This document discusses the importance of oil analysis and contamination control for renewable energy systems like wind and solar power. It begins with an introduction on how analysis and filtration are important. Section I discusses case studies of hydro, wind, and solar power facilities that improved reliability and reduced costs by upgrading their oil filtration systems based on oil analysis results. Section II ends with questions about the most important oil analysis parameters and common contaminants. The overall message is that regular oil analysis and clean oil through improved filtration can increase equipment lifespan and lower maintenance costs for renewable energy systems.

1. Making Renewable Energy
GREENER with Oil Analysis and
Contamination Control
I. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
II. Case Studies
III. Questions and Answers

2. Renewable Energy is Important
to C.C.JENSEN
Our Wind Turbine
covers 40 % of our
energy consumption
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration

3. Renewable Energy is Important
for Many Reasons…
it’s Clean, Available, and Provides Security.
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration

4. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
WIND TURBINES – Pushing the Design Envelope
BLADES
120 m
(394 ft)
Extreme pressure
on components
2 million N-m
(1,475,000 lb-ft)

5. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
PITCH
HYDRAULIC
GEARBOX
MAIN BEARING
Extreme pressure
on components
CLEAN OIL
GETS MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT
BLADES
120 m
(394 ft)

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN OIL AND IT’S IMPACT ON
RELIABILITY HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR DECADES
“Replacing 40-25µm filters by units rated at 3µm absolute is to
be recommended for gearboxes. Such action should lead to
improved reliability, longer periods between overhaul, cheaper
overhauls, and consequent reductions in ownership costs.
Times between oil changes, where relevant, should be
substantially increased.”
1979
The Influence of Filtration on Rolling Element Bearing Life
Source:
R. Bhachu, R. Sayles, and P.B. Macpherson
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration

7. Ref: NORIA
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
Did You Know?
The estimated
gearbox failure in
a Wind Turbine is
estimated at
$250,000!

8. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
“Bearings Don’t Fail… They’re Murdered”
Ref: NORIA

9. IMPROVED FILTRATION
IS ABLE TO KEEPTHE OIL CLEAN
AND MAKE IT LAST LONGER
LESS USE
OF FOSSIL OIL
LESS TRANSPORTATION
LESS WASTE OIL
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
Did You Know?
The estimated cost of an
oil change is $5,000 on a
Wind Turbine.

10. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
Every Barrel Counts…
16,000 Wind Turbines
X
100 Gallons
=
29,090 Barrels
Three-Year or Six-Year Oil Service Life – Which is GREENER?

11. OXIDATION
WATER
PARTICLES
Oil Analysis Reduces Maintenance and Downtime!
The Importance of Analysis and Filtration

12. The Importance of Analysis and Filtration
End of Section I
Take Away: No machine has ever failed because
the oil was too clean; What get’s measured
get’s done.
Question: What is the most important
parameter on your oil analysis test slate?

13. Case Study – Hydro Power

14. Case Study – Hydro Power
“We sampled using
the procedure and
the iso(c) code came
back as 13/11/8.
That’s the cleanest
our oil has been in
years!”

15. Case Study – Hydro Power
Used Filter Ideal for Filter
Debris Analysis

16. Case Study – Hydro Power
Filter Debris Analysis

17. Case Study – Wind Power
“The oil at [our project] is the exact opposite of
the [clean] oil, its beyond filthy!! We should
have taken out disaster insurance on it…you
would not believe or want to see what comes
out of one of these when you turn it upside
down. Well, maybe you would. It was the most
disgusting, revolting lumpy stinky slime I’ve ever
seen come from the bowels of the gearbox.”

18. Case Study – Wind Power

19. Case Study – Wind Power
Filter Debris Analysis

20. Case Study – Wind Power

21. Case Study – Wind Power

22. Case Study – Wind Power
PROBLEM
•After 2 years using O.E.M 10-micron in-line
filter – particle count + 500,000 4-micron
particles per/100 ml. ISO 20/18/15
SOLUTION
HDU 15/25 PV2-7-4 1x120V, 60hz incl. air bleed
hose
Filter Insert: BG 15/25, 3 μm absolute filtration
Pump flow: 57 L/h
“Since [upgrading our filtration] our oil analysis has
showed considerable improvement, and our
gearbox has yet to have a single bearing failure,
vibration analysis alarm, or high-heat signature. We
are likely to save major repairs – that may cost over
$900,000”
Date 11/07/2010 01/24/2011 02/25/2011
> 4 micron 591,500 129,200 42,800
> 6 micron 230,000 50,300 16,600
> 14 micron 17,400 3,800 1,200
ISO Code 20/18/15 17/16/12 16/15/11
591500
230000
17400
129200
50300
3800
42800
16600 1200
> 4 micron > 6 micron > 14 micron
11-07-2010 01/24/2011 02/25/2011

23. Case Study – Solar Power

24. Case Study – Solar Power

25. Case Study – Solar Power

26. Case Studies
End of Section II
Take Away: Identify oil problems and take
action to correct; Monitor the oil to ensure
progress is made.
Question: What type of contamination do you
most often see?

27. Q & A
Questions & Answers

28. THANK YOU!
For more information please contact:
Justin Stover
C.C. Jensen, Inc.
justin@ccjensen.com
206-390-5438