Fluorescence spectroscopy characterization of turbine oil (Caltex Regal R&O 68) used in Samanala Dam hydropower plant in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The energy crisis is a major issue not only in Sri Lanka but also globally. One of the major issues pertaining to this crisis is the extant use of nonrenewable sources such as oil, coal and natural gas. Hydro power is a major renewable energy source that can be used to generate the electricity requirements of Sri Lanka. It is necessary for a hydropower turbine to function efficiently without any failures to generate electricity. The lubricants used in gearboxes of turbines play a major role in the proper functioning of hydropower turbines. Here, researchers have studied spectroscopic differences of new and discarded Caltex Regal R & O 68 using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Among spectra obtained from above spectroscopic techniques, the spectra obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy had a significant difference between two lubricant samples. The highest fluorescence intensity was recorded in the fresh/ new oil sample while the lowest intensity was in the oil which was discarded by the hydro turbines. Additionally, in this study, it was revealed how fluorescence intensity of turbine oil (Caltex Regal R&O 68) used in Samanala hydropower plant station varies with different temperatures 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, and 200 °C. Moreover, 1-Naphthalenamine, N – phenyl was identified as the fluorophore used in Caltex Regal R&O 68 lubricant. Therefore, the fluorescence technique can be used as a tool for monitoring the quality of  hydropower turbine oils.

KEYWORDS: Oil degradation, Antioxidants, Fluorescence intensity, Renewable energy, Fluorophore