Case Study – Critical Lubricants: Oil Degradation Invisible to Standard Analyses
European Refinery – Turbines & Compressors
Advanced diagnostics (APH membranes / ESR) and Antara solution (AUGEO OIL + TRO Dual system – oil regeneration )
Operator: Large European refinery operating a turbine and two critical process gas compressors.
Issue: ISO code drift from 17/16/15 to 20/17/15, initially misinterpreted as particulate contamination.
Internal analyses: MPC = 8, parameters considered acceptable → initial recommendation for a full oil-system flushing.
Objectives: Identify the real root cause, characterize lubricant degradation by-products, avoid heavy flushing, and leverage a reusable case study for other units.
MPC vs APH membranes: revealing polar degradation products
- MPC = 8 → deemed satisfactory.
- APH membranes (0.8 µm, more polar) → strong retention of degradation products.
- Brown–orange, crystalline & gel-like deposits on the APH membrane.
- Resins and polar compounds underestimated by standard MPC evaluation.
Aminyl radicals & copper complexes
- Aminyl radicals: advanced degradation of amine antioxidants.
- Copper complex detected by ESR but not visible by ICP (ppb-level presence).
- Confirmation of a copper alloy in the circuit, acting as a catalyst for radical reactions.
AUGEO OIL – targeted cleaning
- Solubilization of polar degradation products and resins responsible for deposits.
- Cleaning internal deposits in the turbine and compressors.
- Neutralization of the most reactive degradation species.
This curative phase restores a clean and stable baseline before implementing continuous regeneration with TRO systems.
Continuous regeneration with the TRO Dual system
- Continuous removal of polar degradation products and their precursors.
- Reduction of radicals that accelerate oil oxidation.
- Limitation of catalytic effects from trace copper species.
- Long-term stabilization of the lubricant and its antioxidant package.
The operator shifts from one-off treatments to a proactive oil health management, leveraging the Antara TRO Dual system.
- Significant reduction of resinous and gel-like deposits in the oil system.
- Long-term stabilization of the antioxidant package and lubricant chemistry.
- Improved ISO cleanliness without performing a full flush.
- Longer oil life and reduced consumption.
- Increased availability of critical turbines and compressors.
Benefits for the operator
- Fewer unplanned stops related to lubrication issues.
- Stabilized operational performance on critical equipment.
- Secured operational continuity, independent of supply chain disruptions.
Benefits for maintenance and reliability
- Full flushing avoided (time, budget, and risk savings).
- Reduced corrective interventions on the oil system.
- Team capability upgrade through advanced diagnostics (APH membranes, ESR).
