Landfill gas engine analysis

Natural Gas Pipeline equipment close up with engineer hands

This service monitors engine and lubricant conditions to detect premature wear and contamination

Description

Landfill gas presents a unique set of challenges for engines; early detection of premature engine wear, coolant leaks and lubricant contamination is necessary for continued operation. This analysis helps you discover these issues before they can result in costly downtime or expensive repairs.

engine analysis info
Natural gas options infographic
Test Purpose Importance of test
Chlorine To determine the level of chlorine contamination Chlorine from landfill chlorinated fluorocarbons, in conjunction with moisture, can cause excessive metal corrosion
Coolant Indicator To determine the level of sodium, potassium and boron in the compressor oil Indicative of a coolant leak into the compressor
Metals To determine the presence and levels of metallic content in the oil, including contaminants and wear particles The level of metals helps determine if equipment components are wearing or if harmful contamination is entering the oil. The level of metals that are part of the additive chemistry are also reported
Nitration To measure the amount of nitrogen by-products in hydraulic oil In high-pressure pumps, nitration results from the rapid compression of entrained air. As a result, if unchecked, nitrogen and oxidation precursors might form sticky varnishes, which may lead to valve sticking
Oxidation To determine the level of lubricant oxidation and deterioration

Oxidation can mean:

  • Increased wear and corrosion
  • Shorter equipment life
  • Increased viscosity
  • Excessive deposits and plugging
Particle Qualification (PQ) Index To determine ferrous metal fatigue failures and metal-to-metal contact not usually detectable with some spectrographic analysis

PQ Index can detect at an early stage:

  • Anti-friction bearing wear
  • Plain bearing wear
  • Early indications of piston scuffing
  • Gear wear
Total Acid Number (TAN) To measure acidic oil oxidation by-products An elevated Total Acid Number may indicate increased oil acidity resulting from increased oil oxidation
Ultra Centrifuge To measure varnish deposit formation in hydraulic oil Elevated deposit formation can indicate potential for varnish formation
Viscosity To determine the oil’s resistance to flow
  • An increase in viscosity may be due to high soot or insoluble content, water contamination, or admixture with higher viscosity fuel or lubricant
  • A decrease in viscosity may be due to water contamination, or admixture with lower viscosity fuel or lubricant
  • Both high or low viscosity may result in premature equipment wear
Water To detect presence of water contamination Water contamination may cause severe corrosion and subsequent wear, poor oil film thickness or hydrogen embrittlement