HYDROGEN COOLED GENERATOR LUBRICANT DRAIN SYSTEM

• Main Authors: KNUIJT HANS, RAFTELIS FOTIOS, ANTALEK JAMES DANIEL, O'DELL KEVIN JON, SCARLATA STEVEN PAUL, ANDRITZ JEFFREY JAMES, GEORGE ANTHONY JAMES, MAGRO ABBY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.07.2011
• Subjects: BLASTING; CRANKCASE VENTILATING; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; HEATING; LIGHTING; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; SEPARATION; STEAM ENGINES; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

A hydrogen cooled generator includes a lubricant drain system. The lubricant drain system includes a hydrogen detraining tank having a hollow interior portion. A sensor is operatively mounted in the hydrogen detraining tank. The sensor is configured and disposed to detect an interface zone between an amount of lubricant and an amount of hydrogen gas in the hollow interior portion. A drain line is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen detraining tank. The drain line includes a first end portion that is exposed in the hollow interior portion and a second end portion. A valve is mounted in the drain line. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and the valve. The controller is configured to selectively open the valve allowing a portion of the amount of lubricant to flow from the hollow interior portion when the interface zone is above the first end portion of the drain line.