The water turbine wicket gates at Agus 5 are susceptible to excessive corrosion due to improper and irregular lubrication of the bushings on the shaft. This issue causes the gates to stick, resulting in significant damage to the turbine and posing risks to plant personnel during disassembly.
To address this, a single-line automatic lubrication system was installed to lubricate all bushings at set time intervals. The system uses a calibrated grease injector to ensure all lubrication points are properly serviced. Once lubrication is complete, the system automatically shuts off via a pressure switch.
Benefits:
- All 280 lubrication points of the turbine, particularly the wicket gate bushings, are evenly and timely lubricated.
- Regular and on-time greasing of the bushings is achieved even while the turbine is in operation.
- Safety issues related to the inaccessibility of lubrication points have been resolved.
- The efficiency of opening and closing the gates has improved.
- Bearing life has increased due to consistent and proper lubrication.
By implementing the Automatic Lubrication System, the National Power Corporation Hydro Power Plant at Agus 5 has significantly enhanced the maintenance and operational efficiency of its water turbines. This solution not only ensures optimal equipment performance but also addresses critical safety concerns for plant personnel.
