Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
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Oil Analysis LESSONS IN LUBRICATION BENNETT FITCH | NORIA CORPORATION ANATOMY of an Oil Analysis REPORT This is the fifth part of a series of "anatomy" lessons within Machinery Lubrication. In this issue, a specific device or object will not be dissected but rather the content provided in a typical oil analysis report, including how to interpret the data and other findings. These interpretations may decide either the cost or avoidance of machine failure and downtime. Interpreting an oil analysis report can be overwhelming to the untrained eye. Oil analysis isn't cheap, and neither is the equipment on which it reveals information. Every year, industrial plants pay millions of dollars for commercial laboratories to perform analysis on used and new oil samples. Unfortunately, a majority of the plant What to Look for When Reviewing an Oil Analysis Report 1. Read and check the data on the oil type and machine type for accuracy. 2. Verify that reference data is shown for new oil conditions and that trend data is at an understood frequency (preferably consistent). 3. Check the measured viscosity. 4. Verify elemental wear data and compare to reference and trended data. Use a wear debris atlas to match elements to their possible source. 5. Check the elemental additive data and compare to reference and trended data. Use a wear debris atlas to match elements to their possible source. 6. Verify elemental contamination data along with particle counts and compare with reference and trended data. Use a wear debris atlas to match elements to their possible source. 7. Check moisture/water levels and compare to reference and trended data. personnel who receive these lab reports do not understand the basics of how to interpret them. Typically, an oil analysis report comes with a written summary section that attempts to put the results and recommendations in Interpreting an oil analysis report can be overwhelming to the untrained eye. layman's terms. However, since the laboratory has never seen the machine or know its full history, these recommended actions are mostly generic and not precisely tailored to your individual circumstances. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the plant personnel who receive the lab report to take the proper action based on all known facts about the machine, the environment and recent lubrication tasks performed. Why Perform Oil Analysis An obvious reason to perform oil analysis is to understand the condition of the oil, but it is also intended to help bring to light the condition of the machine from which the oil sample was taken. There are three main categories of oil analysis: fluid properties, contamination and wear debris. Fluid Properties This type of oil analysis focuses on identifying the oil's current physical and chemical state as well as on defining its remaining useful life (RUL). It is designed to answer questions such as: 8. Verify the acid number and base number and compare to reference and trended data. • Does the sample match the specified oil identification? 9. • Is it the correct oil to use? Check other analyzed data such as FTIR oxidation levels, flash point, demulsibility, analytical ferrography, etc. 10. Compare any groups of data that are trending toward unacceptable levels and make justifications based on these trends. 11. Compare written results and recommendations with known information on the oil and machine, such as recent changes in environmental or operational conditions or recent oil changes/filtration. 12. Review alarm limits and make adjustments based on the new information. 44 | N November - D b December 2013 | www.machinerylubrication.com b hi l b i i • Are the right additives active? • Have additives been depleted? • Has the viscosity shifted from the expected viscosity? If so, why? • What is the oil's RUL? Contamination By detecting the presence of destructive contaminants and