Copy of Hydro T-EL (2)

HYDRO T-EL™

Hydropower Turbine Lubricant

VBASE® Hydro T-EL™ is a high-performance environmentally friendly hydropower turbine oil meeting EPA standards for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) according to VGP (Vessel General Permit) and  VIDA (Vessel Incidental Discharge Act). Hydro T-EL is formulated with a biobased, readily biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-bioaccumulating VBASE® base oil that has achieved USDA Biopreferred status, certified NSF HX-1, and on the EU Ecolabel LuSC-list.

Available in drum, tote, and bulk quantities.

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Hydro Leader Interview

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Hydro T-EL™ Customer Benefits

Thermo-oxidative stability

Long service life across a range of temperatures and enhanced resistance to coking and varnishing

Excellent Solvency

A cleaner product on changeover with reduced varnishing and deposits

Rapid Air Release

Reduced foaming and minimized risk of cavitation in high circulation applications and small reservoirs

Rust and Corrosion

Protection for both steel and yellow metals

Broad Compatibility

Compatibility with base oils, additives, seals and coatings means a reduced risk of fouling, leaks, or salting out of incompatible components

High Viscosity Index

Consistent viscosity across a broad temperature range

High Heat Capacity

Removal of heat from rotating components provides consistent temperature profiles within the lubricating film

High Load Carrying Capacity

Ensures performance across all lubrication regimes with exemplary performance under high speed and pressure

Hydro T-EL Data

Hydro T-EL data

VBASE in NAtel's Restoration Hydro Turbine

Natel Energy, Inc. is utilizing VBASE® Hydro T-EL as a barrier oil in their proprietary Restoration Hydro Turbines.

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Natel Restoration Hydro Turbine installed near Graz, Austria. BULBO D062, 62-cm-diameter, 15KW capacity.
Natel’s Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT) runner design is a breakthrough in enabling large fish, such as eel and salmonids, to pass safely through a hydropower turbine operating with comparable speed and efficiency to a conventional turbine. Hydropower plants using RHT runners may be allowed to operate without fine fish exclusion screens, simply passing the fish safely through the turbines. This can allow plants to meet their environmental sustainability requirements with the simplest and least expensive operational approach.

Hydro T-eL in Natel's Sauerbrunn Hydro Project in Austria

Natel Sauerbrunn Hydro Project

Sauerbrunn Project Stats

Capacity: 15 kW
RHT Unit Size: BULBO D062
Head: 1.9 m (6 ft)
Commission Date: October 2022
Natel Turbine with VBASE Sauerbrunn

Großsulz, Austria

The Sauerbrunn Hydro Project is located on the Mühlgang, a small tributary of the River Mur near Graz, Austria. The site is adjacent to an existing bypass channel, which returns the flow to the River Mur after it passes from the Mühlgang through the RHT. The project features a fully-submersible RHT, which was installed for Austrian utility company Energie Steiermark in the fall of 2022 and is now fully operational. The Sauerbrunn site provides fish-safe renewable power to homes in the local community of Großsulz.

 

(Sauerbrunn site information provided by Natel Energy. Visit https://www.natelenergy.com/projects/muhlgang-hydro for details)

GE Hydro Solutions Global Center of Excellence

GE Hydro Solutions’ Global Center of Excellence in Birr Switzerland verified the performance of VBASE Hydro T-EL on a combined thrust/guide bearing test rig.

GE Renewable Energy test rig at GE Hydro Solutions Center of Excellence in Birr, Switzerland
GE Renewable Energy test rig at GE Hydro Solutions Center of Excellence in Birr, Switzerland

Hydro T-EL performed well in all operating conditions including high load and low speed operation (mixed friction regime). There was no damage to bearing pad surface even after high load test. The rig could not induce failure of the fluid film.

At speeds of 400-800 rpm and applied loads up to 13 MPa, VBASE Hydro T-EL maintained a uniform hydrodynamic film, protecting the bearing and runner surfaces from damage.

VBASE at Vattenfall's Porjus Facility

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The large-scale installation of VBASE Hydro T-EL™ at Porjus Hydroelectric Power Station in Sweden began in late Jan 2024. This is an extended field demonstration on the U8 turbine in Europe’s preeminent hydropower research and development facility operated by Porjus Hydropower Centre Foundation, a joint collaboration between ANDRITZ Hydro, GE Renewable Energy, and Vattenfall.

The trial at the Porjus Hydroelectric Power Station will further validate the performance of VBASE Hydro T-EL turbine oil as a high performance and environmentally acceptable lubricant for use in hydropower.

For more information or to provide feedback regarding data collection planned, contact our team here.

Images courtesy of Porjus Hydroelectric Power Station

Sales and Support

Contact sales to purchase VBASE Hydro T-EL in drum, tote, and bulk quantities.

When provided with samples of your current formulated oil, the VBASE® team will work with you to validate compatibility to ensure a smooth transition.

If your application requires another viscosity grade or has unique performance demands, contact us for custom formulations of VBASE Hydro T-EL.

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