Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/229047
AS I SEE IT the vast majority of the opportunity comes from paying close attention to the "Big Four." These are vital attributes to the optimum reference state needed to achieve lubrication excellence. The "Big Four" individually and collectively influence the state of lubrication and are largely controllable by machinery maintainers, especially if a machine is designed and built for optimum maintainability. The "Big Four" are: MAINTAINABILITY MACHINE DESIGN FEATURES CORRECT LUBRICANT 1. Correct lubricant in use (meets reliability objectives) 2. Stabilized lubricant health (physical and chemical properties) 3. Contamination control 4. Adequate and sustained lubricant level/supply STABILIZED LUBRICANT HEALTH CONTAMINATION CONTROL ADEQUATE AND SUSTAINED LUBRICANT SUPPLY General Lubrication System Maintainability Optimum selection/use of a lubrication device (spray, mist, circulation, grease, bath, etc.) N/A May help stabilize lubricant health May help reduce the ingress and removal of contaminants Enables consistent and sufficient supply of healthy and clean lubricant Lubricant type identification labels Type on machine matches type on lubricant package Lower risk of mixed, incompatible lubricants N/A N/A Fully swept (purged) drain sump bottoms N/A Reduced residual, degraded oil (previous oil) from last oil change Water, sediment and other low-lying contaminants are swept out during drains (minimal fishbowl effect) N/A Return-line diffusers and tank baffles N/A Reduced aeration prolongs oil life Reduced oil aeration and foaming, enables more efficient and rapid contaminant settling Fewer oil starvation issues related to aeration and foam Heat exchangers/coolers Ensures adequate viscosity to enable required film strength in frictional zones Keeps oil at a stable temperature for optimum service life and reduces premature additive depletion (dropout, oxidation, etc.) Reduces the risks of heat contamination effects on additive depletion and base oil oxidation Ensures proper fluid flow at cold ambient temperatures Use of engine prelube systems N/A N/A N/A Reduces engine dry-starts causing momentary starvation Pressure, flow and temperature sensors N/A May indicate lubricantdamaging conditions May indicate heat contamination May signal oil flow alarm causing starvation Inspection Hardware Maintainability Bottom sediment and water (BS&W) sight glass Oil color Oil color, clarity, sediment, sludge Sediment, water emulsions, free water, glycol (antifreeze), biomass, varnish N/A Bull's-eye 3-D oil level gauges Oil color Oil color, clarity, varnish Water emulsions, oil color, aeration, foam Oil level, aeration, foam Correct oil level markings N/A N/A N/A Visual confirmation of correct oil level N/A Visual inspection for bathtub rings, floating debris, foam, aeration, emulsions, corrosion, varnish Visual inspection for bathtub rings, floating debris, foam, aeration, emulsions, corrosion, varnish Helps detect foam/aeration-induced oil starvation risks Pressure differential gauges on filters (including engine oil filters) N/A Gauges help ensure filters are working properly, potentially prolonging lubricant service life Gauges help ensure filters are working properly to control the concentration of contaminants Well-filtered lubricants are less likely to cause excessive wear on seals, which can cause leakage and starvation issues Expanded-metal guards and view windows for easy inspection N/A N/A Visible inspection of potential contaminant ingression sites Visible inspection of leakage areas and lubricant-delivery methods Easy-open inspection hatches/ports 4| November - December 2013 | www.machinerylubrication.com