Steps to Consider for Keeping Lube Oil Contamination under Control
We all know that lubrication is the most important factor, whether it's an engine or any moving part, for which there is tremendous friction. Therefore, appropriate Lube Oil Contamination must be carried out to reduce the heat produced by the friction and not to progressively reduce its quality.
The oil analysis is a part of the routine maintenance program in which a sample of the lubricating oil will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The oil can be subjected to tests such as viscosity, dilution of fuel oil, water, solid impurities, etc.
Steps to Consider for Keeping Lube Oil Contamination under Control
The factors that work together to threaten the reliability of equipment can be effectively controlled with cost-effective preventive maintenance techniques. The simplest and easiest way to exclude contaminants is to avoid practices that may expose lubricants to contaminants. A multi-faceted program that includes simple and proactive steps can help to overcome the contamination.
Detection: The first step is often the most difficult. Sampling and fluid testing are designed to help you critically evaluate a set of information about the equipment: the application, the industry, the environment in which the unit is located, the particular fluid used, the condition of the lubricant and many other factors. Fluid sampling results can help you quickly identify next steps, and to perform a cost-benefit analysis to help you implement best practices.
Prevention: Like almost all transmissions, tanks and storage are designed to breathe, leaving only clean, dry air to enter the system tops the list of steps to follow. Replacing the standard breather/filler plugs with a desiccant breather immediately prevents moisture and reduces particle filtration from 40 to 3 microns. With a wide variety of sizes, desiccants and choose the options that meet your needs.
Removal: Filtration devices must be used to remove particulates and moisture while preserving the life of the oil. These are not just tools for emergency corrective action when it comes to contaminated lubricants and fluids. They should be used at regular and scheduled filter intervals to help remove contaminants entering the system or generated in the equipment.
The Bottom Line
Fluid degradation can be significantly reduced by proper Lube Oil Contamination, which effectively starts with condition assessment, breather protection, and offline filtration. Now it's easier than ever to implement best-practice contamination control techniques, maintain clean, dry lubricants and achieve the resulting profitability.
