Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1412702
ML www.machinerylubrication.com | September - October 2021 | 19 ML Target Cleanliness/Dryness Compliance Much like you would track these for an asset, you would want to be able to confirm that during any reconditioning process, an acceptable level of moisture and solid partic- ulate is met. is is a good lagging indicator that your reconditioning tools (filtration, dehydrator, etc.) are working to the level they should. It is also a leading indicator for machine and lubricant health, as solids and moisture are catalytic particles leading to the breakdown of the lubricant and damage to machine surfaces. Lubricant Performance Compliance A lubricant's properties aren't static; they change over time as the fluid ages and additive levels drop. Rather than simply monitoring additive levels or fluid properties such as viscosity and acid number, a good reconditioning program would look at the actual performance properties of the lubricant and how they compare to the original, "new" fluid. Simply refreshing an additive package or cleaning the lubricant doesn't mean it will perform like new. Basic tests, such as filter- ability, demulsibility, air release and foam tendency/stability, offer great insight into whether the performance characteristics of the fluid are compromised or not. Depending on the type of fluid in question, you may add in tests that are more applicable to the in-service environment of the lubricant, such as FZG, 4-ball, etc. Lubricant Purchases by Type As is the case for most programs, there has to be a financial reason to justify its existence. Reconditioning can provide savings in many ways, but one of the more immediate hard- cost savings should be in the purchasing of lubricant. However, it's important to point out that not all fluids are suitable for recon- ditioning, which will be discussed later. e obvious goal is that the lubricant being recon- ditioned would show a drastic reduction in the purchase of that fluid type. is equates to an immediate cash savings that only grows as the fluid is maintained in optimum operating condition for a much longer period of time, perhaps indefinitely. Mean Time Between Oil Changes Longer life of the fluid means fewer oil changes and a longer period of time between these changes. is is a long-term metric but one that serves as the ultimate goal of the program, reducing (if not completely elimi- nating) the need to do an oil change. Start with a historical trend of time between oil changes or significant top-ups, and then set a goal of at least doubling that length of time. is will also help you gauge what necessary tools and modifications will need to be applied to your system.