testing. e success of this approach led other railroad compa-
nies to adopt similar practices.
Early elemental analysis relied on atomic absorption spec-
troscopy, which was a slow and laborious process. However, in
the late 1950s, Dr. Walter Baird introduced the semiautomatic
atomic emission spectrometer (AES), also known as the Baird
Spectrometer. is device enabled quick and multi-elemental
analysis of fluids, reducing testing time from hours to minutes.
It initially catered to railroads and large industrial plants but
soon found commercial applications.
In the late 1960s, the U.S. military faced failures in aircraft
due to rolling element bearing fatigue. e existing particle
detection technologies, such as ferromagnetic chip detectors
and elemental spectroscopy, were ineffective in detecting early-
stage bearing wear. To address this issue, Vernon Westcott
developed the ferrograph, a laboratory instrument that visually
detects and analyzes particles of all sizes. It gained popularity
in the military and private sector, leading to the establishment
of the International Conference on Advances in Ferrography
in 1982.
Advancements in oil analysis continued with the intro-
duction of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
to detect oil chemistry and certain contaminants. e field
also witnessed improvements in particle imaging software,
charge-coupled devices (CCDs) for particle counting,
and the emergence of online and onsite testing with
portable instruments.
As the 21st century progressed, oil analysis technology
further evolved, with the development of semi-portable
analyzers, handheld IR spectrometers, and the integration
of artificial intelligence and the Industrial Internet of ings
(IIoT).
e future of oil analysis will explore additional topics such
as condition monitoring, sampling methods, test selections,
and the development of technologies like viscometry, particle
counting titration, gas chromatography, flash-point testing,
blotter spot chromatography, and grease analysis.
ML
Early tabel model of an infrared spectrometer.
(Ref. Lubrication V.55, Texaco)
