Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/468007
www.machinerylubrication.com | January - February 2015 | 31 ML may be installed to facilitate inspections of the oil include bottom sediment and water (BS&W) bowls, which enable quick inspec- tion of low-lying contaminants and sludge, and level gauges, which should be located near fi ll ports and be large enough to easily determine the oil level. From time to time, machines should be inspected internally to verif y that the lubrication system and machine compo- nents are free of deposits and excessive wear. External inspections are also useful to identif y the presence of leaks or abnormal operating conditions. A number of machine modifi cations or accessories can be employed for this purpose. For instance, large reser voirs and sumps should be equipped with inspection hatches. These hatches, which can be opened for a visual inspection and then sealed again, should incorporate lips, gaskets and compression clamps/bolts to control accidental dirt entry, ingression and air movement. Magnetic drain plugs and other inspection devices enable wear metals to be examined and removed from the oil. External modifi cations can allow for visual inspections of lube points, chains, couplings, belts, etc. Minor hatches or plugs may also be removed to introduce a camera or borescope. Oil Analysis Oil sampling is key to the success of an oil analysis program. Oil samples obtained incorrectly will produce faulty technical reports and an inaccurate machine diag- nosis. An example of a machine modifi cation for proper oil sampling would be installing a primary sampling port. These ports should be positioned according to the lubri- cation system's confi guration. Secondary sampling ports can also be useful for moni- toring specifi c components. Installation of in-line instrumentation will be necessary for real-time lubricant moni- toring in large or critical machines. These types of sensors include fl uid pressure gauges, fl ow meters, temperature gauges, free water alarms, low oil level alarms, pres- sure differential gauges, fi lter bypass alarms, air-intake vacuum gauges, etc. Contamination Control A well-structured contamination control program is a strategic element of proactive maintenance. It addresses and helps to eliminate the root causes of critical machine failure modes. A wide range of machine modifi cations can be made to enhance contamination exclusion and removal, such as incorporating circulating systems with quality oil fi lters, high-performance breathers, hydraulic cylinders equipped with rod boots to control ingression, reser- voirs designed with baffl ing to enable contaminants to settle or detrain, and return-line diffusers to control tank aera- tion. Other alternatives would be to install dust protection covers where grease fi ttings are used and offl ine fi lters on bath-/ splash-lubricated machines. You may also need to use headspace management equip- ment with large reservoirs. Retrofi tting machines is a smart strategy for reducing operating costs. It will require full support from management and an allo- cation of resources, but the return should be several times the investment. Of course, before any equipment modifi cations are made, it is necessary to assess each machine based on its criticality and operating condi- tions. Safety and ergonomics must also be considered. While this may take some time, it will pay off in the long run with increased machine reliability. About the Author Alejandro Meza is a senior technical consul- tant with Noria Corporation. He has more than 20 years of experience in the lubricant industry, technical services, quality assurance, training, consulting and development in the United States, Brazil, Mexico and the Americas region. Contact Alejandro at ameza@noria.com to learn how Noria can help you make machine modifi cations to increase reliability. A single-point lubricator 24% of lubrication professionals say improving the accuracy of lubrication procedures would be the most likely reason for making machine modifi cations at their plant, based on a recent poll at MachineryLubrication.com A high-efficiency breather for particles and moisture Retrofitting machines will require full support from management and an allocation of resources, but the return should be several times the investment. s say improving the ocedures would be r making machine t, based on a recent brication.com