Operation of a Centrifugal oil purifers

Preamble

The following description relies on the reader having an understanding of the

function and internal design of a modern self cleaning centrifugal purifer.

The method describes the operation of a manually controlled system. It is accepted

that the vast majority of units are automated, it is intended allow better
understanding of the automated process by doing this. The " Automation " section
will clarify this.

The unit described is a sliding bowl type, does not have on line sludging capability
with light phase requiring heating. Operating water is required for both opening, and
closing the bowl. It is accepted that in common designs only opening water is
supplied, once supplied this water leaks out until it reaches a level determined by a
weir arrangement. The water remaining beyond this weir acts to close the bowl

Operating, displacement, seal and sludging water are delivered in finite quantities
governed by the type and size of bowl, and the supply water pressure. Although not
mentioned it should be taken for granted that water introduced is of a set quantity

Starting and stopping

Before starting the purifier the correct sized gravity ring must be in place for the light
phase specific gravity at required delivery temperature.

Most units have a brake arrangement fitted acting on the bowl to slow during
stopping. This should be check to be disengaged.

The use of this brake is determined by manufacturers recommendations. The brake

should be seen as an emergency device to slow the bowl in the event of some
problem, typically an out of balance of the bowl caused by sludge not being evenly
removed from the bowl.

Where no preference is given it is the authors recommendation that the brake be

used. The reason for this is to allow the bowl to pass as quickly as possible through
any critical vibration harmonics.

Correct operating and sludging water supply pressure should be checked

The light phase (oil) supply, discharge valves may be opened, the flow control valve
and back pressure valve may be set at approximate initial settings. The three way
valve is set to recirc (dump)
Remember that when the oil is introduced to the bowl the bowl is cool and so the oil
will be cooled and will tend to pass over with the heavy phase. This action may be
reduced by having the back pressure discharge valve slightly more open than
required closing as the bowl warms.

The bowl may be started. Drive to the bowl is via a centrifugal clutch arrangement
reducing the starting current on the motor. The start up time is determined by the
slippage of this clutch which is in turn determined by the number of pads. The oil is
now being circulated though the heater. The heating medium may be introduced to
bring the oil to purifying temperature

It should be noted that for some designs the motor is non-standard being able to
carry high starting currents over a longer period. When requesting replacements this
should be noted.

Too few pads causes an overly long start up time. In addition, the drag of the liquid
as it leaves the bowl during a sludge cycle causes a reduction in speed. For
automated systems, this speed must be regained before the oil is reintroduced
otherwise carryover can occur. With some designs correct sludging is determined by
an expected rise in drive current caused by the motor trying to bring the bowl back
to speed. Too few pads may cause problems in both these cases.

Too many pads leads to excessive force on the drive gear leading to premature
failure especially of the wheel and the electric motor.

When the bowl has reached it operating speed the bowl may be closed by
introducing closing operating water.

this may be checked by viewing the external speed indicator or by observation of a

reduction in amps as the bowl reaches its operating speed. The best method is a
combination of the two. Observe the amp reduction and visually check the speed
indicator to confirm that a fault has not occurred in the clutch.

Once correct oil temperature is observed the purification process may begin. Seal
water is introduced to the bowl. The three way valve is operated to supply oil to the
bowl. Correct flow and back pressure should be set once full flow is achieved. The
amount of heating medium to the heater should be increased as required

The sludge port should be viewed to ensure no leakage from bowl- remember to
close port before sludging. Check heavy phase (water) shute to ensure no oil
overflow. Check operating water shute to ensure valves have isolated
It is unlikely that the bowl will immediately come " on-line ", this is generally due to
the bowl being cold, cooling the oil, increasing its specific gravity and causing it to
pass over the heavy phase (water) shute.

The amount of carryover may be reduced by opening the back pressure valve. The
best solution is to removed the cool oil that is in the bowl by sludging. This may be
repeated couple of times before the bowl has reached operating temperature.

The correct function of the desludging mechanism should be checked.

Sludging

o Change three way valve to recirculation (dump). Reduce heating

medium to heater if required
o Introduce displacement water. This removes the oil from the bowl
preventing wastage
o Open bowl open operating water
o Observe amps ( increase), check sludge port ( see discharge). Close
sludge port. There is normally an audible indication that the bowl has
opened
o Operate bowl closing water
o Once amps has returned to normal running the bowl can be assumed
closed, again there is generally an audible indication of this
o Bring unit back on line

Once the unit has been proved on line and operating correctly the alarms and
shutdowns should be tested. Where the units overflow to a sludge tank the correct
operation of the alarm should be checked.

The testing of the alarms and shut downs is paramount. Once completed, especially
for main engine lube oil purifiers, a note should be made in the engineroom log
book

It is common to find dedicated sludge tanks for the purifiers. The level in which is
kept artificially high and just off the high level alarm. In this way the tank acts as a
back up alarm for the purifier.

Automation

The vast majority of units will be fully automated for UMS enginerooms. Sludging will
involve pressing a single button. A controller will then cycle through the operating,
displacement and seal water valves as well as operate the three way valve. The heater
will have an independent controller although a zero output signal may be generated
by the purifier controller during the sludge period.
Detection of correct desludging may be by drive motor current, as discussed, flap
arrangement which is struck by the discharge from the open bowl or by measuring
the discharge pressure which falls to or below zero pressure during the sludge cycle.