RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Introduction
A portion of the oil output from the lube oil pump is redirected to the
suction side of a high-pressure pump, which boosts the oil pressure
to 750 PSIG. This is the hydraulic output used to control the inlet
guide vanes of the gas generator.

Lubricating oil that enters the gas generator is exposed to high

temperatures that can cause the breakdown of the oil. It is therefore
important that oil be removed from the engine as quickly as possible.
The last three pump sections consist of scavenge pumps which
extract lubricating oil from the gas generator’s front center and rear
bearing cavity and returns it to the tank.

The lube oil system is controlled by the Unit Control Panel PLC’s. In
normal operation, the Main lube oil pump is commanded to start
shortly before starter engagement. The system is initially tested by
bypassing the gas generator and diverting oil back to the tank until
oil pressures have been verified. While the gas generator is turning
on the starter, only minimum oil flow is allowed into the engine for
lubrication purposes. After ignition, the oil flow increases to assist in
removal of heat generated by an increase in the gas generator’s
power output.

If for some reason, oil pressures can not be maintained, the control
panel PLC’s will automatically start the Auxiliary lube oil pump and
The lube oil console is a multifunction system that provides shut down the Main lube oil pump when a low lube oil pressure alarm
lubrication and cooling oil to the gas generator. The system, made occurs. If oil pressures continues to decrease the unit will shut down.
up of a tank module and two sets of motor driven pumps, contains
the synthetic oil that is used for lubrication and high pressure oil to
operate the inlet guide vanes of the gas generator.

Each motor driven pump is made up of five pump sections. Gas

generator lubrication and cooling oil is supplied by a low-pressure
pump whose output is regulated to a constant 240 PISG. The
quantity of oil allowed to enter the gas generator is determined by a
PLC software curve that varies oil flow as the speed of the unit
changes.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

GG Lube Oil Tank and Pumps

The gas generator lube oil system is of modular construction with The figure at the right
most of its components mounted in or on the lube oil tank. shows the electric motor
vertically mounted and
The lube oil reservoir is sized for a maximum of 244 gallons of coupled to the pump
synthetic lubricating oil but in normal operation will only contain a assembly. The box
maximum of 212 gallons of oil. attached to the side of
the motor contains the
The major components that make up the lube oil module are shown wiring connections to the
in the following diagram. Additional components mounted externally motor. The motor is
are the demister, which removes air from the hot oil returned from powered by 3-phase 460
the gas generator and the interface piping supplying oil to the gas VAC power with an
generator. additional single-phase
Temperature connection for a motor
Tank Level Sensors heater that protects the
26QGTA & B motor from condensation
Transmitter
when not in operation.
LT M M T T TC TC HTR

L4
L3
L4
L3
Lube oil pump connections
L2 L2
M
HP HP
LP LP The pump assembly submerged in
the tank consists of five stacked
L4 pumps, each sized for their specific
L3 purpose.
L2
Connection to the various pumps
Lube oil pumps Oil Heater and HP
sections is made through the flange
Thermostat 23QGT
LP that supports both pump and motor
to the top of the tank.
The most prominent features of the module are the two 20 HP
electric motors mounted on the top of the tank. The motors are each
coupled to a set of multistage submersible stacked pumps, flange
mounted to the top of the lube oil tank.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Each pump section has a specific purpose in providing a supply of oil Before the lube oil system can be used, the entire system must be
to the gas generator. Each section will be briefly described below cleaned or flushed to remove any contaminants from the tank or
and then in more detail in the following pages. piping.

LP Oil – This is the low-pressure oil used for lubrication of the gas
generator. The inlet of the pump takes oil from the reservoir,
filters it through a 250 micron filter before it enters the pump.
The discharge of the pump has a built-in relief valve limiting
the pump discharge pressure to 350 PSI. Pump output is
further reduced to 240 PSI and becomes the system
operating pressure.
Flushing is normally performed early in the commissioning process
where the control PLC may not yet be available. For flushing
purposes, the reservoir heater is equipped with a dual element
thermostat connected in series. The first is the control thermostat
which maintains the oil temperature at 140° F while the second acts
as an overtemperature thermostat turning the heater off when the
oil temperature reaches 200° F.

HP Oil – This is the high-pressure oil used to operate the inlet guide The following chart shows the minimum and maximum oil levels
vanes of the gas generator. The inlet of the pump takes its within the lube oil reservoir. All levels are referenced from the bottom
oil supply from the discharge of the LP pump and increases of the tank.
the pressure. The discharge of the HP pump has a built-in
relief valve limiting the pump discharge pressure to 1000 Top of Reservoir
PSI. Pump output is further reduced to 750 PSI, which is the Additional Rundown Capacity
Rundown Level 15.8 in / 402 mm 32 gal / 122 Liters
working pressure required for inlet guide vane operation.
Rundown Capacity
Max. Operating Level 12.9 in / 326 mm 40 gal / 151 Liters
Scavenge Oil – The scavenge system consists of three pumps that
Min. Operating Level 9.9 in / 251 mm Normal Operating Capacity
remove oil from the three bearing sections of the gas 40 gal / 151 Liters
generator. Because the quantity of lubricating oil sent to the
gas generator is not equally divided between the front center Pump Suction Level 6.5 in / 165 mm
Retention Capacity
and rear bearings, each pump section is sized for the Rb211 Lube & Hydraulic Oil System 131 Gal. / 498 Liters
quantity of oil to be removed. Reservoir Total Capacity
244 gallons / 922 Liters
Additional oil reservoir elements include oil temperature controls and
a tank level transmitter. Normal operating levels are between 9.9 and 12.9 inches from the
bottom of the tank. This takes into consideration that when the unit
The reservoir temperature controls must maintain a constant oil runs there will be approximately 40 gallons of oil in the piping and
temperature when the unit is not running. Two temperature sensors, gas generator which will eventually drain back to the tank when the
26QGTA & B, monitor the reservoir temperature for a start unit stops. The control PLC monitors the level transmitter and
permissive of greater than 59° F. If reservoir temperatures fall below initiates a low level alarm when the level drops below 9.9 inches and
113° F the controller turns on the lube oil heater. When the an high level alarm when the level exceeds 12.8 inches.
temperature reaches 118° F the lube oil heaters are turned off.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

The low alarm level at 9.9 inches is an indication that the reservoir
must be replenished before the oil level drops below the pump
suction level of 6.5 inches.

The high level alarm is an overfill alarm that indicates the reservoir
level is excessive. This is particularly critical when the unit is in
operation and the tank level is low. If the tank is replenished to the
maximum operating level while the unit is running, there will be little
room in the reservoir for the oil presently in the gas generator or the
piping.
Tank Temperature Oil Fill Connection
Sensors

Tank Level Transmitter

Lube Oil Heater with

Thermostat

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Lube Oil System Operation

Liters/Min
30.0
The lube oil system provides the oil flow rate used to lubricate and
cool the bearing components of the gas generator.
24.3 5300 RPM
During the initial phases of the start sequence, there are no 20.0
requirements for lubrication since the gas generator is not turning.
Shortly before the gas generator’s starter is commanded on, the lube
oil system is tested to assure that both lube oil pressures and
hydraulic pressures can be maintained. 10.0 9.8 3000 RPM

In this initial testing phase, the main lube oil pump motor is turned
on, the system piping fills with oil and both lube oil and hydraulic oil
pressures increase to their normal operating pressures.
While these pressures are established, oil bypasses the gas
generator and returns directly to the oil reservoir. When the control
PLC is satisfied that operating pressures have been achieved, the
PLC proceeds with the next step of the starting sequence.
Prior to turning on the starter, a Prewet oil flow rate is established to
provide the lubrication required for low speed operation of the gas
generator. The example chart at the right shows the relationship of
oil flow to N1 speed. As long as N1 speed is below 2200 RPM, oil
flow is maintained at 1.5 liters/min.
Between 2200 and 3000 RPM there is an increase in lube oil flow
from 1.5 to 9.8 liters/min because a flame has been established in
the combustor, the gas generator is accelerating and exhaust gas
temperatures are increasing. Sufficient heat is now being generated
within the gas generator to require a higher oil flow rate that will carry
away heat from the bearing areas.
3250 RPM is both the Idle speed and Warm-up speed of the gas
generator and will be maintained for 30 minutes until the components
of the gas generator and power turbine are heat soaked.
1.5 2200 RPM
N1 Speed
0
2000 4000 6000 8000
Prewet Idle to Full Load
After the warm-up timer has timed out, the operator initiates a load
command and the gas generator accelerates to a speed that
satisfies the process output. As N1 speed increases between 3000
and 5300 RPM the oil flow rate is controlled between 9.8 and 24.3
liters/min. Between 5300 RPM to maximum N1 speed the flow rate
remains a constant 24.3 liters/min.
When the unit is ready to be shut down, the operator presses the
Stop button, the gas generator decelerates and lube oil flow
decreases until it achieves a flow rate of ~9.8 liters/min when it
reaches Idle speed. The gas generator maintains this speed until a
Cooldown timer has timed out, at which point fuel to the gas
generator is removed.
As the gas generator coasts to a stop, lube oil flow to the gas
generator is stopped. The scavenge pumps will continue to operate
for a short period of time removing oil from the gas generator and
sending it back to the reservoir.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

So far, we’ve described the reservoir, its control components and the
pump modules. In the following pages, we’ll describe the piping and
the components responsible for providing lube oil to the gas
generator.

Most of the control elements of the lube oil system are mounted to
the top of the lube oil reservoir and are either attached to or
contained within the Manifold Block shown at the right.

Those elements of the lube oil system that require normal

maintenance are mounted external of the skid. This would include
the oil cooler, the filter cartridges and demister.
Manifold Block

HP Pilot Operated
Check Valve
Dual Selectable Control Solenoids
Oil Filter PdT
S
20QGSV1 & 2

Temperature S GG Supply
Control Valve Temperature

T TT TT M

Oil Cooler Oil Flow

T
Controller

PdT
Check Valves

M M LT
Demister
T T TC TC HTR

L4 L4
L3 L3
L2 L2
HP HP
Pressure
LP LP Regulator

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Lube Oil Cooling and Filtering
Before gas generator lube oil is allowed to enter the engine it must
first be cooled to a normal operating temperature of 140° F (60° C)
and then passed through a duplex filter to remove any contaminants.
Lube Oil Cooling
T
T
offshore applications where every square foot of space comes at a
premium price, plate coolers using natural gas provide the smallest
footprint.
The low-pressure pump takes oil from the reservoir and sends oil to
the cooler. A discharge check valve prevents oil discharged from the
running pump from flowing through to the auxiliary pump.
When the unit is down, normal reservoir temperatures are
maintained by the oil heater between 113 and 118° F. After the unit
has started the oil removes excess heat from the gas generator and
returns to the reservoir. As long as oil temperatures are below 140° F
flow of oil is from the discharge of the pump, into port C of the
temperature control valve and out port A to the filers.

Oil Temperature
Control Valve
T
B
A To Oil Filters
L4 T
L3 C
L2
HP PdT
LP
Lube Oil Filters
L4
L3
L2
The selection of the lube oil cooler is normally specified by customer
HP
need. As long as the cooler has the required cooling capacity, the Oil Cooler
customer can select from a number of styles. The diagramed LP
example above is a water-cooled system where oil is passed through
bundles of pipe, which are surrounded by a jacket of cooling water.
Other cooling options include fan coolers normally used with land
based units where the footprint of the cooler is not a problem. For

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

As the oil extracts heat from the gas generator, oil temperatures will
continue to rise. As oil temperature increases above 140° F, the
temperature control valve begins to open. Oil flow from the pump’s
discharge now begins to flow in two directions.
A portion of the oil is now redirected through the cooler where
excess heat is carried away by the cooling water. Cool oil discharged
from the cooler enters port B of the temperature control valve where
it mixes with the warmer oil discharged from the pump. As oil
temperatures continue to rise, the temperature control valve will
direct more oil through the cooler than is allowed to bypass the
cooler, maintaining a constant 140° F.
while the unit is running. A normally closed valve across the selector
valve is used to equalize cartridge pressure during the change out
process.
The control panel continuously monitors the filter differential pressure
with a differential pressure transmitter. (63QGJF) An alarm is
sounded when the filter differential pressure exceeds 14.5 psid
indicating the operator should switch to the auxiliary filter and replace
the main filter.

The oil temperature control valve is purely a mechanical device with

no control panel functions. If a higher or lower control temperature is
required, the temperature element within the valve can be replaced.

With the oil at its proper operating

temperature, the oil goes through
a final filtering process to remove
any particulate that could damage
the engine or effect the operation
of controlling devices.

The gas generator lube oil filter is

a hand selectable duel element
filter. The filter cartridges are
rated for 3 microns with a Manual
collapsing pressure of 150 psid. Selector
The active filter is monitored by Valve
the control system with a
differential pressure transmitter.

Each filter cartridge has its own

drain and fill valves that allow for 63QGJF PdT
the change out of filter cartridges

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Lube Oil Control The motor operated lube oil control valve (88QGCV) is a Woodward
flow control valve that regulates the flow of oil to the gas generator.
During normal operation, the flow control valve is monitored by a
26QGA&B pressure differential transmitter (63QGJCV) which determines if the
PdT 63QGJCV flow control valve is working within its design specifications.

Following the flow control valve are two solenoid operated valves
20QGSV1 that are used to:
M Zs Zs
• Direct oil back to the reservoir while the lube oil system is
TT TT S S
tested prior to the starter coming on. (20QGSV1)

• Limit oil flow during a unit start or allow full oil scheduling
during normal operation. (20QGSV2)
88QGCV
20QGSV2
All of these components are attached to or contained within the
Pressure manifold block shown below.
Control
Control
Solenoids
Valve

After filtering the oil, the system is now ready to prepare the oil for
delivery to the gas generator. A pressure regulator after the filter is Pressure
designed to maintain a constant 240 psig operating pressure within Control Valve
the system.

Two RTD’s (26QGA&B) located after the filters monitor the lube oil
supply temperature. The processor uses the supply temperature to
recalculate the center bearing differential pressure to compensate for Supply
changes in oil viscosity. Temperature compensation is only Temperature
performed when the supply temperature is less than 50° C and lube RTD’s
oil flow to the gas generator exceeds 7.2 l/min. At all other times, the
lube oil supply temperature is used to indicate a possible cooling
failure. An alarm will be indicated when the supply temperature rises
above 70° C and causes the unit to shut down when the temperature
increases above 80° C.
Piping to Diff. Pressure Flow Control
Transmitter Valve

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Lube Oil Flow As the purge cycle completes, ignition is turned on, the fuel isolation
valve is opened and a flame is established in the combustor.
The flow control valve is the Because of the increase in heat, oil flow to the bearings must be
increased to remove heat. 20QGSV2 is now energized and oil flows

Liters/Min
primary device that 30.0

establishes the required oil directly through the valve bypassing the orifice.
flow to the gas generator. 20.0
24.3 5300 RPM

The control software utilizes Based on the graph, oil flow will increase to 9.8 l/min as engine
engine speed to determine speed increases to 3000 RPM and continue to climb to 24.3 l/min as
the oil flow rate required by 10.0 N1 speed increases to 5300 RPM. Oil flow will then remain flat until
9.8 3000 RPM
the gas generator. These maximum N1 speed is achieved.
requirements are shown in 1.5 2200 RPM
N1 Speed
the graph at the right. 0 The control block diagram below shows that a valve opening position
2000 4000 6000 8000
Prewet Idle to Full Load
is calculated from the desired flow rate. The valve is commanded to
If a lube oil pump is open to that position and a feedback circuit verifies that the valve has
operating and the starter is not turning, all oil will be returned to the attained that position.
reservoir as shown by the green arrow in the following diagram.
Valve Position To ma
When the starter is commanded on, 20QGSV1 will energize to allow L/min
Flow Calculation
oil to flow through to 20QGSV2.
PdT
Feedback
Flow To Valve
L/min Position Calculation Driver
ma
20QGSV1 20QGSV2

M Zs Zs
N1 Speed
TT TT S S Expected Valve
kPad
Position To Diff.
Pressure Calculation PdT

70 kPa kPad Actual Valve ma

Differential
100 kPa Pressure
ABS

20QGSV2 is de-energized forcing oil flow through an orifice as

The differential pressure transmitter across the flow control valve is
indicated by the orange arrow. The orifice assures that the flow rate
used to determine if the valve is operating properly. Because the
is maintained at 1.5 l/min. This is the Prewet position that
differential pressure across the valve is almost linear through its
establishes minimum lubrication to the engine while on the starter.
range of operation, a high differential is an indication of improper oil
flow scheduling. Based on current valve position, the controller is

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

able to calculate the expected differential across the valve and

compares that value to the value from the flow control valve
differential transmitter.

In normal operation, if the measured differential pressure is

subtracted from the expected differential pressure, the value should Oil Flow Control Valve Manifold Block
never exceed 70 kPa.

An absolute value of 70 kPa or higher will generate an alarm

indicating an oil scheduling problem might exist. If the pressure
exceeds 100 kPa the unit will shut down.

400 Shutdown
Valve Diff. Pressure (Kpad)

335 +100
+70
300 Expected Valve
Differential Pressure
242
200
Alarm -70
-100
100
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Valve Drive Current (ma)

20QGSV1 20QGSV2

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Hydraulic Oil

Actuating Ring Drag Link

LVDT Feedback

Inlet Guide Vane Ram

Inlet Guide Vanes

The gas generator’s compressor is very efficient in compressing

large quantities of air. A portion of that air is used for combustion, but
the majority of the air is accelerated out the exhaust and into the
power turbine.
During starting and low speed operation less air is required to
operate the gas generator, the inlet guide vanes are then positioned
to restrict airflow into the compressor. As the speed of the gas
generator increases, demand for air increases and the guide vanes
rotate allowing more airflow into the gas generator’s compressor.
Guide vane control is performed by the control PLC. The controller
calculates the position of the guide vanes and sends a 4 – 20 ma
signal to a servo valve that converts the electrical signal to a low-
pressure hydraulic oil control signal.
The control signal is sent to three hydraulic rams, which utilize high-
pressure hydraulic oil to move the ram’s arm. As the ram’s arm
extends and retracts in response to the input signal, the attached
drag link causes the actuating ring to rotate on the engine. As the
ring rotates to its new position, the attached guide vanes are
repositioned.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Hydraulic oil discharged from the pumps is filtered through a 12-

Accumulator micron element before pressure is regulated to a working pressure of
750 psi.
GG Lube
Oil PdT PT PT In normal operation, only one pump is required to support both gas
generator hydraulic and lubrication functions. If the hydraulic supply
IGV RAMS
pressure starts to drop below a certain setpoint, the control PLC
commands the main pump to stop and starts the auxiliary pump. The
accumulator located after the regulator assists in maintaining
hydraulic pressure within the system during a pump transfer.

Hydraulic
M M
Set for Accumulator
Oil Filter
750 psi
L4 L4
L3 L3
L2 L2
HP HP
LP LP

Hydraulic oil pressure is produced by the high-pressure pump

section shown in the diagram above. The pump sections do not
utilize oil from the reservoir but takes its supply from the discharge of
gas generator lube oil after it has been cooled and filtered.

The discharge of the high-pressure pump exits a connection on the

pumps mounting plate. An internal relief valve limits the maximum
discharge pressure to 1000 psi. The discharge of both pumps are
tied to a common header and check valves prevent oil from back -
pressuring the pump not in operation.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

when the Main pump is shut down and the Auxiliary pump is started,
system pressure is maintained by a reserve quantity of oil
63QGHS Accumulator maintained under pressure in the accumulator.
63QGHP
The accumulator is a metal cylinder containing a bladder charged
63QGHJF PdT PT PT with 500 psi of nitrogen. When not in operation, the bladder fills the
entire cylinder. With the pumps in operation, oil pressure increases
IGV RAMS to 750 psi and forces its way into the cylinder. Oil pressure on the
outside of the bladder compresses the nitrogen filled bladder until
pressure within the bladder is equal to the regulator output of 750
psi.

Regulator set The remaining cylinder volume around the compressed bladder is
at 750 psi now occupied by hydraulic oil. This becomes the reserve volume of
oil required to sustain hydraulic oil pressure during a pump transfer.

High-pressure oil passing through the filter is monitored by a

differential pressure transmitter. (63QGHJP) An alarm sounds when Cylinder
the pressure across the filter exceeds 14.5 psi. The hydraulic oil filter
is only a single element filter and the unit must be shut down to
replace its cartridge.
Bladder
PT
After oil passes through the filter it is regulated to 750 psi and all
other oil is returned to the tank. Pressure transmitters on either side
of the regulator monitor system pressures. Hydraulic Pump
Discharge pressure is monitored by 63QGHP which looks for a
decrease in pump supply pressure. When the oil supply pressure
drops below 600 psi, the control PLC initiates a transfer of pumps.
The Main pump shuts down and the Auxiliary pump is started.
With no oil or nitrogen charge the bladder is collapsed and cylinder
Should hydraulic oil pressure continue to drop even after a pump pressures are zero.
transfer, the hydraulic oil supply pressure transmitter (63QGHS) will
initiate an alarm at 600 psi and cause the unit to shut down when
pressure drops to 500 psi.

Almost all hydraulic lines are one inch or less in diameter and are not
designed to contain large volumes of oil. During a pump transfer

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

500 psi without dropping the hydraulic pressure below the alarm and
Nitrogen shutdown setpoint.
Change
During the starting sequence, the PLC must verify hydraulic pressure
has been established before the next sequence step can be started.
Bladder To prevent the system from over-lubricating the gas generator, a
0 psi Oil pilot operated check valve prevents lube oil from being sent to the
Pressure PT gas generator.

The following diagram shows the connection between the hydraulic

system and the gas generator lubrication system. Without hydraulic
pressure, lubricating oil is diverted through the check valve,
bypassing the lube oil pressure regulator. The check valve is open
and all oil is returned to the reservoir.

With an accumulator charge of 500 psi and no oil pressure, the
bladder expands to occupy the entire cylinder.
Hydraulic oil at 750 psi compresses the nitrogen in the bladder. As
pressures increase oil displaces the decreasing bladder volume until,
When hydraulic oil pressure has been established, hydraulic
pressure on the pilot of the check valve will close the check valve
and no longer allow oil flow back to the reservoir. Oil now goes
through the regulator to the flow control valve of the lubrication
system.

750 psi
Hydraulic Oil displaces Bladder PdT PT PT

compressed Nitrogen pressure

IGV RAMS

PT

PdT

750 psi Oil Pilot Zs

M
Pressure Operated TT TT S

pressure in the bladder is equal to the oil pressure on the outside of Check Valve
the bladder. The oil volume in the cylinder allows the pumps transfer

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Gas Generator Oil Scavenging
The last three pump sections of each lube oil pump make up the gas
generator scavenging system. Its purpose is to remove oil from the
gas generator’s front, center and rear bearing cavities.
The magnetic chip detectors are not designed to remove metalic
material from the oil but are used as an indicator that metal is
present in the oil stream.
Oil from the chip detectors is piped to the connection plate of the
lube oil console where it must pass through strainers before being
allowed to enter the pumps. Any foreign material not attracted by the
chip detectors is strained from the oil to prevent damaging the
pumps.

The outputs of all three pumps are tied to a common header and oil
is pumped back to the reservoir. Additionally three bearing case vent
lines are also combined into a single return line to the reservoir.

Oil returning from the gas generator contains trapped air in the oil or
is in the form of a mist. A demister attached to the lube oil reservoir
vents air to atmosphere and separates the oil from the mist.

Lube Oil In
Bearing Case
Vent PdT

To Center Bearing Diff.

Strainers Pressure Transmitter Magnetic Chip
Detectors
Since each of the bearing cavities is piped to the suction side of the
pump, oil from the gas generator must first be cleaned before being Strainers
returned to the tank.

As oil exits the gas generator it passes over magentic chip detectors L4
mounted on the battery plate of the gas generator. Metal particles L3
suspended in the oil will be attracted to the magnetic plug and L2
remain there for future analysis.
HP
LP

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

As the oil is sucked from the gas generator it must first pass over a Center Bearing Differential Pressure
magnetic chip detector. Almost all engines contain small metalic
particles from the manufacturing process which are normally flushed 63QGJGG is the Center Bearing Differential pressure transmitter
out of the engine over time. monitoring the health of the gas generator. As oil flow to the gas
generator increases with engine speed, the differential pressure
During normal operation, most stresses are absorbed by the engine across the center bearing of the gas generator increases.
bearings. As these bearing start to deteriorate over time or are
damaged, small metal particles are introduced into the lube oil. As Lube Oil 63QGJGG
they pass through the chip detectors they become attached to the Supply Center Bearing
PdT
magnets. Scavenge Line

L4
L3
L2
Rear HP
LP
Center

Magnetic Chip
Front Detector The control PLC evaluates the bearing differential pressure and
determines if the gas generator is being over or under lubricated.

Through regular chip detector inspection, these particles can be The accuracy of the transmitter is dependent on its location. It should
collected and utilizing metallurgical analysis determine the origin of be located within 2 meters of the RB211 battery plate and below the
the material and initiate a corrective action. centerline of the gas generator.

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 RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview

Liters/Min
30.0
The gas generator’s center N1 Speed Low Alarm High Alarm Low S/D High S/D
bearing differential pressure 0 - 2200 - 30 - 35
24.3 5300 RPM 3000 10 120 20 160
changes as the lube oil flow 20.0
to the engine changes. The 5300 - 7500 120 345 120 380
chart at the right shows how
oil flow increases as N1 10.0 9.8 3000 RPM
All alarm and shutdown signals from the controller are on a 30-
speeds increases. second delay. If the differential pressure return to their normal range,
1.5 2200 RPM
N1 Speed no alarm or shutdown will be generated.
0
The differential pressure 2000 4000 6000 8000
across the center bearing Prewet Idle to Full Load

also changes as the oil flow

changes. The following chart shows the acceptable differential
pressure ranges in green while the yellow and red areas show both
high and low pressure alarm and shutdown areas.

The graph indicates that the center bearing differential pressure can
range from zero to 30 kPa and still be in an acceptable range while
engine speeds are below 2200 RPM. A pressure of 30 to 35 kPa is
considered an alarm condition and above 35 kPa the unit shuts
down. The following chart breaks down the alarm and shutdown
points for different N1 speeds.

400
Center Bearing Diff. Press. (kPA)

High Alarm DPHH

DPH
300
High Shutdown
Normal
Range
200

Low Alarm DPL

DPLL
100
Low
Shutdown
0
N1 (NL) RPM 2200 3000 5300 7500

Rolls-Royce Customer Training Center 18

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Demister Operation
Because of the high turbulence within the gas generator, all oil being
returned has a high air content. Most of the oil sent back to the
reservoir originates from the scavenging pumps, which remove oil
from the front, center and rear bearing cavity.
The gas generator also has three case vent lines that have been tied
to a common line and are piped to the lube oil reservoir.
Scavenge Pump
Discharge
L4
L3
L2
HP
LP
The scavenge pumps dischage into the lube oil reservoir where a
series of baffles allow air bubbles to separate from the oil. As these
bubbles rise to the surface they continue up the vent pipe and into
the demister where it continues through a filter and out the vent.
The discharge from the bearing case vent mostly consists of air
saturated with small oil particles. Instead of sending this mist directly
back to the reservoir, the line is connected directly into a demister
vent line.
Rolls-Royce Customer Training Center
RB211 GG Lube Oil System (PMP) Overview
The hot oil mist enters the demister vent line and rises into the
demister. As it continues to rise, the mist encounters a coalescing
filter that allows air to pass through the filter, while separating the oil
from the air. Oil falls from the filters to the bottom of demister where
it is allowed to drain back into the reservoir.
L4
L3
L2
HP
LP
Returning air from the case vent should be checked during
commissioning since excessive pressure could result in over
pressurizing the lube oil reservoir. At maximum load, the center-
bearing vent should not exceed 10 psi.
For optimum demister operation, the bearing vent line has a critical
length of six feet and must slope towards the demister. This allows
the oil mist to start the cooling process, which will cause most of the
oil to separate in the vent pipe and drain to the reservoir. Pipe
lengths over six feet may result in acid formation due to water
condensation.
19
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