Practicing Oil Analysis January 2002
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I recently received an e-mail from a colleague seeking my opinion about a specific sampling philosophy. Referring to mobile equipment such as excavators, scrapers and dozers, he asked if good oil...
As the practice of oil analysis and oil sampling evolves from a “whatever works” attitude to a more defined trade skill, techniques and procedures must also evolve. The principles behind oil...
It is well known that regular oil analysis is useful in monitoring the condition of engines, turbines and other oil lubricated equipment. The same can be said for transformer oils used to insulate...
For some companies inadvertent or unintentional mixing of fluids and oils is a frequently encountered problem. Under these circumstances, mixing may be the result of improper markings on...
Using statistics to set oil analysis alarms and limits is a powerful and time-saving tool that allows the analyst to focus attention on those machines that are believed to be in trouble. Typically,...
Like most industries, the papermaking industry is highly competitive, requiring maximum equipment reliability and minimum unplanned downtown. Since many mills are one- or two-line operations...
History:R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company had been performing lubricant condition monitoring on its equipment for 20 years. A few years ago, the Predictive Maintenance Group in the Utilities...
For those just getting started in the oil analysis game, the learning curve can initially seem steep and daunting. Technical jargon such as elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared...
The Basics Diesel engines, just like many other lubricated machines, are susceptible to wear from silt particles in the 1-10 µm range. While in hydraulic systems and other components, optical...
One cold, gray, Canadian-winter day, a gearbox sample was sent to a lab for ferrographic analysis. The ferrogram showed a series of strange and rather unusual red fibers not commonly found in a...
Moisture in oil is one of the most serious contaminants and its presence must be carefully monitored in lubricating oils. From the simple nonquantitative crackle tests to the sophisticated Karl...
Many would-be reliability improvements stall due to a lack of data, and as a result, folks are unwilling or unable to make a decision that will allow the project to move forward. However, decisions...
A world-class lubrication and lubricant analysis program requires individuals with world-class skills. While lube technicians should be properly trained, other individuals in the organization, such as managers, should be aware of the program's goals, primary benefits, and fundamental tenets in order to have the site succeed in lubrication excellence as a whole.
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