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GEK 117005
January 2012

GE Energy

Lube Oil System

9FA - DLN 2.6+ Configuration

These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment nor to provide for every possible contingency to
be met in connection with installation, operation or maintenance. Should further information be desired or should particular
problems arise which are not covered sufficiently for the purchaser's purposes the matter should be referred to General Electric
Company. These instructions contain proprietary information of General Electric Company, and are furnished to its customer solely
to assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation, and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall
not be reproduced in whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of General
Electric Company.
2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

GEK 117005

Lube Oil System

The following notices will be found throughout this publication. It is important that the
significance of each is thoroughly understood by those using this document. The definitions are
as follows:
NOTE
Highlights an essential element of a procedure to assure correctness.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury or equipment damage.

WARNING
INDICATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, WHICH, IF
NOT AVOIDED, COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY

***DANGER***
INDICATES AN IMMINENTLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION,
WHICH, IF NOT AVOIDED WILL RESULT IN DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY.

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Lube Oil System

GEK 117005

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
II.

III.

GENERAL .................................................................................................................................................. 4
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 5
A. Lubricant Reservoir and Piping ............................................................................................................. 5
B. Standby Immersion Heaters................................................................................................................... 6
C. Pressure Protection Devices................................................................................................................... 6
D. Heat Exchanger and Filters.................................................................................................................... 7
E. Seal Oil .................................................................................................................................................. 7
OPTIONAL DEVICES .............................................................................................................................. 8
A. Pressure Transmitters............................................................................................................................. 8
B. Lube Oil Conditioner ............................................................................................................................. 8

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

GEK 117005

Lube Oil System

I. GENERAL
The lubricating and hydraulic oil requirements for the 9FA (DLN2.6+) gas turbine power plant are
furnished by a separate, enclosed, forced-feed lubrication module. This lubrication module, complete
with tank, pumps, coolers, filters, valves and various control and protection devices, furnishes oil to the
gas turbine bearings, generator bearings (absorbing the heat rejection load), starting means, load gear and
on dual fuel units the atomizing air/purge compressors. This module is also used to supply oil for the lift
oil system and the hydrogen seals on the generator. Additionally, a portion of the pressurized fluid is
diverted and filtered again for use by hydraulic control devices as control fluid.
Refer to Lubricating Oil Recommendations for Gas Turbines with Bearing Ambients above 500F
(260C) in the FLUID SPECIFICATIONS section of this manual for the lubricating oil requirements.
The lubrication system is designed to supply filtered lubricant at the proper temperature and pressure for
operation of the turbine and its associated equipment. Refer to the Lube Oil Schematic Piping Diagram in
this section. Major system components include:
1.

Lubricant oil reservoir which serves as a base for the accessory module.

2.

Two centrifugal pumps (PQ1-1 and PQ1-2) each driven by an AC electrical motor (88QA-1 and
88QA-2). Each AC motor includes a motor space heater (23QA-1 and -2) to prevent condensation in
the motor.

3.

Emergency oil pump (PQ2-1) with DC motor (88QE-1).

4.

Main Seal oil pump (PQ3-1) driven by AC motor (88QS-1). AC motor includes motor space heater
(23QS-1).

5.

Emergency seal oil pump (PQ3-2) driven by DC motor (88ES-1).

6.

Dual, parallel lubricating oil heat exchangers (LOHX-1 and LOHX-2).

7.

Dual, parallel full flow lubricating oil filters (LF3-1 and LF3-2).

8.

Bearing header pressure regulator (VPR2-1).

9.

Mist eliminator (LF3-3) with redundant fan/motor (88QV-1A and 88QV-1B) and motor space
heaters (23QV-2A and 23QV-2B).

10. Pressure Protection Switches (63QA-1A, 63QA-1B, 63QE-1, 63QT-2A and 63QT-2B). On Dual
fuel units with single atomizing air compressor, pressure switch (63QA-3) is provided. On Dual fuel
units with dual atomizing air compressors, two pressure switches (63QA-3 & 63QA-4) are provided.
11. Tank temperature thermocouples (LT-OT-3, LT-OT-4) for pump start permissive and immersion
heater control.
12. Lube oil header thermocouples (LT-TH-1, 2, 3).
13. Lube oil drain thermocouples (LT-B1D-1, LT-B2D-1, LT-G1D-A/B and LT-G2D-A/B). Note,
A/B indicates dual element thermocouples.

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Lube Oil System

GEK 117005

The lube oil is circulated by a redundant set of AC pumps. A DC pump is provided in the event that AC
power to the site is interrupted. These pumps are the first of the auxiliary equipment to be energized
during a startup sequence. Following shutdown of the unit, these pumps continue to run throughout the
extensive cooldown period and are the last of the auxiliary equipment to be stopped. The lube oil system
is self-contained. After lubricating and removing heat from the rotating equipment, oil is returned to the
lube oil tank and is cooled by oil-to-water heat exchangers as it is pumped from the tank for recirculation.
Various sensing devices are included in the design to ensure adequate oil level in the tank, oil pressure,
and oil temperature.
Oil tank temperature is indicated by a thermometer on the side of the tank. Thermocouples LT-TH-1,
LT-TH- 2 and LT-TH-3 connected to the control panel indicate lube oil temperature in the bearing
header. Thermocouples in the bearing drains are also wired to the turbine control panel for monitoring. A
bearing header oil sampling port is located upstream of VPR2-1.
For turbine starting, a maximum oil viscosity of 800 SUS (173 centistokes) is specified for reliable
operation of the control system and for bearing lubrication. Thermocouples LT-OT-3 and LT-OT-4
prevent turbine startup if the temperature of the lubricant decreases to a point where oil viscosity exceeds
800 SUS (173 centistokes).
II. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
A. Lubricant Reservoir and Piping
The oil reservoir is a 7210 gallon (27293 liters) tank which is integral with the module. The interior
of the tank is coated with an oil resistant protective coating. The top of the tank is the base on which
components such as the pumps and heat exchangers are mounted.
Under normal operating conditions, oil is provided to the system by one of two main AC motor
driven centrifugal pumps (PQ1-1 and PQ1-2). The selection of lead and lag pumps is made by the
operator through the turbine control system prior to startup. By alternating the lead/lag pump
selection, the operating hours can be equalized. Each AC motor includes a motor space heater
(23QA-1 and -2, respectively) to prevent condensation in the motor. All pumps have a check valve on
the discharge line so that oil does not flow into the tank through a pump, which is not in service. Two
pressure switches (63QA- 1A and -1B) are mounted in the common header just downstream of the
main pumps to ensure proper pump operation. If either of these senses low pressure, an alarm is
sounded and the lag pump is automatically started. If this occurs, the operator must manually shut off
one pump and confirm that system pressure is stable.
The oil is first pumped through one of the two parallel heat exchangers (LOHX-1 and LOHX-2; note
that only one heat exchanger is in operation at any given time). Each is designed to maintain the oil at
the proper bearing header temperature. The maximum allowable bearing header temperature under
normal operating conditions is 160F (71.1C). The oil then flows through one of the two full flow
parallel filters (LF3-1 and LF3-2; note that only one filter is in operation at any given time). A threeway transfer valve controls selection of which set of heat exchanger/filter is in use. The lubricant oil
filters have removable filter elements. A differential pressure gauge provides visual indication of the
dP over the filter. Pressure switches (63QQ-21, -22) provide a high differential pressure alarm signal
across each filter. Filter elements should be replaced at or near the alarm set point of 15 psid.
Taps (OL-11 and OH-1), which are located downstream of the filters, supply lube oil to the generator
bearing seals and hydraulic/lift oil system. Pressure regulating valve (VPR2-1) then controls the oil
pressure to the turbine and generator bearings and the turning gear.

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

GEK 117005

Lube Oil System

The system is ventilated through a mist eliminator mounted on top of the lube oil reservoir. A slight
negative pressure is maintained in the system by redundant motor driven fans (88QV-1A; FB1-1 and
88QV- 1B; FB2-1) pulling air through the mist eliminator. This negative pressure draws sealing air
through the gas turbine bearing seals. Each AC motor on the mist eliminator includes a motor space
heater (23QV-2A and 23QV-2B) to prevent condensation in the motor. The motor-driven mist
eliminator fans have no DC backup motors and are not required to run in the emergency situation
when the DC pumps are running. The fans are set up to run in a lead/lag configuration and are
designed such that each fan can individually sustain full system capacity (100% x 1). The selection of
lead and lag fans is made by the operator through the turbine control system prior to startup. The lag
fan also starts when the lead fan has failed to run, has been overloaded, or if there is insufficient
vacuum in the lube oil reservoir. Pressure switch (63QV-1) provides a low differential pressure alarm
signal when there is insufficient vacuum in the lube oil reservoir. If the lag fan is started
automatically by the control system due to insufficient tank vacuum level, the lead fan will be
automatically shut off. A regulating valve is downstream of each fan, and is adjusted to regulate tank
vacuum level.
A level alarm device (float operated) is mounted on the top or side of the lube reservoir. The float
mechanism operates level switches (71QH-1, 71QL-1 and 71QL-2). The switches are connected into
the alarm circuit of the turbine control panel to initiate an alarm if the liquid level rises above, or falls
below the levels shown on the Schematic Piping Diagram. The oil level is visually indicated by a
gauge (QH-1) mounted on the top or side of the tank. An oil drain connection is located on the side of
the accessory module to drain the reservoir.
B. Standby Immersion Heaters
During standby periods, the oil is maintained at a viscosity proper for turbine start-up by immersion
heaters (23QT-1, -2- 3 & -4) installed in the oil reservoir. Thermocouples LT-OT-3 and LT-OT-4
control the heaters and maintain fluid temperature to achieve allowable viscosity. If the heaters fail to
function and the oil reservoir temperature drops below the point where oil viscosity exceeds 800
SUS, thermocouples LT-OT-3 and LT-OT-4 will initiate a low oil temperature alarm and will prevent
a turbine startup. While running, lube oil header thermocouples (LT-TH-1, 2, 3) constantly monitor
the header oil temperature. These thermocouples are hardware voted to the median temperature and
are wired back to the control panel, and compared to alarm and trip settings. Thermocouples
LT-OT- 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are provided for the immersion heaters (23QT-1, -2, -3 and -4). These
thermocouples monitor heater temperature and provide a signal to de-energize the heater when
required.
C. Pressure Protection Devices
Two pressure switches (63QA-1A and -1B) mounted on the main pump discharge header sense lube
oil pressure. If either of these senses low lubricant oil pressure, an alarm is sounded and the lag pump
is automatically started. Pressure switches, 63QT-2A and -2B, in combination with alarm switches,
63QA-1A and 63QA-1B, trip the unit and start the emergency DC motor-driven pump (88QE-1)
when they sense low pressure. This will occur if AC power is lost. For a trip, one of the two 63QT
switches and one of the two 63QA switches must signal. This voting logic prevents a trip due to a
false signal. The DC Emergency Pump is designed to provide adequate lube oil circulation for coast
down following a trip. Once the unit is at rest, the DC pump should only operate a few minutes per
hour, in order to remove heat and conserve battery life. If the bearing metal temperature is above
250F, the DC pump runs continuously. The emergency pump is sized to clear the trip pressure
switches (63QT-2A, - 2B), but it will not clear the alarm pressure level (63QA-1A, -1B). On dual fuel
units with a single atomizing air compressor, a pressure switch (63QA-3) is provided at the oil supply
to the air compressor gearbox. Two pressure switches (63QA-3 and 4) are provided on dual fuel units

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Lube Oil System

GEK 117005

with two atomizing air compressors. These pressure switches will alarm if low pressure is sensed at
those points but they will not start the lag pump.
The operation of the 63QA and 63QT switches can be verified by shutting off the normally open
valve between the switch and the oil system. When the normally closed valve to the oil drain is
opened, the oil in the switch lines will drain, the proper warning signal should annunciate and proper
lag/emergency pump start-up should occur.
D. Heat Exchanger and Filters
The lubricant oil heat exchangers (LOHX-1 and LOHX-2) connect to the parallel lubricant filters
(LF3-1 and LF3-2). This design is provided so that filters not in service can be changed (or heat
exchangers cleaned) without taking the turbine out of service.
Filter housings and heat exchangers are self-venting. A sight glass is located in the vent line from the
filter and heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger and filter housing are full, oil will be visible in
this sight glass.
By means of the manually-operated three-way transfer valve, one filter can be put into service as the
second is taken out without interrupting the oil flow to the main lube oil header. The transfer of
operation from one filter to the other should be accomplished as follows:
1. Open the filler valve and fill the standby filter until a solid oil flow can be seen in the flow sight
in the filter vent pipe. This will indicate a filled condition.
2. Operate the transfer valve to bring the standby filter into service.
3. Close the filler valve.
This procedure simultaneously brings the reserve heat exchanger into service.
NOTE
Only one heat exchanger is intended to be in service at one time. After transfer, the
operator must verify that the cooling water isolation butterfly valves to/from the
heat exchanger not in service are closed. Do not leave all four cooling water
isolation valves open.
E. Seal Oil
The seal oil to the generator bearings is normally supplied by the lubricating system through a
separate line (tap OL-11) directly to the generator. In the event of low lube system pressure or lube
system shutdown for service, one of two seal oil pumps supply the oil required to seal in the
generator hydrogen. Under normal circumstances, the AC motor driven pump (PQ3-1, 88QS-1)
would serve this function; however, if this AC motor should fail or if AC power is lost, the
emergency DC motor (88ES-1) is activated and drives the seal oil pump (PQ3-2). The AC motor
(88QS-1) includes a heater (23QS-1) to prevent condensation in the motor.
The AC seal oil pump (PQ3-1) circulates oil through filter (LF3-5). Differential pressure switch
(63QQ- 25) provides a high differential pressure alarm signal across the filter. The filter element
should be replaced near or at the alarm set point.

2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

GEK 117005

Lube Oil System

III. OPTIONAL DEVICES

A. Pressure Transmitters
The lubrication module may include the following additional Pressure transmitters (indication-only),
when selected by a customer as an option:
1. Differential pressure transmitters 96QQ-1 and 96QQ-2, which provide remote monitoring
capability of differential pressure across the oil filters (LF3-1 and LF3-2).
2. Pressure transmitter 96QH-1, which provides remote monitoring capability of bearing header
pressure.
3. Pressure transmitter 96QL-1, which provides remote monitoring capability of tank oil level.
These transmitters are indication-only devices. They do not alarm or trip the machine in case of a
failure, low pressure, level, etc.
B. Lube Oil Conditioner
The Lube Oil System may also include a Lube Oil Conditioner when selected by the purchaser as an
option. The Lube Oil Conditioner is a stand-alone, kidney-loop Lube Oil Conditioning skid designed
specifically to remove particulate contamination (from 0.2 to 2 microns in size). Particulate
contamination in this size range is the precursor to varnish formation and accumulation. The
implementation of a Lube Oil Conditioner, together with monitoring and maintenance of the
Lubricating Oil additive package, will help prevent the formation and accumulation of varnish and
therefore varnish-related turbine trips (due to sticking hydraulic servo valves, etc.). The Lube Oil
Conditioning skid is a stand-alone, customer-located skid with all functions manually controlled.
There is no interface to the Mark * VI control system.

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2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Lube Oil System

GEK 117005

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without prior permission of the copyright owner.

GEK 117005

Lube Oil System

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General Electric Company
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2012 General Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed in whole or in part,
without prior permission of the copyright owner.