Calling in a contractor who uses a chemical cleaning method will not help if the problem is caused by a fluid velocity that is too low to entrain the metal particles. Metal particles, for example, tend to get trapped at the bottom of vessels, in check valves, and behind baffles. Just circulating oil is usually inadequate.
Cleaning lube oil lines sometimes involves a variety of methods depending on the situation. Most of these problems could have been avoided if an engineer would have taken time to follow-up on the job rather than to leave these seemingly mundane tasks to untrained personnel. Small metal shavings or weld slag left over from piping fabrication can cause considerable damage when caught between rotating and stationary parts. Yet these lines feed gas that must flow through restricted passages or through labyrinth seals. Buffer gas supply lines and balance lines are often ignored. Shortcuts are then taken when the project schedule is jeopardized.
WESTINGHOUSE J34 OIL SCAVENGE PUMP FULL
WESTINGHOUSE J34 OIL SCAVENGE PUMP FREE
Targets are not installed, flow rates are inadequate, and flow meter orifices left in the line are damaged yet no one is certain that the lines are really free of damaging debris. As a result, the lines are blown for long periods or until the noise cannot be tolerated any longer.