Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1336798
16 | January - February 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com LUBRICANT RECEPTION & STORAGE with no cover and exposed to every envi- ronmental contaminant nature can throw at them. Soon, you'll have water pooling on top of the drum. Temperatures begin to fluctuate, causing the drums to expand and contract - to "breath". When the drum breathes, it creates a vacuum and the water on top of the barrel slowly gets sucked in, even if the bung was never opened. Of course, once this water is introduced it begins to prematurely degrade the lubricant. Best Practice Methods to Storing Oil Drums Indoor (Preferred) •Drums should be stacked horizontally and no more than two high •Drums should be stored on proper drum storage racks utilizing FIFO to main- tain a good rotation of stock •If no rack is available, at least store barrels horizontally with the bungs at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions •Bungs kept tightly sealed, perhaps with a high-quality desiccant breather attached to prevent contamination. •Always utilize a filter or transfer cart when transferring oil. Outdoor (If Necessary) • Shelter the drums the best you can— tarp, shed honing, etc. • Lay drums horizontally (3 & 9 o'clock) • If drums must be stored vertically due to space constraints, utilize some type of covering and/or tilt the barrels to allow water to drain Bulk Oil Storage and Dispensing System – Of all the lubricant storage options, bulk storage is best practice for oil storage and contaminant prevention. ere are many different companies providing a variety of styles for large-scale bulk oil dispensing systems. ere are a few key characteristics to consider, rather than a specific brand. To start with, it should have a filtering and circulating system to control contamination and main- tain fluid health while in storage. e choice between steel containers and polyethylene containers depends on budget and specific goals of each company. Most dispensing systems on these storage units are similar with a pressurized and filtered dispensing tap, built-in spill containment and they also save space for other equipment. After considering these lube room and storage requirements, ask yourself, "How would my facility score in this factor?" Your factor score can tell a lot about how your lubrication program is going overall, how it is maintained and usually where a good starting point is for best-practice improve- ments. Out of the seventeen foundational Factors at the Platform Level on the Ascend Chart, Lubricant Storage and Lube Room (R 2P) is one of the most important for overall lubrication program success. ML About the Author Paul Farless is an indus- trial ser vice technician for Noria Corporation. His duties include collecting data and preparing reports for the engineering team. Prior to joining Noria, Paul worked as an automotive maintenance technician for an auto-re- pair service company. He also served four years in the U.S. Navy as a gunner's mate third-class petty officer and as a seaman deckhand, 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 military background to excel and maxi- mize efficiency.