Machinery Lubrication

Machinery Lubrication March-April 2020

Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation

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20 | March - April 2020 | www . machinerylubrication.com Oil mist is an aerosol mixture of one part oil to 200,000 parts air. It is generated by passing high-velocity air through an orifice that pulls oil into the air stream. e high-velocity air stream breaks the oil into particle sizes of 1 to 3 microns, thus the resemblance to cigarette smoke or steam. e same air, at a much lower velocity and pressure, then transports these small oil particles through a distribution system to the equipment to be lubricated. ese small particles are referred to as dry mist and are much too small for lubricating purposes; however, they are easily trans- ported throughout distribution systems over distances of 600 feet. For lubricating bearings or other equipment, dr y mist is converted into wet mist prior to the equipment being lubricated. is is accomplished by passing the dry mist through a reclassifier (Figure 1). As these small particles pass through the reclassifier orifice, the increased turbulence causes the particles to stick together and grow in size. At this point, the oil mist is referred to as wet mist. e larger wet mist particles are now applied to bearing surfaces and can lubricate rolling-element bearings. MAINTENANCE AND RELIABILITY How Oil Mist Can Increase Equipment Reliability Marc Vila, Petronor Wet Mist Velocity and turbulence convert dry mist to wet mist Mist Flow Dry Oil Mist Figure 1. Oil mist reclassification. Oil mist is considered best practice by the hydrocarbon processing industry and is recommended within the specifications of the American Petroleum Institute." "

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