Procedures for Lube Oil Commissioning

Hydro-static Test
Pressurized piping of the Oil System will be hydrostatic tested as an assembly with oil to
1 times the pump discharge relief valve set pressure. The test pressure will be
maintained at least 30 minutes without any observed leaks. Non-pressurized lines such
as suction, relief-valve-return, and Back Pressure Regulator Valve return will be checked
for leaks during flush and operational testing.

System Flush
Prior to operational testing, the Oil System will be independently flushed with oil until a
maximum particle count in accordance with Table D-6 of API 614 is achieved. The pump
discharge temperature will be controlled at 155 5 F and the customer connections will
be re-circulated back to the reservoir with temporary shop piping. Integral lube systems
will be re-circulated back to the reservoir after the last control valve, but before the
equipment bearings. Temporary shop piping will include a pressure tap, flow turbine,
metering valve, and a 100 mesh screen. Any oil leaks will be corrected and the Oil
System will be verified to the respective P&I diagram and ISA data sheets.

Operational Test
A four-hour operational test of the Oil System will be performed under normal operating
pressures and flow rates with the same temporary shop piping used for the flush. The
header temperature will be controlled at 120 4 F prior to start and during this test.
During the 4-hour operational run, the following will be conducted:
1. Before running this test all permissive starts shall be checked and set points
confirmed to the loop drawings.
2. With the main or auxiliary oil pump running under normal conditions, the Oil
System will be checked for leaks.
3. With the main or auxiliary oil pump running under normal conditions, the
capability of the control valves to maintain system stability will be demonstrated
by logging the following data at 20-minute intervals during the 4-hour operational
test.
a. Main Oil pump delivery pressure
b. Aux. Oil pump delivery pressure
c.
Heat Exchanger inlet and outlet temperature
d. Filter differential pressure
e. Header oil pressure (downstream of filters)
f.
Pressure and flow at customer connection (lube oil supply)
g. Pressure and flow at customer connection (control oil supply)
h. Check accumulator charge pressure and functionality, insure system is properly
valved to protect the equipment.
i.
4. With both oil pumps running, the main oil pump discharge valve will be closed to
demonstrate full accumulation pressure of the pumps relief valve. Full
accumulation pressure will be recorded and the discharge valve re-opened. The

same procedure will be performed on the auxiliary oil pump and relief valve. The
full accumulation pressure will be steel stamped on flange rim of the relief valves
after the operational test.
5. With the main oil pump operating under normal conditions, a filter and cooler
switchover will be performed. Minimum header pressure will be recorded to
ensure that it does not drop to the Start Auxiliary Oil Pump set point.
6. With the main oil pump operating under normal conditions, the auxiliary oil pump
will be started (two-pump operation), ran, and then stopped (two to one pump
operation). Maximum and minimum pressure limits at the header and customer
connections will be recorded to ensure that relief valves are not lifted and that
delivery pressures do not drop below the midpoint between normal operating and
shutdown conditions. While both pumps are in operation the % open of Back
Pressure Regulator Valve will be visually checked and recorded.
7. With the main oil pump running under normal conditions, an automatic pump
switchover will be performed by tripping the main motor. The auxiliary oil pump
will be started automatically and return the system to normal operating
conditions. The minimum pressure limits of the customer connection (lube oil
supply) will be recorded to ensure that delivery pressures do not drop below the
midpoint between the normal operating and shutdown pressures.
8. With the main or auxiliary oil pump running under maximum operating pressure,
the internal side-to-side leakage of the continuous-flow transfer valves will be
measured. Leakage will be reported in liters per minute, however, if no more
than 100 milliliters can be collected per minute, leakage will be reported as zero.
9. Control Oil Supply will be demonstrated to show valve response from minimum to
maximum flow conditions,
10. At the end of the four-hour operational test the Oil System will be shut down and
the cleanliness of the Oil System checked. If the maximum particle count
exceeds Table D-6 of API 614, the System or lube system will be restarted and
checked every hour thereafter until this standard has been met.
11. During Normal system operation, after the 4 hour Operational test, trip the main
oil supply pump off-line. The Aux Pump should Auto start. Measuring the oil
supply pressure as close to the Shutdown transmitter as possible (with FAST
Track Data collector), monitor the pressure pulsation amplitude to insure the
pressure does not fall below the trip set point.
12. Switch the supply pumps: (a) Normal supply operations, then start the auxiliary
supply oil pump. This will end up with both oil pumps running and one seal oil
pump. (b) With Both Supply Oil Pumps (Main & Aux) running, and one seal oil
pump running, trip the Aux Oil pump off line. This will simulate the second half of
the pump swap over process made by the operators. The end result of this test
is one supply oil pump and one seal oil pump is running. This is often the worst
test for the system (resulting in the lowest dip in bearing oil pressure). It should
be tested with same diligence as Item 10 above.
13. Switch the supply pumps back
14. Obtain Normal System operations again, then trip the seal oil pump off-line. Aux
seal oil pump should start automatically (it may not happen for several minutes
until the level gets low in seal oil overhead tank). Overhead should maintain

pressure with very little pressure drop in the seal system pressure. There is a
potential for low seal oil system pressure (So do not perform this test with the
main compressor running). (Monitor system pressure with FAST Track data
collector)
15. Switch seal Oil Pumps (a) Normal system operation, then trip the main seal oil
pump off-line. This test causes an extra draw on the supply oil system, the
system will operate at a lower pressure, but it should still be high enough to
support the oil supply requirements. The bearing oil supply valve should start to
close to compensate the system requirements. There is a potential for a low oil
pressure trip when performing this test. (b) Now with both seal oil pumps
operating, turn off the auxiliary seal oil supply pump. This causes a sudden
reduction (pressure wave) in the oil supply system. The Pressure should
increase in the supply oil system. The bearing oil supply valve should close to
compensate (Monitor system pressure with FAST Track data collector)
16. Switch Seal oil back
17. Main oil pump running with aux pump start switch in off position, Trip oil system
main oil pump to Check Rundown tank functionality pressure, flow and empty
time to empty.
18. Startup Lube and Seal oil system and let stabilize system.
19. With Main Seal oil pump running and aux Oil pump start switch in the off position,
trip the main seal oil pump to check the seal oil tank supply pressure, flow and
rundown time.

Noise Level Survey

During the 4-hour operational run, a noise level survey of the Oil System will be
performed using a Bruel & Kjaer Model 215 sound level meter. Results will be recorded
at four locations approximately 3 feet from the drip rail and at an elevation of 4 to 5 feet.
Only one pump (customers motor) will be operating during the survey and the
measurements shall include shop background noise. The following scales will be used at
each location:
1. A-Scale
2. All Pass
3. Octave band readings from 63 Hz to 16 kHz