Hydroelectric Turbine Lubrication

All hydroelectric turbines incorporate a simple principal of converting the potential energy stored in water to mechanical energy by using a portion of it to rotate a paddle wheel or propeller type runner on the turbine. This rotating mechanical energy is used to turn an electric generator to produce electrical energy.

There are three areas of concern when contamination of hydroelectric turbine lubricating fluids are examined. They include:

• •The inlet valve hydraulic power units (HPU's)
• •The turbine bearing lube systems
• •The turbine governor system