How long after initial operation should coalescer samples be taken?

Coalescer samples should be taken after an initial operation period that allows the system to stabilize and the coalescer to effectively separate water from the fuel. Sampling too soon may not yield representative results of the fuel quality, as the fuel may not have passed through the filtration and separation processes sufficiently.

The choice of taking samples after 5 minutes is based on allowing just enough time for the coalescer system to start operating effectively, while still catching any immediate impurities that might affect performance right after startup. This timing ensures that operators can promptly address any contamination issues before they affect the overall operation of the gas turbine system. While longer durations may be suggested, they could delay critical assessments of water presence in the fuel, which can be detrimental if not caught early.

The retrieval of samples at any other time frame provided would not prioritize the immediacy of assessing the fuel quality right after initial operation, which is crucial for maintaining efficient and safe operations.