Lubricating oil is essential to the operation of machinery and equipment used in nearly every industry sector. Up until just a few short years ago, the problems facing lubricant formulators and marketers were simply those of meeting the technical requirements set forth by Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) and customers. However, in the last decade, a whole extra set of requirements have been introduced through legislation, public concern, and OEM pressures, dealing with a lubricant’s impact on the natural environment. Such impacts can be examined through a lubricant’s full life cycle – from the original product development through to ultimate disposal.
At Fluid Life we like to use the analogy “anything a doctor can do with blood; we can do with lubricants.” With industrial?oil analysis, we focus on the health of the lubricant and the machine being monitored. We consider this an essential part of a proactive maintenance program. Plus, we take environmental stewardship seriously and believe that oil analysis can provide benefits to the environment in the areas of waste reduction and reduced pollution.
The two primary waste reduction benefits are reduced oil usage and increased component lifespan.
- Reduced Oil Usage:?Oil analysis results provide key information regarding oil life which can impact on oil drain intervals.?Oil drain extensions?can reduce the manpower needed for oil changes and reduce the amount of waste oil needed to be taken to the recycling facility, helping the environment. Oil drain extension programs do require diligent adherence to PM schedules and routine oil analysis between oil change intervals to ensure contamination or wear issues are not occurring. Using tests such as oil viscosity (the oil’s ability to flow) and ISO Particle Count (indication of oil cleanliness) can help to monitor for oil degradation, contamination, and wear.
- Reduced Replacement Parts Usage:?One of the goals of an oil analysis program is to maximize machine component lifespan by monitoring and controlling contamination and component wear. Reducing the number of replacement parts used reduces manufacturing, transportation, storage, and disposal of replacement parts providing a reduction in our overall environmental footprint. Plus, longer equipment life reduces costs and maximizes profits. By spotting signs early through routine oil analysis, smaller and more affordable maintenance tasks can be undertaken before the problems become too serious or expensive. For example, an engine coolant leak into an oil system, or a cumulative, progressive, fuel dilution or dirt/dust ingress from the air-intake system – if these are caught during a routine oil sampling cycle, it could result in a less costly repair than if left undetected leading to engine failure and total engine replacement.?Long gone are the days of fighting fires, chasing issues, changing parts, and applying a band aid and doing a post-mortem. Instead, by moving from “diagnostics, to prognostics” and addressing the root cause issue over a symptom, this helps to extend equipment life, reduce parts costs, and keep your mission critical assets in motion affecting your economic bottom-line.
Oil analysis can also positively impact on greenhouse gas emissions and spill prevention.
- Reduce CO2 / Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Diesel engines of today run cleaner than ever before when operating properly. Air/fuel mixture and emission control issues will often show up in the oil well before traditional diagnostic tools are applied. Fuel and Soot concentration are common tests performed as an oil analysis program. For example, if a fuel injector, O-ring, or fuel transfer pump is compromised, it could leak unburned fuel into the engine oil and even degrades the oil’s ability to provide adequate lubrication. This results in higher emissions and significantly increases wear on critical components.
- Reduce Oil Spillage: Oil leaks and spills are far too common in industries that use heavy equipment and industrial machinery. Oil analysis can reveal temperature, contamination and oil viscosity issues that may lead to leaking seals and potentially result in ruptured high pressure oil lines. It can also help to reveal the root cause of issues that lead to a catastrophic equipment failure, enabling corrective actions to be implemented to reduce future occurrences.
Aside from providing insight into machine health, routine oil analysis can make a positive impact on our environment. Take advantage of the power of benchmarking and trending your historical data when compared to similar makes, models of component types and even similar operational considerations. Using Oil Analysis is one of many tools in the arsenal of a well-informed maintenance professional “Working Smarter not Harder!”
To learn more about implementing an oil analysis program (or updating your current program)?contact us?today.
