GE Power LM6000 – Universal Gen II

Gas Power Systems Operation & Maintenance

TP TECHNICAL PROCEDURE 7703

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO)

Purpose & Scope

The purpose of this procedure is to provide instructions for flushing the Fin/Fan Lube Oil
Cooler for the Turbine Lube Oil (TLO) and Mineral Lube Oil (MLO) Systems.

This procedure is to be used if the cooler was not flushed by GE and was received directly
from the manufacturer, or if the cooler is suspect of contamination. Refer to cooler
manufacturer’s instructions in accordance with the following guidelines.

Prerequisites

The lube oil system installation should be complete and the system inspected.

When flushing the Lube Oil Cooler, it is necessary to utilize the tank and heater unit, furnished in
the flushing kit, in order not to contaminate the lube oil system. A constant flushing oil
temperature of 120 °F to 160° F shall be maintained during Turbine Lube Oil flushing and 120 °F
– 140 °F for Mineral Lube Oil flushing. It will be necessary to have the correct voltage available
for the Flushing Kit Turbine Lube Oil Tank Heater.

CAUTION
LUBRICATING OIL IS TOXIC TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. PPE IS REQUIRED. AVOID
REPEATED OR PROLONGED CONTACT. ENSURE AREA IS WELL VENTILATED.

NOTICE
Care must be taken not to allow contamination of the lube oil system prior to, during, or after
completion of system flushing. Cover all open piping connections to prevent entry of foreign debris
and objects.
If the system incorporates a Fin-Fan Cooler, the cooler must be flushed first.
Fin Fan Coolers incorporate turbulators, therefore flow rates must not exceed 17.5 gpm (4psid).

TP7703 Rev. 1.1

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO) Page 1 of 5
 GE Power LM6000 – Universal Gen II
Gas Power Systems Operation & Maintenance

Flushing TLO Fin Fan Coolers

• Fill flush oil tank with specified turbine synthetic lube oil.
• Connect flush tank heater electrical lead to electrical power supply.
• Energize heater and heat turbine lube oil to 120 °F to 160° F. Allow sufficient time for
oil to reach correct temperature and stabilize.

NOTICE
100 mesh screen is provided in flush kit. It comes in a roll and must be cut to proper size.

• Install “100-Mesh” screen (CON, Item 1) on return side of flush tank.

• Connect flush supply line from tank to flush pump.
• Connect three-way valve to flush pump.
• Connect flush line from 3-way valve to tee connection.
• Connect flush return line from cooler discharge to tee connection.
• Connect flush line from tee connection to flush tank.

Figure 1 - Fin Fan Cooler Flush Connections

Tee
Conn

Fill Return
Valve Screen
Cooler

Heater Flush
Tank
3-Way
Suction
Flush Valve
Valve
Pump

• Open 3-way valve to port all oil flow to flushing tank return.
• Open flushing tank suction and return valves.
• Remove ¾" plug at turbine lube oil fin-fan cooler manifold inlet.

TP7703 Rev. 1.1

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO) Page 2 of 5
GE Power LM6000 – Universal Gen II
Gas Power Systems Operation & Maintenance

FIN-FAN COOLERS (FLOW METER) FIN-FAN COOLERS (ALTERNATE METHOD)

a Install flow gauge (pitot-tube type from
flushing kit) at manifold inlet plug
(F/F, Item 2).
a Remove ¾" plug at turbine lube oil fin-
fan cooler manifold outlet.
b Install a pressure gauge at fin-fan cooler
inlet and outlet manifolds.

• Start pump and quickly observe for leaks. If leaks occur, shut down pump, repair
leaks and restart.

FIN-FAN COOLERS (FLOW METER) FIN-FAN COOLERS (ALTERNATE METHOD)

a Slowly open port 3-way plug valve. Adjust
opening until person at flow meter
registers approximately a 17.5-gpm flow
rate.
a Slowly open port “C” at 3-way plug valve.
Adjust opening until person at pressure
gauges registers a differential pressure of
approximately 4 psid between the inlet
and outlet. (4 psid = 17.5 gpm)

• Slowly open port “C” at 3-way plug valve. Adjust opening until person at flow meter
registers approximately a 17.5-gpm flow rate.
• Allow pump to operate for 2 to 5 minutes, then shut down pump and inspect screen
for cleanliness.
• Clean and reinstall screen.
• Start pump and allow to run for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes of run time, shut down pump and inspect screen for cleanliness.
• If no leaks are noticed, start pump and run for approximately two hours.
• After two hours, stop pump.
• Remove return line at flush tank and clean screen.
• Reinstall screen and line.
• Continue to flush for another 12 hours.
• After 12 hours, stop pump and inspect screen for contaminates. Continue this
operation until all foreign matter has been removed. Cleanliness is determined when
there is no scale, rust, metal shavings and/or sand visible and grittiness is not
detectable to the touch.
• Draw sample from lube oil tank and send to lab for analysis. Reference TP7701 for
requirements.
• Once cleanliness has been achieved, remove screen.

TP7703 Rev. 1.1

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO) Page 3 of 5
GE Power LM6000 – Universal Gen II
Gas Power Systems Operation & Maintenance

• Remove hoses and connections.

• Reinstate all piping and valves.
• Clean and stow flushing equipment.
• Return to TP7701 Field Flushing Turbine Lube Oil System procedure.

Flushing Generator Fin Fan Coolers

• Fill flush oil tank with specified Mineral Lube Oil.

• Connect flush tank heater electrical lead to electrical power supply.
• Energize heater and heat turbine lube oil to 120 °F to 140° F. Allow sufficient time for
oil to reach correct temperature and stabilize.
• Install “100-Mesh” screen (CON, Item 1) on return side of flush tank.
• Connect flush supply line from tank to flush pump.
• Connect flush line from flush pump to cooler inlet.
• Connect flush return line from cooler discharge flush tank.
• Open flushing tank suction and return valves.
• Start pump and quickly observe for leaks. If leaks occur, shut down pump, repair
leaks and restart.
• Allow pump to operate for 2 to 5 minutes, then shut down pump and inspect screen for
cleanliness.
• Clean and reinstall screen.
• Start pump and allow to run for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes of run time, shut down pump and inspect screen for cleanliness.
• If no leaks are noticed, start pump and run for approximately two hours.
• After two hours, stop pump.
• Remove return line at flush tank and clean screen.
• Reinstall screen and line.
• Continue to flush for another 12 hours.
• After 12 hours, stop pump and inspect screen for contaminates. Continue this
operation until all foreign matter has been removed. Cleanliness is determined when
there is no scale, rust, metal shavings and/or sand visible and grittiness is not
detectable to the touch.

TP7703 Rev. 1.1

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO) Page 4 of 5
GE Power LM6000 – Universal Gen II
Gas Power Systems Operation & Maintenance

• Draw sample from lube oil tank and send to lab for analysis. Reference TP7702 for
requirements.
• Once cleanliness has been achieved, remove screen.
• Remove hoses and connections.
• Reinstate all piping and valves.
• Clean and stow flushing equipment.
• Return to Field Flushing Mineral Lube Oil System procedure.

TP7703 Rev. 1.1

Fin/Fan Lube Oil Cooler Flushing (TLO/MLO) Page 5 of 5