Lubricating Oil Skids to API Standard
A lubricating oil skid is a packaged system designed to supply clean, pressurised lubrication oil at the correct temperature to rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines, pumps, and gearboxes. These systems play a vital role in ensuring reliability and efficiency by reducing friction, cooling bearings, and protecting machinery from wear.
API Standards for Lubrication Skids
Lubricating oil skids are typically designed and manufactured in accordance with API (American Petroleum Institute) standards, most commonly API 614 – Lubrication, Shaft-Sealing, and Control Oil Systems for General-Purpose or Special-Purpose Applications. This standard sets guidelines for design, materials, filtration, and testing to ensure robust and consistent performance in critical industrial applications.
Key API Requirements Include...
System Design and Layout
Modular, accessible, and maintainable arrangement of pumps, filters, coolers, and reservoirs. Reservoirs must have a 3 minute capacity for general purpose or a 5 minute capacity for special purpose. Systems can be either freestanding or drop in style.
Filtration
High-efficiency filters to maintain oil cleanliness within specified ISO code levels.
Redundancy
Duplex filters and standby pumps to guarantee uninterrupted lubrication.
Instrumentation and Controls
Pressure, temperature, and flow monitoring per API standards for safety and reliability.
Testing and Certification
Factory acceptance tests (FAT) and performance verification to API 614 compliance.
Applications
API-rated lube oil skids are widely used in:
- Gas and steam turbines
- Large compressors and pumps
- Petrochemical and refinery equipment
- Power generation and heavy industrial machinery
Denco Fluid Systems’ years of experience enable us to design, build, test and supply bespoke Lubricating oil systems to API 614 standard to suit customers specific requirements for critical applications.