Enhim
Conference
Specialists fr om the Research Centre of Enhim took part in the IV All-Russian Scientific and Technical Conference “Modern Trends in the Development of the Fire-Resistant Turbine Oil Market and Operational Experience at Thermal and Nuclear Power Plants.” The event brought together over 70 representatives from power generation companies, lubricant and equipment manufacturers, as well as scientific and design organisations.
Ekaterina Sonina, Head of the Enhim Research Centre and Candidate of Chemical Sciences, highlighted inconsistencies in current regulatory documentation governing the operation of triaryl phosphate–based fire-resistant oils. Unclear requirements for water content and acid number can lead to accelerated hydrolysis, corrosion, and sludge formation. A practical solution was demonstrated during the oil system flushing at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant.
Enhim specialists strictly monitored water content, acid number, and lacquer formation potential, and also assessed water-soluble acids and dissolved sludge.
“Over 11 months of operation — even with minimal water ingress — the oil maintained high hydrolytic stability, with no increase in lacquer or sludge formation,” summarised Ekaterina Sonina.
Enhim experts also pointed out that current standards for fire-resistant oils focus exclusively on physical and chemical parameters, while ignoring the isomeric composition, which directly influences the product’s toxicity.
“The relevance of this issue is confirmed by practice,” noted Anastasia Lukina, Senior Engineer at the Enhim Research Centre. “There have been cases wh ere the actual component composition does not match the declared one. A higher proportion of toxic isomers affects the hazard classification and tightens occupational safety requirements.”
To address this challenge, the experts proposed including isomeric composition requirements in regulatory standards as a mandatory criterion for product certification.
Conference participants also discussed import substitution, oil quality criteria, and restoration of oil performance properties. Selected presentations, including those from Enhim, will be published in the proceedings of JSC VTI (All-Russian Thermal Engineering Institute).
Ekaterina Sonina, Head of the Enhim Research Centre and Candidate of Chemical Sciences, highlighted inconsistencies in current regulatory documentation governing the operation of triaryl phosphate–based fire-resistant oils. Unclear requirements for water content and acid number can lead to accelerated hydrolysis, corrosion, and sludge formation. A practical solution was demonstrated during the oil system flushing at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant.
Enhim specialists strictly monitored water content, acid number, and lacquer formation potential, and also assessed water-soluble acids and dissolved sludge.
“Over 11 months of operation — even with minimal water ingress — the oil maintained high hydrolytic stability, with no increase in lacquer or sludge formation,” summarised Ekaterina Sonina.
Enhim experts also pointed out that current standards for fire-resistant oils focus exclusively on physical and chemical parameters, while ignoring the isomeric composition, which directly influences the product’s toxicity.
“The relevance of this issue is confirmed by practice,” noted Anastasia Lukina, Senior Engineer at the Enhim Research Centre. “There have been cases wh ere the actual component composition does not match the declared one. A higher proportion of toxic isomers affects the hazard classification and tightens occupational safety requirements.”
To address this challenge, the experts proposed including isomeric composition requirements in regulatory standards as a mandatory criterion for product certification.
Conference participants also discussed import substitution, oil quality criteria, and restoration of oil performance properties. Selected presentations, including those from Enhim, will be published in the proceedings of JSC VTI (All-Russian Thermal Engineering Institute).
