How do you optimize your lubricant change intervals and reduce waste and cost?

1 What is lubricant degradation?

Lubricant degradation is the gradual loss of performance and quality of your oil or grease due to chemical, thermal, or mechanical factors. Lubricant degradation can result in increased friction, wear, corrosion, oxidation, sludge formation, and viscosity changes. Some common signs of lubricant degradation are darkening, foaming, odor, acidity, and sedimentation. Lubricant degradation can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your equipment and increase the risk of breakdowns and accidents.

2 What is lubricant contamination?

Lubricant contamination is the presence of unwanted substances or particles in your oil or grease that can impair its function and damage your machinery. Lubricant contamination can come from external sources, such as dust, dirt, water, fuel, metal shavings, or other fluids, or from internal sources, such as wear debris, oxidation products, or additives. Lubricant contamination can cause abrasion, corrosion, erosion, plugging, overheating, and chemical reactions. Lubricant contamination can also accelerate lubricant degradation and compromise the reliability and safety of your equipment.

3 How to monitor lubricant degradation and contamination?

The best way to monitor lubricant degradation and contamination is to use condition monitoring techniques that measure and analyze the physical and chemical properties of your oil or grease. Condition monitoring can help you identify the type, severity, and source of lubricant degradation and contamination, as well as the condition and performance of your machinery. Condition monitoring can also help you determine the optimal lubricant change intervals and maintenance actions for your equipment.

4 What are the benefits of condition monitoring?

Condition monitoring can bring many advantages to your lubricant management and equipment maintenance, such as increasing efficiency and productivity by reducing friction, wear, and energy consumption. It can also extend the lifespan and availability of your equipment by preventing premature failures and downtime. Furthermore, it can minimize the waste and cost of lubricant consumption and disposal by optimizing lubricant change intervals and avoiding over-lubrication or under-lubrication. Moreover, it can improve safety and environmental compliance of your operations by minimizing the risk of leaks, spills, fires, and emissions.

5 What are the common condition monitoring techniques?

There are several condition monitoring techniques available to assess the condition of your lubricant and machinery. Visual inspection is the simplest technique - it involves checking the color, clarity, level, and appearance of your lubricant for any signs of degradation or contamination. Sampling and analysis is the most comprehensive and accurate technique, as it involves collecting and testing samples of your lubricant for various physical and chemical parameters. On-site testing is a convenient and fast technique that uses portable devices or sensors to measure key indicators of lubricant degradation and contamination. Lastly, online monitoring is an advanced and continuous technique that uses sensors or systems to monitor and transmit data in real-time, so any changes or anomalies can be detected quickly.

6 How to choose the right condition monitoring technique?

When choosing the right condition monitoring technique, you should take into account several factors, such as the type and criticality of your equipment and lubricant, the operating conditions and environment, the objectives and budget of your lubricant management program, and the availability and expertise of your personnel and resources. To ensure you select the best condition monitoring technique for your specific needs and goals, it is recommended to consult with your lubricant supplier, equipment manufacturer, or condition monitoring service provider.