Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/902206
16 | November - December 2017 | www . machinerylubrication.com COVER STORY - 100 th ISSUE one specified in the machine's ser vice ma nua l. Cha llenge conventional recommendations for viscosity. Some machines are operating at conditions far afield from that intended by the machine designer. 89. Identify the Cause of Oil Leakage Any time there is oil leakage in a system, there's a reason for it. e entire system should be analyzed, and the cause of the leaks identified. 90. Handle Lubricants Carefully Most lubricants should be handled with care and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Create a barrier between you and the lubricant. Wear gloves a nd sa fet y gla sses a s well as oil- or chemical-resis- tant boots. If possible, keep all exposed skin covered. 91. Determine the Correct Oil Level The best time to decide on the appropriate oil level for your equipment is when the machinery first arrives at your facility. Once the correct oil level is identified, it must be clearly marked in the field. 92. Watch for Foam Contaminants frequently a f fect a lubric a nt's foa m tendency and stability as well as water separability. If you detect more foam than normal or demulsibility issues, it may be an indicator of lubricant contamination. 93. Find the Source of a Heat Problem e next time a heat problem occurs in one of your systems, look for oil that is flowing from a higher pressure to a lower pressure in the system. at's where you'll likely find your problem. 94. Keeping Oils Fluid In some applications, it is nearly impossible for oil to remain fluid at all ambient temperatures. In these situations, the use of an oil heater is recommended. 95. Consider Water- based Fluids Water-based f luids are an alternative when fire resistance is imperative and typical lubri- cant properties like viscosity or lubricity are less important. 96. Test New Oils It is critical to your oil analysis program that you sample and test oils upon receipt. e possibility of receiving the wrong oil or lubricants that do not meet the required specifications is very real. 97. Choose the Right Lubricant to Reduce Air Pollution One of the more overlooked aspects of a lubricant is its ability to influence environmental emis- sions. By selecting the proper oil, you can help to reduce some of the harmful contaminants that are spewed into the environment without sacrificing the needs of the machine or the performance of the lubricant. 98. Invest in Training Even if you have invested large amounts of resources in your program, you may still need to invest in training for your team members in order for them to execute your procedures properly. 99. Check Your Oil Analysis Lab Most oil analysis practitioners assume the data from their labo- ratory is accurate and irrefutable, but this may not always be the case. Routine checking of your lab is crucial. 100. Water Contami- nation Can Affect Oil Viscosity A common misconception is that water will reduce the viscosity of a lubricant. In fact, if an exces- sive amount of water is "whipped" into the oil in such a way that it forms a stable emulsion, the viscosity can increase, sometimes dramatically so. ML 100