Dissolved Gas Analysis

Assessing the condition and early fault detection for wind turbines has become a common and essential practice to improve performance. An important part of the wind turbine regular function is the inspection of bearings hot spots. Bearing failures develop over time but in the very early stages display abnormal operation by a build-up of gas in the grease. Early detection of bearing failures allow for converting unplanned into scheduled maintenance thereby reducing maintenance cost and increasing production.

Dissolved gas analysis is based on the principles used for more than fifty years for monitoring the condition of oil-filled transformers. It has become an accurate and compelling approach to evaluate the operating condition of transformers.

Extraction

Grease extraction to evaluate the condition of the bearings. Where hot spots in the bearings, excessive temperatures due to abnormal friction develops and gases are formed which dissolve in the grease. Consequently, the presence of gases is an early indicator of deterioration before any serious damage occurs.

Analysis

The Ventus group team collaborates with our international lab partners to analyse the extracted grease sample. The analyses are made by measuring the content of dissolved gases in a sample of lube grease.

Reporting

After the analyses are completed, the report will identify at a very early stage whether or not the bearing has a hot spot and may fail.