No.

2GBSTU00079U01A

CUSTOMER INFORMATION BULLETIN

Date: 16 September 2014
Editor: Hiten Vaidya

Page 1 of 2

Biological Contamination of Turbine Oil Systems

This Customer Information Bulletin (CIB) is to inform how to avoid problems caused by biological contamination of turbine oil
systems. This CIB affects all turbines, (steam, gas, etc.) having a lubricating oil system or control oil system operating with
mineral oil.

Background / Incident Summary

Biological contamination of steam turbine oil systems can lead to significant damage to turbine bearings, generator seals and
components of the hydraulic control and safety system.
Alstom has received reports of biological (bacterial and/or fungal) contamination of turbine lubricating oil systems, which lead
to corrosion of components and the formation of sludge/jelly (see figures ). This sludge/jelly can rapidly block filters, piping and
fine clearances causing oil supply interruptions to bearings and generator seals or malfunction of the hydraulic control and
safety system along with all the known consequential damage.

Fungal/bacterial sludge blockage of an oil strainer (left) and pipework (right)

For biological contamination to become established in a oil system, some or all of the following conditions need to exist:
Temperatures in the range 25 to 50 deg C.
Greater than 500 ppm of water in the oil.
Areas of low flow/stagnant conditions.
Oxygen which accelerates growth rates.
Suspended particles that serve as initial colonisation or coalescing sites.
Emulsification of the oil, to facilitate nutrient transport across the cellular boundary.

ALSTOM (UK) Ltd. Newbold road, Rugby, CV21 2NH, UK

www.alstom.com/power
ALSTOM 2014. All rights reserved. Confidential: This document (which expression includes its attachments, if any) and the information, conclusions, opinions,
recommendations, reports or analyses contained in or relating to this document (the Information) has been compiled for information purposes only. This document
and the Information (in whatever form) are given (whether communicated in this document or separately either before, during or after its preparation) on a
confidential basis and without any liability whatsoever and no representations or warranties of any kind in respect of the Information and this document are given nor
may they be implied. This document and the Information (in whatever form) given before, during or after its preparation are proprietary to Alstom and they shall not be
reproduced, disclosed to any third parties nor copied whether in whole or in part..

CUSTOMER INFORMATION BULLETIN

No. 2GBSTU00079U01A
Page 2 of 2

Possible implications for affected fleet

If the oil condition and the total lubricating system is not adequately appraised during a return to service after prolonged
shutdown, severe damage can be caused to bearings and rotors of the turbine unit. The thrust bearing can also be affected,
with possible consequential damage to the rotors and turbine cylinders.

Recommendations
During long term shutdown, the following precautions should be taken:

Regular operation of the oil systems and oil pumps (typically three times per week) to ensure that oil is circulated,
including through standby oil coolers and filters.
The oil purifier maintained in service throughout the shutdown to maintain water content below 500 ppm.
The oil tank temperature maintained above 50 deg C (by electrical heating in the purifier or other location).
Oil samples taken from various locations in the system on a regular basis (at least every three months) and analysed
for signs of biological contamination.
Water drained from all system low points.

Recommended precautions to be taken prior to return to service include:

A visual inspection should be made of various locations in the oil system by TV camera and/or selective opening of
flanges on the supply side (particularly downstream of the oil coolers).
If evidence of biological growth is found, further advice should be obtained from Alstom and oil suppliers to ascertain
the exact type and cause of the infestation, and to formulate an action plan to eradicate the infestation. This can be
very time consuming and involve removing the entire oil charge and manually cleaning all accessible surfaces
Care should be taken to avoid cross-contamination of other parts of the station oil systems (e.g. by passing infected oil
through station oil transfer systems).

Recommended precautions to be taken during normal operation to prevent biological contamination of the oil system are:

Regular sampling of the oil and maintenance of oil cleanliness with low ISO particle counts.
Ensure that the water content in the oil does not exceed 500 ppm, preferably below 200 ppm.

Recommended in case a biological contamination of the oil system has been identified:

Alstom has recently worked closely with oil suppliers and Customers and determined that a case-by-case approach is
required, and further advice can be given on this basis. However the above general steps make a good-practice guide
for prevention of, or when presented with this type of contamination.

Should you have any questions regarding this CIB, please contact your Customer Service Manager or Project
Manager, referring to the number and subject of this CIB.

ALSTOM (UK) Ltd. Newbold Road, Rugby, CV21 2NH, UK

www.alstom.com/power
ALSTOM 2014. All rights reserved. Confidential: This document (which expression includes its attachments, if any) and the information, conclusions, opinions,
recommendations, reports or analyses contained in or relating to this document (the Information) has been compiled for information purposes only. This document
and the Information (in whatever form) are given (whether communicated in this document or separately either before, during or after its preparation) on a
confidential basis and without any liability whatsoever and no representations or warranties of any kind in respect of the Information and this document are given nor
may they be implied. This document and the Information (in whatever form) given before, during or after its preparation are proprietary to Alstom and they shall not be
reproduced, disclosed to any third parties nor copied whether in whole or in part..