Six Steps For Effective Oil Analysis

If you currently have an oil analysis program in place, or put a whole, it is imperative to ensure that equipment is properly sampled to achieve the objectives of a specific maintenance program.

To provide the program with the appropriate base, six basic questions to be asked:

* What do you want from your oil analysis program?
* What units should be sampled?
* Where does the sample must be taken into the team?
* How are the samples are to be acquired?
* How often should samples be taken?
* What evidence is needed?

Some of these steps can be performed simultaneously, while others must be in order.

Step 1: The functions of an Oil Analysis Program

This first step is critical. Provides direction for almost all future decisions on oil analysis program. Faults can be detected early? Are there mixed lubrication problems to be avoided or captured before resulting issues occur? Or is that the health of the lubricant simply need to be monitored to provide accurate information lubricant change intervals? The reasons for oil analysis can vary, but generally, the choice may have the greatest effect on what can be achieved with an oil analysis program.

Step 2: The sample units

The next problem to solve is to decide which units of the sample. Individual units should not be determined immediately, but other steps forward in the process, you must decide what type of sample unit. Gearboxes only? Super-critical units? Everything? This step can be one of the most difficult, but when all the fundamentals are combined, it is relatively easy, due to factors that limit some steps to take.

The most likely solution is to make a list of everything that the user might want to try and then prioritize groups (definitely want to try, shows, must be shown). Therefore, if the cost is too prohibitive, the units can be reduced to sampling or less frequently or not.

Step 3: Location of sampling

Although this step can be performed in any order, it is useful to help set limits on the scope of the survey project. sample location is often cut and dried on the sample can be removed from the computer.

The pros and cons of each sampling option must be weighed against many variables including questions such as "What does the budget allow the number of units to be sampled? and "What sampling method allows me to monitor what I need to achieve the goal of this project?" In some cases, the drop tube sampling is adequate. Other cases require a sample point will be installed to obtain accurate and useful.

Select the correct location on your computer may not be as easy as it sounds. If the wrong type of sampling is performed or the sample port is placed in an inactive area, a unit may end up failing, while the analysis of the data continues to show positive results.

Security can also be a problem. Is the high hydraulic pressure unit? Be sure to check that if a sample port to be installed, the pressure range is within the proper range.

Step 4: Sample Acquisition

If the drop tube method of sampling is chosen and only used diesel engines, the choice is easy. Buying a vacuum gun and start working. However, if there are problems with ensuring the proper location has been chosen for sampling, this can be a significant problem. There are many reasons why particular units can not be tasted at any time.

There will always be a unit that simply does not have a feasible solution, but usually there are solutions to problems, if you're willing to dig and search. Make sure that when the equipment and sampling method have been selected, the ability to pull the sample also exists.

If you encounter a problem finding a way to retrieve samples from a piece of equipment, the equipment supplier may be able to provide a solution. If there is a supplier of equipment available, look for a supplier of sampling equipment through the Internet (or just keep looking through this magazine - there are usually several). If the first seller can not find a solution to the problem, try another one.

Step 5: How often is a sign that you need?

Sampling frequency may be dictated by two factors: what the user is trying to find and how quickly it needs to be found. The cost may also be taken into account because the monthly sampling is not always an option. However, if the cost for completing the analysis becomes a major problem, the scope of the survey project may have to be changed to effectively limit sampling to a manageable financial situation that does not involve the removal of units random sampling plan.

In determining the frequency of sampling, issues such as the probability of failure of history and the team should be directed to decide what range to set up your computer.

The highest frequency of sampling is carried out, the more effective it is to discover problems before a failure occurs. Most oil analysis users have heard stories involving a failure that was from the beginning to the disaster in days. While this is the exception not the rule, note that faults can occur rapidly, and it is necessary to limit exposure to the magnitude of the deficit from operations units are lame if they go down.

A functional team in history can be the difference between a good decision and a complete stranger to the analysis. An annual sampling unit to control the oil will not provide the analyst in the history of much equipment. quarterly sampling may be the beginning of a story and trendable stable team, and monthly samples, there is a range of 90 percent of the detection of problems before failure.

Step 6: Test

What tests are needed is strictly determined by what you want to find proof. Viscosity and acid tests can be useful if only to monitor the health of the lubricant. To monitor the health of equipment, ferrous and density tests may be the way forward. Most oil analysis users seek a combination of health teams, health and cleanliness of the lubricant grease.

Many oil analysis providers offer discounts on oil analysis package aimed at the types of equipment in general, so be sure to ask the tests receive a discount packaged to meet specific needs.

In conclusion, all these fundamental issues are brought to the table when they travel the path of excellence in lubrication, and the responses that have proven their case, then an effective program that has a solid base and a gratifying result must be in place.



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