more focus has been placed on aero derivative gas turbines (ADGT) to provide this power, and these machines are now commonplace in many industrial applications.

What is an aero derivative gas turbine?

The main purpose of the fan in a turbine engine is to provide thrust for the aircraft. However, if you remove the fan and replace it with a generator, the turbine element of the engine can produce electricity.

Compared to conventional industrial gas turbines, ADGT’s offer the following benefits:

Compact design – allowing for quick installation in remote sites;
Reliability – aircraft engines clock hours of use in on-wing applications;
Flexibility – quick power up processes mean they are ideal for backup generators in critical infrastructure such as hospitals and factories.

What do I need to consider when selecting an oil for my aero derivative gas turbine?

Similar to their airborne cousins, ADGTs require specialist aero-engine oils. This is due to the high temperatures these engines operate at, and oils unable to cope with these temperatures will coke, leading to blockages and eventually high maintenance costs.

Approvals

The first thing to note is that you should always refer to your engine maintenance manual before selecting an oil. Each oil manufacturer, and each specific oil, carry different approvals with engine manufacturers.

The majority of these oils also carry global approvals from aerospace and aviation bodies including:

MIL-PRF-23699 Grade STD – standard grade US military specification for aircraft turbine engine oils;
MIL-PRF-23699 Grade HTS – high thermal stability version of the MIL-PRF-23699 specification family;
SAE AS5780 Grade SPC – standard performance specification implemented by the Society of Automotive Engineers;
SAE AS5780 Grade HPC – high performance version of the SAE AS5780 specification family.

If you are unsure, feel free to contact us.

Turbine Oil Properties

Each engine oil exhibits different characteristics in a range of key areas including coke formulation, oxidation and elastomer compatibility. While high thermal stability (HTS) oils resist coke formulation, they often have poor elastomer seal compatibility compared to standard (STD) oils. This incompatibility can lead to seal degradation and oil loss, making your engine less efficient over time.