Protecting Gears in Wind Power Applications

In wind power stations both fluid (lubricating oils) and consistent (lubricating greases) lubricants are used. The main task of the lubricant is to ensure reliable operation of the machine elements. Important lubrication points in wind turbines are in the main gear drive, the yaw system gear, the main and generator bearing, the pitch adjustment unit and the nacelle slewing ring. Lubricants must satisfy a number of performance requirements that are unique to this industry. The turbines are located all over the world, on mountain tops, along coastlines, in deserts, etc. So, in addition to the longevity issues, lubricants must be able to withstand a variety of environmental conditions, including temperature extremes and moisture, in addition to being able to resist corrosion and oxidation. All these characteristics should be maintained over an extended period of time. Changes to the design of wind turbines create additional demands on lubricants that are used in the wind power industry. As interest in the industry grows, engineers are working to improve the efficiency and the output of wind turbines. Gearbox designs contain more equipment designed to produce more work, and more work means the generation of more heat in the gearbox. As a result, lubricants must function at higher operating loads while helping to reduce temperatures in the gearbox.

In addition, plant operators require prolonged oil service life and grease relubrication intervals. While the engine oil of a car is changed after 15,000 to 30,000 km, which corresponds to an oil service life of 300 to 600 hours at an average speed of 50 km/h, the gear oil in a wind turbine is changed after as many as 25,000 to 50,000 service hours. Commodity lubricants as defined by various standards cannot meet the expectations of today’s wind industry. Even in today’s widely used turbines with a power output of 2 to 3MW, conventional lubricants are tried to their limits. Turbines designed to generate 5MW pose conditions that are simply too much for the lubricants as described in various international standards, and there are already 9MW units that are being tested!

Still, the role of lubricants is widely underestimated in the wind energy sector, although it has a decisive influence on the performance, efficiency, maintenance requirements and service life of the equipment. An additional aspect to consider in wind power stations is that maintenance and repair jobs often have to be carried out under adverse conditions. This problem will be aggravated in the high-capacity offshore wind parks that are going to be built (e.g. when unplanned maintenance becomes necessary during unfavorable weather.) If conditions are too harsh, a defective component may even mean that the turbine is forced to remain idle for some time—downtimes of several months are quite conceivable. High-grade lubricants can help prevent such failures and extend maintenance intervals. If just a single inspection is rendered unnecessary, this will compensate for the total lubricant costs arising during the whole service life of a plant.

Wide scope of requirements

These results, however, are insufficient for assessing the gear oil performance for wind turbines. Further tests should be performed. In addition to an improved scuffing load resistance at higher circumferential speed, the Klüber Lubrication special oils achieve the load stage > 10 in the micro-pitting test, classified as “high”. This high micro-pitting resistance is not only achieved at 90°C but also at an injection temperature of 60°C (common in wind power stations). The Klüber lubricants were subjected to adequate tests at both temperatures.

Influence of low speeds on the wear rate—FZG wear test results of high-performance gear oils of Klüber Lubrication versus a mineral oil. Test conditions: wheelset C, temperature 60 °C, load stage 12, circumferential 0.05 m/s

A trouble-free operation of a wind-power station is also determined by the anti-wear properties of the lubricant at low gear speeds, as the planetary gear stage is run at the lowest speed. Here a test method developed by FAG provides useful information. The Klüber Lubrication gear oils pass the test run with wear being below 40 mg and therefore fall under the “low” wear category, which is the best possible classification. Gear efficiency is determined to a large extent by the friction characteristics of the lubricating oil. The friction coefficients of different base oils can be determined on the FZG test rig. The new gear oils reduce temperatures by as much as 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and power losses by as much as 18 percent when compared to standard gear oils. By lowering the friction component in a wind station gearbox, you improve efficiency, increase power output and generate additional income. How much a manufacturer will increase the energy efficiency of a gearbox by using high-quality gear oil depends on the gear type. The biggest increase can be realized in gear types that are challenged in normally lower efficiencies such as worm drives. Klüber’s worm gear test rig runs at approximately 60 percent efficiency with a mineral oil. With the PAO gear oil, efficiency goes up to 70 percent and with the polyglycol oil it rises to 78 percent. As the efficiency increases, the temperature of the gear box drops. This decrease in temperature increases the life of the gear oil, the seals and the gearbox as a whole. This may not sound like a big deal if you have one or two gearboxes in your plant, but if you have hundreds of gearboxes, then that energy usage really adds up.

Operators of wind power stations recognize the value of the new high-performance lubricants. The longer lubrication cycle they offer means less downtime and fewer costs associated with maintenance. Efficiency increases, saving money and earning money, and, thanks to good wear protection, improved micro-pitting resistance and the performance of the gear oils, the lifecycle of the turbine itself increases, saving the operator additional money.

What makes lubricants so important for the effective operation of a wind power station?

In many components—in wind power plants as well as in all other branches of industry—the lubricant has a decisive role as a design element in its own right. Wherever machine elements move against one another, lubricants reduce friction and wear, thus influencing the function of the component. Klüber Lubrication attaches major importance to the close cooperation between the component maker and the lubricant manufacturer at an early stage of any new development. Klüber Lubrication initiates individual development partnerships in order to optimise products for the customer, generate or extend innovative headway, increase productivity and save costs. What helps us to do this, besides its R&D competences, is a unique test bay enabling mechano-dynamical tests on more than 100 test setups. This is where the performance capabilities of Klüber’s lubricants are put to test—by standardized DIN, ISO or ASTM tests, on test rigs developed by Klüber, or by means of individual component tests. These cooperations between OEMs and Klüber Lubrication equal win-win partnerships: Renowned turbine and component manufacturers use products developed by Klüber Lubrication for initial fill and recommend them to operators.

These advantages contribute considerably to increasing the efficiency and energy output of a wind turbine—worth up to several thousand dollars over the operating time of the plant. As a result, the value placed upon high-performance lubricants continues to increase. What was once a commodity selected on the basis of price is now considered by many as a machine element, carefully specified in much the same way gears and other components are specified. And, like quality components, specialty lubricants promise performance, deliver savings and ensure the reliability of wind power stations around the world.

Open gears—special tasks

Other demanding points to lubricate in wind turbines are the open slew ring and blade pitch gears. While the turbine is running, the lubricant tends to slowly move outwards along the tooth flanks, giving way to increasing wear on the teeth and producing stains on the unit when eventually it drops from the gears. With Klüberplex AG 11-462, Klüber Lubrication has developed a specialty lubricant with a high load-carrying capacity and good adhesion even at very low temperatures, which ensures reliable protection against wear and much less staining of the unit.

Experience

More than 1,000 wind power stations are already lubricated with the high-performance gear oils of Klüber Lubrication and many others are to follow. Operators are convinced of the good wear protection for both the gear and the rolling bearings, the improved micro-pitting resistance as well as the high purity throughout the service life of the gear oils. Also, economic aspects like high operational reliability, long oil change intervals and low friction values lead to cost reductions. The service package consisting of extensive consulting by the Klüber Lubrication sales team as well as oil analyses ensure that operators will always be provided with the lubricant tailored to suit the individual requirements of wind power stations.