Where electrical energy is produced by a hydropower plant, rotating parts are exposed to water. These
rotating parts are lubricated by grease or lubricating oil. Wear and abrasive particles in the turbined water
such as sand attack the bearings. This circumstance is a potential source of oil leaks, which poses a risk
to the aquatic environment or drinking water supplies downstream of the turbine.
The challenge
In case of an oil leak at a large hydropower plant,
several litres of lubricating oil may be released into
the environment. Beside threats to the environment,
broken bearings reduce efficiency during operation
and therefore reduce the produced energy.
Depending on the turbine, different components areaffected by oil leaks:
Francis turbine: hydrodynamic bearing,
adjustable guide vanes, hydraulic servos
The solution
With the OilGuard 2 W Sigrist offers an instrument
for continuous monitoring of water in hydropower
applications. It can be used to detect oil traces from
petroleum-based lubricants. This allows hydropower
plant operators to monitor turbines during operation
without a need to carry out laboratory tests or a
shutdown of the plant.
The continuous measurment of oil traces allows the
hydropower plant operator to quickly identify an
oil leak. The operator is able to initiate immediate
measures and prevent further damage to the turbine.
Such rapid and appropriate measures also minimise
the amount of contaminated water released into
the environment and can prevent difficulties with
the water protection authorities or possible claims
for compensation from the public. In most cases
of a shutdown, the loss of energy produced and damage
to the environment exceeds the cost of
the measuring device.
The continuous monitoring of oil traces also provides
operators valuable information about the condition
of the turbines in operation. For instance, it allows to
plan upcoming maintenance work or better estimate
the addition of lubricant.
Technical details
The Sigrist OilGuard 2 W A is a continuously operating
instrument that reacts reliably and quickly to the
smallest traces of oil. The instrument measures the
fluorescence* properties of hydrocarbons in petroleum-
based lubricants, fuels and oils when they are
mixed with the water. Due to this measuring principle,
the measurement is not negatively affected by
turbidity. Thanks to the non-contact free-fall measurement,
the OilGuard 2 W does not suffer any
falsification of measured values as a result of window
contamination. In addition, the integrated automatic
calibration function checks and recalibrates the
device fully automatically during measurement
operation. If the device detects a measurement error,
it automatically issues an error message. This offers
the user maximum safety and maximum device
availability.
*Other sources of fluorescence in the water have an
influence on the measurement and require additional
evaluation.
Further applications
Detect oil leaks in the drainage water of power
station central and reservoirs
Detect traces of oil in the drainage water of waste
disposal sites
Responsible for the application: Water, Industrial Processes, Beverages & Food for the regions: AG, LU, NW, OW, VS, BS, BL, SO, BE, FR, NE, VD, GE and JU
Responsible for the application: Water, Industrial Processes, Beverages & Food for the regions: TI, GR, UR, GL, SZ, ZG, ZH, SH, SG, TG, AR and AI Traffic & Environment: whole Switzerland
Seppitag: 19. März 2025, Ostern: 18. – 21. April 2025, Auffahrt: 29. Mai 2025, Pfingstmontag: 9. Juni 2025, Fronleichnam: 19. Juni 2025, Bundesfeiertag: 01. August 2025, Maria Himmelfahrt: 15. August 2025, Allerheiligen: 01. November 2025, Maria Empfängnis: 08. Dezember 2025, Betriebsferien: 24. Dezember 2025 – 04. Januar 2026
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday 08:00am–12:00pm und 1:30pm–5:00pm
Public & company holidays:
St Joseph's Day: 19. March 2025, Easter: 18. – 21. April 2025, Ascension Day: 29. May 2025, Whit Monday: 09. June 2025, Corpus Christi: 19. June 2025, Federal Holiday: 01. August 2025, Assumption Day: 15. August 2025, All Saints Day: 01. November 2025, Conception of Mary: 08. December 2025, Company holidays: 24. December 2025 – 04. January 2026