Finding ways to reduce operational costs can be a challenge for gas plants, especially when supporting multiple cities. In the case of Choongnam City Gas, their six stationary gas engine units were a significant part of their operational expenses. The standard drain interval for each engine was previously set at only 1,000 hours, which was costing Choongnam City Gas in increased downtime and maintenance costs.

“ The success of our plant depends on getting the most out of our machines and optimizing our operations wherever we can,” says manager Young Min Lee. “Any opportunity to extend our drain intervals and avoid downtime without compromising our stringent contamination controls warranted serious consideration.”

Choongnam City Gas agreed to test SENTRON LD 5000 in their six stationary gas engines in hopes of finding more innovative ways to reduce operational costs, without sacrificing engine reliability and durability. Test results were remarkable for SENTRON LD 5000. After an impressive 2,000 hours of operation, SENTRON LD 5000 maintained its viscosity grade, as well as Acid Number control. SENTRON LD 5000 showed on average 52% nitration reserve and 27% oxidation reserve when tested at the 2,000 hour mark, a testament to the prolonged life of the oil. Beyond this, wear metals, including iron, copper, aluminum, tin and lead, all remained extremely low for the six engines trialed.

“The testing we did with SENTRON LD 5000 was an eye opener for us. There was no question we needed to make a change,” explained Lee. “We appreciated the help we received in not only executing our trials, but also making the complete switch in our plant.”

Choongnam City Gas increased their drain interval to 2,000 hours after making the switch to SENTRON LD 5000. The plant was able to significantly reduce engine downtime and maintenance costs, while maximizing their efficiency by aligning scheduled downtime with other maintenance activities.