ASTM D4378-20

Standard Practice for In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine Oils for Steam, Gas, and Combined Cycle Turbines

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is intended to assist the user, in particular the power-plant operator, to maintain effective lubrication of all parts of the turbine and guard against the onset of problems associated with oil degradation and contamination. The values of the various test parameters mentioned in this practice are purely indicative. In fact, for proper interpretation of the results, many factors, such as type of equipment, operation workload, design of the lubricating oil circuit, and top-up level, should be taken into account.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the requirements for the effective monitoring of mineral turbine oils in service in steam and gas turbines, as individual or combined cycle turbines, used for power generation. This practice includes sampling and testing schedules to validate the condition of the lubricant through its life cycle and by ensuring required improvements to bring the present condition of the lubricant within the acceptable targets. This practice is not intended for condition monitoring of lubricants for auxiliary equipment; it is recommended that the appropriate practice be consulted (see Practice D6224).  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 27.040 - Gas and steam turbines. Steam engines
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.C0.01 - Turbine Oil Monitoring, Problems and Systems

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4378 − 20
Standard Practice for
In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine Oils for Steam,
1
Gas, and Combined Cycle Turbines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4378; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The in-service monitoring of turbine oils has long been recognized by the power-generation
industry as being necessary to ensure long, trouble-free operation of turbines.
The two main types of stationary turbines used for power generation are steam and gas turbines; the
turbinescanbeusedasindividualturbines,orcanbeconfiguredascombinecycleturbines.Combined
cycleturbinesareoftwotypes;thefirsttypeconnectsagasturbinewithasteamturbine,withseparate
lubricant circuits, and the second type mounts a steam and a gas turbine on the same shaft and has a
common lubricant circuit. The lubrication requirements are quite similar but there are important
differences in that gas turbine oils are subjected to significantly higher localized “hot spot”
temperatures and water contamination is less likely. Steam turbine oils are normally expected to last
for many years. In some turbines up to 20 years of service life has been obtained. Gas turbine oils, by
comparison, have a shorter service life from 2 to 5 years depending on severity of the operating
conditions. One of the benefits of the gas turbine is the ability to respond quickly to electrical power
generation dispatching requirements. Consequently, a growing percentage of modern gas turbines are
being used for peaking or cyclic duty (frequent unit stops and starts) that subjects the lubricant to
variable conditions (very high down to ambient temperatures), which put additional stresses on the
lubricant.
This practice is designed to assist the user to validate the condition of the lubricant through its life
cycle by carrying out a meaningful program of sampling and testing of oils in service. This practice
is performed in order to collect data and monitor trends which suggest any signs of lubricant
deterioration and to ensure a safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of the monitored plant
equipment.
1. Scope* 1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice covers the requirements for the effective
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
monitoring of mineral turbine oils in service in steam and gas
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
turbines, as individual or combined cycle turbines, used for
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
power generation. This practice includes sampling and testing
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
schedules to validate the condition of the lubricant through its
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
life cycle and by ensuring required improvements to bring the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
present condition of the lubricant within the acceptable targets.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
This practice is not intended for condition monitoring of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
lubricants for auxiliary equipment; it is recommended that the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
appropriate practice be consulted (see Practice D6224).
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
2
mittee D02.C0.01 on Turbine Oil Monitoring, Problems and Systems. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4378 – 13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4378-20. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4378 − 20
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland D7155 Practice for Evaluating Compatibility of Mixtures of
Open Cup Tester Turbine Lubricating Oils
D7464 Practice for Manual Sampling of Liquid Fuels, As-
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Pet
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4378 − 13 D4378 − 20
Standard Practice for
In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine Oils for Steam,
1
Gas, and Combined Cycle Turbines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4378; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The in-service monitoring of turbine oils has long been recognized by the power-generation
industry as being necessary to ensure long, trouble-free operation of turbines.
The two main types of stationary turbines used for power generation are steam and gas turbines; the
turbines can be used as individual turbines, or can be configured as combine cycle turbines. Combined
cycle turbines are of two types; the first type connects a gas turbine with a steam turbine, with separate
lubricant circuits, and the second type mounts a steam and a gas turbine on the same shaft and has a
common lubricant circuit. The lubrication requirements are quite similar but there are important
differences in that gas turbine oils are subjected to significantly higher localized “hot spot”
temperatures and water contamination is less likely. Steam turbine oils are normally expected to last
for many years. In some turbines up to 20 years of service life has been obtained. Gas turbine oils, by
comparison, have a shorter service life from 2 to 5 years depending on severity of the operating
conditions. One of the benefits of the gas turbine is the ability to respond quickly to electrical power
generation dispatching requirements. Consequently, a growing percentage of modern gas turbines are
being used for peaking or cyclic duty (frequent unit stops and starts) that subjects the lubricant to
variable conditions (very high down to ambient temperatures), which put additional stresses on the
lubricant.
This practice is designed to assist the user to validate the condition of the lubricant through its life
cycle by carrying out a meaningful program of sampling and testing of oils in service. This practice
is performed in order to collect data and monitor trends which suggest any signs of lubricant
deterioration and to ensure a safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of the monitored plant
equipment.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers the requirements for the effective monitoring of mineral turbine oils in service in steam and gas
turbines, as individual or combined cycle turbines, used for power generation. This practice includes sampling and testing
schedules to validate the condition of the lubricant through its life cycle and by ensuring required improvements to bring the
present condition of the lubricant within the acceptable targets. This practice is not intended for condition monitoring of lubricants
for auxiliary equipment; it is recommended that the appropriate practice be consulted (see Practice D6224).
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.C0.01 on Turbine Oil Monitoring, Problems and Systems.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013May 1, 2020. Published October 2013June 2020. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20122013 as
D4378 – 12.D4378 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D4378-13.10.1520/D4378-20.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4378 − 20
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleu
...