turbine oil?

[keimmmo]

I think I have a new one for you all. I am getting ready to head up to Illinois for a few weeks. In contacting friends who might have used motor oil available for me to add to my diesel fuel, one friend offered me "turbine oil".



My friend works for a big power plant where they generate electricty. They use steam driven turbines to spin the generators. He says he can get me all the "turbine oil" I want. I understand this is the drain oil from the turbines.



I have no idea what type or quality of oil this would be, and he doesn't either, so before I accept any, I thought I would ask some questions. Do any of you know if this would be good fuel?



I eagerly await the benefit of your knowledge!



Steve Keim

 

[RustyJC]

HERE is a typical non-synthetic steam turbine oil. Specs and properties are toward the bottom of the sheet.



Rusty

 

[keimmmo]

I read it, but I really didn't understand much. Is it thick like gear lube or thin like motor oil? It sounds like it is intended to lubricate gear drives like gear lube... and gear lube just doesn't work at all mixed with diesel!



Bottom line, would it be acceptable to mix with the fuel or not?



Steve Keim

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Find out if it's synthetic first. Most new installations are using synthetics these days and some of the older ones have switched over.

 

[RustyJC]

It's much thinner than 15W-40 diesel engine oil. Notice the viscosity. A typical 15W-40 diesel engine oil (Delvac 1300) has a viscosity of 15. 4 cSt @ 100*C. The ISO 32 turbine oil's viscosity is 5. 4 cSt @ 100*C, while the ISO 46 turbine oil has a viscosity of 6. 2 cSt @ 100*C.



Rusty

 

[Cooker]

I didn't read the link but thinner would certainly be better.



Also I would think the oil to be relative free of insoluable contaminates.



Sounds great to me as long as it is not a Group IV/V synthetic.

 

[keimmmo]

If indeed it is thin oil, that would be good... unless it is a synthetic that won't burn. I have written my friend again and asked more about the oil... especially if it is synthetic. I think the best bet would be to throw a cup or so of it on a trash fire and see how well it burns. I will get just a couple of gallons for now to play with. If it works well, I will get more later.



Thanks for your input.



Steve Keim

 

[ESorensen]

Steve, let me know how this stuff works. I've got friends in the power industry!