Simple Technique for Visually Inspecting Oil Sump Bottoms

Bob Maglitto, Kinder Morgan Inc.
Tags: onsite oil analysis, oil analysis

We have been trying to determine the condition of the oil sump tank bottoms on our turbine packages. We came up with a pretty easy (and cheap) way to inspect them. Use a 1/2" PVC pipe that is long enough to reach the bottom of the sump. Glue a collar on one end with a piece of clear Lexan glued into it. Feed the pipe into the sump until the "viewing window" is close to the bottom. Then insert a borescope into the pipe.

It works like wearing a divers mask underwater, allowing you to see the debris clearly and then document it's condition. We did this on several units and have found that over the years, a lot of debris collects at the bottom of the tank.

Below are some pictures taken with this this system.

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Sump Debris

Sump Debris