SERVICE BULLETIN

NOTICE: The Type of Change and Recommended Compliance specified reflects Solar’s best judgment regarding the
Service Bulletin. All questions should be directed to your Solar Field Service Representative. Solar, Saturn,
Centaur, Taurus, Mercury, Mars, Titan, SoLoNOx, and Turbotronic are trademarks of Solar Turbines Incorporated.
Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of Caterpillar Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice.

NUMBER: 22.0/100
ISSUED: April 1996
REVISED:
PRODUCT: All
MODEL(S): All
Specifics:

SUBJECT: BACK PRESSURE IN PACKAGE VENTS AND DRAINS

PRODUCT SAFETY

Type of Change: Product Safety

Recommended
Compliance: Immediate

Purpose:
To recommend inspection of all package vents and drains to assure compliance with
Mechanical Installation Drawing instructions.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

FAILURE TO TAKE THIS ACTION CAN RESULT IN SYSTEM OR

COMPONENT MALFUNCTION THAT COULD RESULT IN SEVERE
PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR LOSS OF LIFE.

Several instances have occurred where excessive back pressure in a package vent or drain
connected to a gas turbine skid connection point has resulted in, 1) continued operation of

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equipment after a manual or a remote shutdown was initiated, 2) inability to stop the turbine,
3) or component failure, including failure of pressurized casings.

Solar packages use atmospheric vents and drains to allow for momentary or controlled escape of
gas and pneumatic pressure or liquids from a system. This allows actuation of solenoid and shutoff
valves, provides venting for pneumatically powered motors and starters, and purging or draining of
unwanted liquids. Correct operation of valves and the mechanical integrity of certain parts depend
on maintaining back pressure in these vents below the working pressures for which these compo-
nents are designed.

Ideally, all package vent connections are separate atmospheric vents and lead directly to the atmos-
phere with no other restriction in the line except a flame arrestor. Solar realizes that increasingly
our customers are required to manifold these vents together for environmental or safety reasons
(e.g., platform operation, fuel gas containing H2S). The vented gas then must be piped to a flare or
common blow-down stack. Block and/or check valves are sometimes installed into the vent con-
nections to prevent back flow and to isolate the package for maintenance purposes.

NOTE
The Mechanical Installation Drawing provided during original shipment of
equipment contains important notes and instructions regarding the connec-
tions for vents and drains on the package skid. These notes must be followed
to insure safe and proper operation of the turbine equipment during startup,
operation, and shutdown.

Should blockages occur in a vent or drain, one or more of the following conditions can result
(refer to 1 for maximum allowable back pressure):

1. Combustor and Exhaust Collector Drain - These are provided to drain away any
liquids from the combustor or exhaust collector. The liquids most likely to be present
in this drain are water, liquid fuel, or lube oil. Any liquids collected in this drain must
be properly disposed of. Any back pressure at this connection may result in an
accumulation of combustible liquids in the engine or exhaust ducting and could
result in a fire.
2. Gas Compressor Case Vent - This has always been an atmospheric vent. If the
compressor case is vented to a flare line or pressurized vent system, the compressor
case will remain pressurized at that pressure. If the pressure is higher than the case
pressure switch (S360) set point, (4 psig typically), the auxiliary seal oil pump will
always run. If the gas compressor case pressure is lower than the compressor case
pressure switch set point (switch S360), the auxiliary seal oil pump will not run
and there is a potential of gas flowing over the oil seals and into the lube oil system.

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 In any installation where the compressor case vent is not atmospheric, a two step vent
system is recommended. The compressor case is first vented to a flare or a common
vent through one of the vent valves. That vent valve should then be closed, and a second
atmospheric vent valve opened. This allows most of the gas in the case to be diverted to
the flare or common vent and still maintain an atmospheric vent on the case. If the vent
valves and/or vent lines are restrictive, suction or discharge shutoff valve leakage will
partially pressurize the compressor case. The use of a nitrogen blanketing system and
leak detection system is advisable under these conditions.
Compressors with dry seals do not have the problem of gas leakage from the compressor
case to the lube oil tank if the buffer air is left on. This is being done on current production
packages. If the process gas is wet or dirty there may be some contamination of the dry
seals during these non-operating periods if the case sees any residual pressure.
3. Degassing Flue/Tank Vent - The gas compressor seal oil that drains into the degassing
tank is returned to the main lube oil tank by a gravity drain. This drain incorporates a
liquid seal so that gas from the degassing tank vent is not pushed into the lube oil tank.
If the vent pressure on the degassing tank is too high, this liquid seal will be blown
out and gas will be fed into the lube oil tank.
4. Dry Seal Primary and Secondary Vents- Gas compressor dry seal leakage monitoring
and protection systems are designed to operate with a vent back pressure of 0 to 5 psig.
Operation with higher back pressures than this will trip the high seal leakage flow
alarms and shutdowns. No reverse flow is allowed across the dry seals.
5. Engine Air Inlet Duct Drain - The air inlet ducting must be clear of water and
other liquids before starting the engine. The drain line from the air inlet housing to
the package connection has a check valve to prevent reverse flow. A manual shutoff
valve in the external piping is recommended so that the drain line can be shut off during
package operation.
6. Engine Exhaust - The exhaust must be clear of water or other liquids before starting
the engine. If a gate or butterfly valve is installed as in a heat recovery application,
electrical interlocks should be installed. This will insure that the unit cannot be started
with the valve closed, nor allow the valve to close after a shutdown to avoid heat soaking
turbine bearings and seals.
7. Pcd Bleed - Engine Pcd is sensed by the fuel control and used to schedule fuel to the
engine. In Mars packages, an orifice is used at the end of the sensing line to maintain a
small constant flow of air to the atmosphere. This prevents water from collecting in the
sensing line. The port should not be plugged as this will allow condensed water from
the engine Pcd to accumulate in the fuel control, affecting proper fuel schedule.
8. Liquid Fuel Purge - Liquid fuel manifolds and injectors are cleared of fuel by use of a
back purge. This results in some liquid fuel being discharged from this port on package
shutdown, failed start, or transfer to gas fuel. On dual fuel engines there may be some

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 natural gas in the air/liquid fuel being purged from this port during a transfer to gas
fuel. The purge is accomplished from the injector tip back through the injectors and
manifolds. Any back pressure at this port may prevent the gas or liquid fuel to drain
from the injectors and manifolds during a shutdown. This can cause previously
purged fuel to flow back into the engine after a shutdown. This fuel may ignite or
cause a high temperature light off during the next start attempt. Liquid fuel left in
injectors will also coke up and foul the injectors.
9. Lube oil Tank Vent - High lube oil tank back pressure can over pressurize the lube oil
tank, vent line, demister, etc. This equipment is not designed for high pressure operation.
High tank pressure can make it difficult to drain oil back from degassing tanks and driven
equipment bearings, especially if the bearing capsules are vented to atmosphere as is
common with generators, pumps, and other manufacturers compressors. If the lube oil
tank vent pressure is too high, the lube oil tank will try to vent itself through the
degassing tank and/or the driven equipment bearings and cause oil to be carried
out of these other vents.
10. Pilot Vents - Solar uses pneumatically operated valves for shutoff services (gas fuel,
lube oil pneumatic motor, seal oil pneumatic motor, pneumatic start, etc.). The actuators
for the shutoff valves are piloted by either gas or air pressure typically at 80 to 100
psig. Gas is used most often for pilot service, and the gas exhausted from the actuators
must be vented to a safe place. If this vent is subjected to high back pressure, the
closure speed of the shutoff valves is affected, and if the back pressure is high
enough,the actuators will open the valves. Normally the actuators are sized with a
torque safety margin so that at the 80 or 100 psig pilot pressure they develop two to
three times the torque required to actuate the valve. This means that the pilot vent
back pressure could start to open the valves at a vent back pressure of 30 to 50
psig. Such unintended back pressure must be prevented.
11. Pneumatic Starter Exhaust -
Mars Pneumatic Starter
The Mars pneumatic starter is an impulse turbine type starter. The exhaust portion of
the case has a 5 psig maximum pressure rating. The 5 psig maximum back pressure
limit is due to both equipment strength limits and performance issues. The starter torque
depends on the mass flow and velocity of the gas flow striking the buckets. The higher
the back pressure, the higher the gas density, the lower the gas velocity, and the lower
the developed starter torque. Excessive back pressures on the Mars pneumatic starter
vent that exceeds the case rating will cause rupture of the casing.

NOTE
Although commonly called "pneumatic," this starter often operates on com-
pressed natural gas that is flammable. It is mandatory to always contain
natural gas.

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 Ingersoll Rand Turbine Starter
The Ingersoll Rand turbine starter used on Centaur and Taurus packages also have a back
pressure limit of 5 psig.
Ingersoll Rand Vane Motor Starter
The Ingersoll Rand vane motors are typically performance rated at 5 psig outlet pressure.
12. Pneumatic Motor Exhaust - Solar uses a variety of vane and turbine style motors. The
comments applicable to the start motor exhaust (paragraph 11, above) also apply
here.

NOTE
Most pneumatic motors start upon loss of electrical power and therefore
cannot be electrically interlocked. It is recommended that supply gas be
disconnected and blocked off for a positive shut off.

13. Water Injection Purge - When the package is shut down or the water injection system
is shut off, the fuel injectors and the water injection lines are cleared of water by use of
a back purge. The purged liquids and gases are mostly water and air, but as the purge
originates at the injector tip some natural gas and/or liquid fuel may also be carried out
with the air and water. Any back pressure at this port may not allow the water to
drain sufficiently from the injectors and manifold during shutdown or may allow
previously purged water to flow back into a hot engine.

ACTION REQUIRED:
Insure for each vent and drain that the maximum allowable back pressure is not
exceeded.Compare the package vent and drain connections to the Mechanical Installation
Drawing and 1. Inspect all package vents and drains for obstructions, blockage, or installation of
valves. If found, remove any blockage from vent or drain. If valving is installed and is otherwise
acceptable, it should be instrumented with limit switches connected to the turbine package
electrical controls to prevent operation of equipment with improper valve position.

Vents and drains have to be large enough to handle any flow given in the Mechanical
Installation Drawing without exceeding the maximum allowable back pressure. The
given size of each skid connection is a minimum size and cannot be reduced under any
circumstances. For longer pipe runs, line sizes have to be appropriately increased.

If a block valve is installed in any vent connection, it is mandatory to interlock the package
fuel and start gas supplies in such a way that all supply lines to the package (fuel, pilot and
start gas, air or pneumatic motors, liquid fuel) are disconnected, blocked off and vented before

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any block valve in a vent line can be closed. The supply gas vent line cannot be tied into the
common gas vent system.

The installation of any interlock is the customer’s responsibility.Solar always recommends the
installation of a manual shutoff valve in any supply line. These valves may be used in the design of
this interlock system. Mechanical or electrical interlocks may be used as described below:

• Introduce a positive mechanical lock-out system with padlocks or similar procedure to

prevent the closing of any block valve in a package vent line before all package supply
lines are locked out and the supply lines vented.
• Motorize and instrument all block and vent valves with limit switches. If pneumatic valve
motors and/or solenoids are used, customer supplied air is required as operating medium
to allow local venting and to be independent from any gas supply. Upon loss of power, all
valves should be spring loaded to their respective full return position.
• Add an electrical interlock. This interlock should be incorporated into the package control
system logic.

Common vent lines experience periodic increases in back pressure (during a blow down of
other equipment). This back pressure must not exceed the pressures listed in 1 even for short
periods, regardless if the package is running or not. Additional precautions are required if this
condition cannot be met. The addition of a check valve is not sufficient. To prevent pressure build
up between the package and check valve, properly sized relief valves and rupture disks should be
installed with a bypass vent directly to atmosphere. This bypass vent should be sized to handle the
complete system flow.

If the vent or drain is connected to a common header, additional precautions are

recommended. To prevent excessive pressure build up in a system connected to a common
station or platform vent, proper size relief valves and rupture disks should be installed with
a bypass vent to atmosphere.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE BACK PRESSURE

PACKAGE VENT OR
SATURN CENTAUR MARS
DRAIN
Combustor or Exhaust NONE* NONE* NONE*
Collector Drain
Compressor Case Vent NONE* NONE* NONE*
Degassing Flue / Tank Vent 5" H2O 5" H2O 5" H2O
Dry Seal Primary and 5 PSIG 5 PSIG 5 PSIG
Secondary Vent
Engine Inlet Duct Drain NONE* NONE* NONE*

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 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE BACK PRESSURE
PACKAGE VENT OR
SATURN CENTAUR MARS
DRAIN
Engine Exhaust Duct 6" H2O 6" H2O 8" H2O
Fuel Control Pcd Bleed N/A** N/A** NONE*
Vent
Liquid Fuel Purge Drain NONE* NONE* NONE*
Lube Oil Tank Vent Line 2" H2O 2" H2O 2" H2O
Pilot Solenoid Vents NONE* 5 PSIG 12 PSIG
Pneumatic Motor Exhaust 5 PSIG 5 PSIG 5 PSIG
Vent
Pneumatic Starter Exhaust 5 PSIG 5 PSIG 5 PSIG
Vent
Water Injection Purge NONE* NONE* NONE*
Drain
* Atmospheric drain / vent, no back pressure allowed. ** Not Applicable.

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