Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/778560
Preparation Confirm that the port identification plaque corresponds to the work order. Next, remove the plug from the tank opening and clean the exposed ports. Hardware Flushing Insert one end of the new nylon tubing into the tank and the other end into the vacuum pump. Do not tighten the knurled nut on the sampler to allow air to vent during sampling. Loosely thread on the purge bottle. Purge 10 times the estimated dead volume by pumping the vacuum pump. Loosen the knurled nut to stop flow and remove the flush bottle. Sample Bottle Preparation Open the sampling bottle. Tightly thread the sampling bottle onto the sampling pump (the nylon tubing end must puncture the bag). Sampling Extract the oil sample by pulling the vacuum pump handle. Fill the bottle no more than three-fourths full. Stop the oil flow by loosening the knurled nut to break the vacuum. Extract the tubing from the tank. Labeling Unthread the sampling bottle from the vacuum sampler and tightly secure the cap without opening the plastic bag. Write the required data on the label and attach it to the sampling bottle if not completed previously. Cleaning Detach the tubing and discard it. Clean the sampling pump and place it in a plastic bag. Wipe clean and reinstall the dust cap on the sampling valve. Wipe up any fluid that may have spilled on the machine. Dispose of the purged fluid, nylon tubing and any used lint-free cloth in accordance with the plant's environmental policy. Hold Suppliers Accountable It is critical to your oil analysis program that you sample and test oils upon receipt. The possibility of receiving the wrong oil or lubricants that do not meet the required specifications is very real. Consider how uncomfortable you become when one of your customers is delivered the wrong product or one that is of poor quality. What are the costs involved in getting that product back and replacing it? What are the hidden costs in the damage to your relationship with your customer? How many times can you make that mistake before it affects your repu- tation and business? Shouldn't you hold your vendors and suppliers to the same standard? Remember, they are not responsible for the reli- ability and uptime of your machines — you are. To fulfill this responsibility, you must ensure that you receive clean, quality lubricants for your equipment. About the Author Loren Green is a technical consultant with Noria Corporation, focusing on machinery lubrication and maintenance in support of Noria's Lubrication Program Development (LPD). He is a mechanical engineer who holds a Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) Level I certification and a Machine Lubricant Analyst (ML A) Level III certification through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML). Contact Loren at lgreen@noria.com to find out how Noria can help you verify the cleanliness of new oil deliveries. 61% of lubrication professionals do not sample or test new oil upon receipt, according to a recent survey at MachineryLubrication.com P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T S E R I E S call 1-800-223-1325 - info@uesystems.com LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE w w w . u e s y s t e m s . c o m / M L 1 7 New Online Course