Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1463313
22 | March - April 2022 | www . machinerylubrication.com How to Clean a Sealable and Reusable Container The importance of cleaning S&R containers doesn't mean that doing so has to be time-consuming or hard. With a few cleaning materials and a well-defined proce- dure, these containers can quickly and easily be cleaned and returned to service. Materials and Tools Needed Cleaning Procedure 1 Take the top-up container to the appropriate cleaning station and remove the dispensing top. 2 Remove any residual lubricant and drain into the proper waste oil container. 3 Clean interior and exterior thoroughly with a sponge and soapy water. A mild detergent or solvent may also be used. Rinse through all hoses, pumps, extensions, and nozzles to ensure it is fully clean. Rinse out all soap or detergent residue. 4 Wipe out interior and exterior with a lint-free rag until dry. 5 Check the labeling on the outside of the container and replace it if it has become damaged or is hard to read. 6 Return the container back into service. Brush Cleaning Solvent (mineral spirit) Lint-free Cloth LIS Labels Permanent Marker Gloves LUBRICANT HANDLING & APPLICATION Why Am I Cleaning a "Clean" Container? Generally, these containers rarely get cleaned. We visit sites all over the world and have seen just about every container on the market in use. ere isn't a single container that maintains absolute cleanliness throughout its life. No matter the bulk tank system or method of transferring oil to these containers, somewhere in the process, contaminants always find their way in. is is why we usually recommend a thorough cleaning once a month on high- er-use containers and once a quarter on lower-use containers. is is important when the facility is tracking cleanliness targets through oil sampling utilizing the ISO Standard 4406:99 Cleanliness Code. According to this standard, a code number is assigned to particle count values derived at three different micron levels: greater than 4 microns, greater than 6 microns and greater than 14 microns. For example, it will look like this: 18/16/13, 19/17/14, etc. Excluding Future Contaminants Once the S&R container is thoroughly cleaned and returned to service, like any aspect of lubrication, maximum effort must be put towards preventing contaminant ingression. is includes main- taining the cleanliness of the transfer wands, bulk tank dispensing spouts and quick connects that may be utilized to refill these containers. Oftentimes, even if the oil is filtered in and filtered out of the bulk tank systems, it is the dispensing tool that introduces the contamination into the container and lubricant. is goes back to lube room cleanliness; if the lube room is all grimy and dusty, then there is a likely chance that the dispensing tools will collect that dust and grime. When it comes to lubrication, the three most important words any lube tech could remember are, in order of importance, "CLEAN, COOL, and DRY." Print those words out on paper and hang them up all over the lube room. Even though it is a tedious task in a sea of other maintenance priorities, trust me when I say that if your lubricant stays clean, your job will be so much smoother in the long run. e machines will run better, the plant will run better, and the technicians will have a more complete and organized strategy moving forward. ML About the Author Paul Farless is an industrial service technician for Noria Corporation. He holds a Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) Level II certification through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML). His duties include collecting data and preparing reports for the engineering team. Prior to joining Noria, Paul worked as an automotive mainte- nance technician for an auto-repair service company. He also served four years in the U.S. Navy as a gunner's mate third-class petty officer where he was responsible for the troubleshooting and maintenance of electromechanical and hydraulic systems. A detail-oriented team player, Paul works well in fast-paced environments and uses his mili- tary background to excel and maximize efficiency. Contact Paul at pfarless@noria.com.