This paper was published in Lubrication Excellence 2006 and examines how to establish a Root Cause Analysis of Fluid Degradation. Several key tests are highlighted, in addition to many specialized tests to uncover specific root causes.

Originally published in "Practicing Oil Analysis" in July, 2005, this paper introduces Quantitative Spectrophotometric Analysis by the co-founders of the test. This test is now commonly referred to as the Membrane Patch Colorimetry and is a draft ASTM procedure.

This peer-reviewed paper was published in ASTM's Turbine Oil Oxidation Symposium. (Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 4, No. 1, Paper ID JAI100465) It is entitled "Physical, Performance, and Chemical Changes in Turbine Oils from Oxidation" and presents strong evidence that measuring individual antioxidants and sub-micron contaminants are essential for modern turbine oil formulations.

Published for Lubrication Excellence 2008, this paper summarizes the proactive control and detection of destructive foaming problems in lubricants.

This is an essential paper for those wishing to understand the various statistical methods used in a good oil analysis program.

This is an excellent paper reflecting the complexities of additive depletion. ZDDP is one additive chemistry that is examined in detail through FTIR and NMR to fully understand the secondary by-products created as this additive degrades over time.

This article was published in Practicing Oil Analysis in 2004 and was written by Drew Troyer. It discusses the value of adding RULER to a condition monitoring program.

"Residue Analysis on RPVOT test samples for single and multiple antioxidant chemistry for turbine lubricants" was presented at the 2004 ASTM Turbine Oil and Oxidation Symposium in Norfolk, VA. This paper explains why RPVOT analysis in multiple antioxidant turbine oils show very poor reproducibility. The paper also highlights the benefits of measuring individual antioxidants and in performing varnish potential analysis on in-service fluids.

This paper was published at Lubrication Excellence 2007 and presents some innovative research on varnish potential testing. The paper shows positive correlation between running the RULER tests and Focus Laboratory's proprietary VPI test.

This paper was published at the Lubrication Management and Technology LUBMAT Symposium in Preston UK in 2006 and is entitled, "Linear Sweep Voltammetry (RULER) - An Innovative Approach for Looking Forward to Lubricant Oxidation." Part I of this paper examines the role of antioxidants in preventing fluid degradation. Part II of this paper presents different applications where RULER analysis can be applied.

This paper was published at the Lubrication Management and Technology LUBMAT Symposium in Preston UK in 2006 and is entitled,"Combining On-Site and On-Line Voltammetric Analyses to Improve Military and Industrial Oil Condition Monitoring Programs."

Entender el Mecanismo de Formación de Barnices como parte de Técnicas Analíticas de Programas de Monitoreo de Aceite de Turbina de Gas." Esslingen 2008. Es un reto para la industria evitar dicha formación de barnices, por lo que es muy importante tener un buen programa de monitoreo y programa de control de aceites de turbina. En este estudio de investigación se han muestreado diferentes aceites de turbina de gas a ciertos intervalos de tiempo para evaluar el consumo de antioxidantes frente a otras técnicas analíticas: RULER, QSA™, FTIR, viscosidad, RPVOT y control de la contaminación.

"Bestimmung von Antioxidantien mit Voltametrie (RULER) zur Ermittlung der verbleibenden Öllebensdauer" Durch Laborvergleiche von Ölen, z.B. aus Turbinen und Ölumlaufschmierungen, wird dargestellt, dass mit dem RULER durch Gegenüberstellung von Gebraucht- und Frischöl der Abbau der phenolischen und aminischen Alterungsinhibitoren quantifiziert werden kann. Bei bekannten Betriebsbedingungen ist so eine eindeutige Voraussage über die noch verbleibende Restnutzungsdauer des Öles schneller als mit anderen Verfahren(z.B. RPVOT) möglich.

Rapid and Cost-Effective Determination of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of Industrial Lubricants by Voltammetric Techniques" was published at the Oil Analysis 2000 Conference.

"Determining the Remaining Useful Lifetime of Lubricating oils using RULER technology" highlights the power of combining RULER with traditional oil analysis tests for a more accurate perspective on the life of industrial lubricants.

This paper was published in 1999 and reviews the development of portable lubricant analysis equipment, including viscosity, particle count, RULER, Water and Soot.

This paper reviews the power of on-site lubricant oxidation health control programs at power generation plants.

This interview was written by Brian Thompson and introduces the QSA test for varnish potential analysis to the readers of Lubrication and Fluid Power in 2005.

This article entitled, "Assess the Condition of your Oils Prior to an Outage" was published in the Outage Handbook of Combined Cycle Journal in 2007. It reviews the key tests that power plants should consider prior to an upcoming outage to assess the health of their lubricating systems.

STLE's Tribology and Lubrication Technology publication interviews Brian Thompson about the QSA test and it's impact on condition monitoring in September 2006.

Part 2 of 2. Published in Tribology Transactions in 2003, this paper reviews coking in gas turbines, specifically the relationship between surface materials and additive chemistries.

This paper presents the results and experiences of a Predictive Health Monitoring program for Helicopter Jet Engines by Turbomeca. It was published in 2008 at LUBMAT.

Published by JOAP in 2000, this paper is entitled, "The Results of an Oil Condition Monitoring Program on 0-160 Helicopter Turbine Lubricants by using the RULER Oil Analysis Instrument".

Published by STLE in 2002 and presented at their annual meeting in Houston, this paper is entitled, "Combining On-Site and On-Line Voltammetric Analyses to Better Understand the Different Degradation Mechanisms of Industrial Lubricants and Equipment - Part 1: Joint Strike Fighter Engine." This paper highlights the research and testing that went into having a voltammetric-based sensor for the engine being developed by the JSP program.

Published in 1999 by JOAP, this paper is entitled, "Experiences with RULER Oil Analysis Instrument for Quick Determination of Remaining Useful Life on Jet and Diesel Engine Lubricants."

This paper highlights why gas turbine varnish problems utilizing modern turbine oils have been unsuccessfully solved using electrostatic and depth media filter technologies. It is found that the contaminants are in solution and cannot be successfully removed with these technologies while the unit is online. A new technology is introduced that removes varnish-causing contaminants while they are in solution.

This paper highlights the damaging effects of thermal degradation (as opposed to oxidation) and detection methodologies. It was published in Lubrication Excellence 2003.

This paper was presented at the Society of Tribologists Lubrication Engineer's Annual Meeting in 2004 and introduces a test procedure to measure the varnish potential in lubricants. Thirtyfive turbine oil systems were visually inspected to establish a varnish potential rating scale.

This article appears in Turbomachinery International in October 2008 as an opinion piece summarizing the gas turbine varnish epidemic. "Trust no one" is the advice that is given.

Technologies such as electrostatic oil cleaning, ion exchange and magnetic filtration are highlighted in this paper, published at Lubrication Excellence 2004.

Paper machines have been subject to an increase in varnish-related performance problems. This paper highlights the causes of this trend and discusses remedial actions.

Entitled, "Beyond Varnish - The plot thickens with gas turbine varnish", this paper introduces the concept of "auto-degradation" and why solving varnish in gas turbines is more challenging that it may appear. It was published in September, 2006 in Combined Cycle Journal.

This was the first article that POWER magazine published about lube oil varnish. It was published in their O&M section and was called "Detecting and Solving Lube Oil Varnish Problems". The concept of a "holistic approach" is introduced. There are also some nice graphics depicting the challenges of eradicating varnish in a GT's IGV and other critical valves.

This paper highlights the latest available technologies available for flushing lubricating systems. It was published in Turbomachinery, May 2007.

"The Lowdown on the Sticky Subject of Lubricant Varnish" was published in Combined Cycle Journal's Fall edition as well as their Outage Handbook. The paper highlights the power of performing MPC testing in predicting varnish problems and steps that can be taken to avoid this problem.

This peer-reviewed paper was published in ASTM's Turbine Oil Oxidation Symposium. (Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 4, No. 1, Paper ID JAI100465) It is entitled "Physical, Performance, and Chemical Changes in Turbine Oils from Oxidation" and presents strong evidence that measuring individual antioxidants and sub-micron contaminants are essential for modern turbine oil formulations.

This paper shows a root cause analysis that was done on a GE 7FA gas turbine to determine the source of varnish creation. Spark discharge was determined to be a leading factor, but several different chemistries of varnish components were identified in the hydraulic control system.

"Vanquishing Varnish - a growing problem for turbine oils" was published in "Lubes and Greases - Europe, Middle East and Africa" in March/April 2008. The "varnish circle of life" concept was introduced.

Published at Lubrication Excellence 2007, this paper highlights the chemistry behind sludge production in turbine oils. It is co-published with two distinguished authors from Albemarle, among the world's leading authorities on antioxidants.

This well written article summarizes the gas turbine varnish problem. It was published in Power Engineering in August, 2006.

Published for Lubrication Excellence 2008, this paper summarizes the proactive control and detection of destructive foaming problems in lubricants.

This feature article was published in Tribology and Lubrication Technology and interviews the world's leading authorities on varnish. This is a frequently referenced article.

Turbomachinery interviews industry experts about lubricant varnish.

Published in Esslingen 2008, this paper is entitled, "Understanding Varnish Build-Up Mechanisms as part of Analytical Techniques for Gas Turbine Oil Monitoring Programs". This paper provides a good overview of the issues associated with gas turbine varnish and the mechanics of varnish creation.

The importance of individual antioxidant monitoring is highlighted in this important paper on condition monitoring of wind turbines.

Reliable wind turbine operation is critical to achieving projected Return on Assets/Investments. Oil analysis is an important aspect of improving wind turbine gear reliability. This is an excellent paper summarizing the importance of oil analysis in this industry and knowing what tests to perform.

This article introduces a new category of turbine oils which be very useful for turbine users as the fluids have higher thermal stability and a longer service life. These requirements are now part of DIN, ISO and ASTM standards.

Ansaldo Energia and Ansaldo Thomassen present an important paper on increasing gas turbine reliability and availability from an OEM perspective. This paper was published at the PowerGen Europe 2009 Symposium. It highlights the impact on lube oil degradation, and the developments by this progressive OEM to increase reliability for their customers.

This paper studies antioxidant monitoring in MOV greases used a nuclear plant. It is an excellent resource for understanding grease degradation and understanding how to determine the useful remaining life in greases.

Published for ELGI in 2005, this paper examines various analytical techniques used in monitoring in-service grease.

"Comparing Different Analytical Techniques to Monitor Lubricating Grease Degradation" was published at the Esslingen Symposium in 2006. This paper presents data from oxidation experiments on grease and compares several test methodologies such as AN, LSV, FTIR, Viscosity, ICP and DSC.

Monitoring Antioxidants in Greases by Voltammetric Techniques – An Economic Approach to Life Cycle Assessment" was presented at the NLGI 71st Annual Meeting in 2004.

Part 2 of 2. Published in Tribology Transactions in 2003, this paper reviews coking in gas turbines, specifically the relationship between surface materials and additive chemistries.

This paper presents the results and experiences of a Predictive Health Monitoring program for Helicopter Jet Engines by Turbomeca. It was published in 2008 at LUBMAT.

Published by JOAP in 2000, this paper is entitled, "The Results of an Oil Condition Monitoring Program on 0-160 Helicopter Turbine Lubricants by using the RULER Oil Analysis Instrument".

Published by STLE in 2002 and presented at their annual meeting in Houston, this paper is entitled, "Combining On-Site and On-Line Voltammetric Analyses to Better Understand the Different Degradation Mechanisms of Industrial Lubricants and Equipment - Part 1: Joint Strike Fighter Engine." This paper highlights the research and testing that went into having a voltammetric-based sensor for the engine being developed by the JSP program.

Published in 1999 by JOAP, this paper is entitled, "Experiences with RULER Oil Analysis Instrument for Quick Determination of Remaining Useful Life on Jet and Diesel Engine Lubricants."

"New Analytical Techniques for Jet and Diesel Fuels" presents how voltammetry can determine hydroperoxide and antioxidant (natural and added) concentrations in jet and diesel fuels.

The ultimate varnish removal technology for turbine oils, accomplished using the patent-pending Electrophysical Separation Process.

The iLab is a handheld device that allows for extremely quick spectrographical assessment in the visible spectrum. It comes with the ability to analyze fluids and solids and is the most widely used spectrograph for determining the patch color in the Membrane Patch Colorimetry test.

This is a portable patch test kit that allows you to perform Membrane Patch Colorimetry testing on site. The Reveal Patch Test Kit is designed to work with the iLab.

These filters were designed to eliminate spark discharge in lubricating systems such large frame gas turbines.

The StealthEHC allows you to maintain extremely low water levels in your EHC system for a fraction of the cost of competing technologies.

The Fluitec UltiDri Turbine Lubricant Conditioner is the latest evolution of turbine contamination control technologies. This system is virtually maintenance free and allows you to maintain extremely dry, clean and varnish-free turbine oil.

Over the course of 2 days, you will receive the latest research on power plant lubrication, providing attendees with valuable tools that can be implemented upon return to their plant. This course will immediately impact your plant’s reliability and availability by maximizing your oil performance.