Category: Industrial Oil

What Should You Know About Oil Analysis?

What Should You Know About Oil Analysis? Heavy industries and factories are dependent on oil and petroleum for the efficient daily operations. Dealing with malfunctioning machines when you already have so much to manage can be pretty daunting, right? Why not save yourself from this by opting for a reliable oil analysis program? Regular oil analysis and testing can prevent contamination in the machines and thus, save you from excessive, costly damages and downtimes. Checking the oil health of your machines regularly is necessary for the health of your machines. A well-lubricated machine can perform well for years while an improperly lubricated machine can go into premature failure. Oil analysis plays an active role here and keeps the oil in a healthy condition, which makes it suitable for machines. So what is oil analysis, and why is it so important for your industrial machines? We will discuss all you need to know about oil analysis in this blog post, so you know you are taking the right steps for your precious machines.

What Is Oil Analysis?

Oil analysis is a regular routine of analyzing the health of oil, its contamination level, and the machine wear and tear. The purpose of an oil analysis program is to test for any contamination within the oil and remove it to avoid potential damages caused by contaminated oil. Oil analysis is necessary to prevent your machines from downtime. Oil analysis gives you a complete picture of your lubricating process and helps you solve problems at the early stages. The analysis can be done onsite, off-site, or online. Off-site oil analysis is necessary for a more comprehensive test. Onsite testing is necessary for the equipment to be monitored very frequently. This type of oil analysis and testing are used to perform a range of tests, for example, checking metal contaminants and particle accounts. Online testing is suitable for instant alerts and for those that are not really detectable via a vibration or other indicators. It provides an early warning and prompts onsite and outside sample testing to repair the problem straight away if the fault is present.

Why Is Performing Oil Analysis Necessary?

One of the obvious reasons to perform oil analysis is to find out the condition of the oil and mitigate any issues if it has. The purpose is to take out the oil sample, check the contamination and other properties, and ensure whether it is suitable for further use. The oil analysis technique is used to check the following three categories: fluid properties, contamination, and wear debris.

Checking The Fluid Properties Of Oil

One part of oil analysis includes checking the fluid properties, which means identifying the oil’s current physical and chemical state as well as identify its remaining useful life. With this process, you can find out whether the oil is correct to use or not. It also tells you if the additives are active or have depleted over time. Moreover, you can also find out the viscosity shift and what the expected viscosity is. All these fluid properties will tell you whether a certain lubricant or oil can be further used or not.

Checking The Contamination Of The Lubricant

Another useful benefit of performing oil analysis is checking the destructive contaminants and finding their probable sources, which might be internal or external. Performing oil analysis to check the contamination of the oil means checking whether the oil is clean or not and what type of contaminants are present in the oil. It also means tracking the origin of contaminants and finding out their source. This process also tells if there is any sign of internal leakage, which might be leading to contamination. Therefore oil analysis can prevent contamination within the oil and help it to last longer.

Checking The Wear Debris

Oil analysis also includes the identification of particles that are produced as a result of mechanical wear and corrosion. This helps answer questions related to machine degradation and the amount of wear debris. It also highlights any internal machine component from where the wear is originating. All of these methods help check the condition of the oil to keep the machine healthy and extend the life of the oil. An oil analysis report consists of different measures such as viscosity, wear data, elemental data, contamination data, and moisture/water levels. There are many benefits of oil analysis.

About Micro Lube

Get high-quality lubricants with Micro Lube. Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customers. Contact us for more information. I hope now you will get the enough information about oil analysis.

What Are The Benefits Of Regular Oil Analysis?

What Are The Benefits Of Regular Oil Analysis Performing regular oil analysis on your lubrication system provides you with valuable insight into the operating levels of your heavy machines and the lubricant flowing through them. If you are not performing regular and consistent oil analysis then you are putting the efficiency and productivity of your machines at risk. Regular oil analysis is important but keep in mind that using proper industrial lubricants and industrial oil filters is also important for keeping your machines in good working condition. As we all know that lubrication plays an important role in keeping your industrial plant running at its best, hence taking care of your machine’s lube system means that you are taking care of your entire industrial plant’s machines. Therefore performing regular oil analysis on your machines will help you to avoid component failures and will also keep all your industrial machines in good working condition. From determining the additive levels to detecting coolant and fuel leaks, daily oil analysis will diagnose a bunch of issues that will help you prevent failures and breakdowns. There are many advantages of regular oil analysis but one of the top advantages of constant oil analysis is that the data you get from it helps you move toward a solution that will eliminate lubrication issues. There are many other benefits of regular oil analysis as well, in this blog post we will outline the top 2 benefits of performing daily oil analysis for your machines.

It Helps You Detect Problems Before They Occur

The biggest advantage of regular and consistent oil analysis is that it will help you detect problems in your machine even before they occur. So, when you know a problem might occur in your machine ahead of time you can fix it and save money and time. Regular oil analysis will provide you with an in-depth view of all the lubricants in your machine and with consistent testing you can identify the small issues in your machines and fix them before they become bigger problems. You can even detect different types of wear and tear in specific areas of your industrial machines through oil analysis. Other issues with the filtration system, such as combustion soot contamination can also be identified with constant oil analysis. Improper filtration and lubrication can cause multiple problems in your machine that can lead to expensive and extensive repairs. But with regular oil analysis, you can pinpoint the potential problems areas in your machine and fix the problems beforehand which will save you from costly repairs.

Fewer Repairs And Less Downtime

The majority of problems in industrial machines and equipment start small and grow increasingly worse over time. Bigger problems mostly require expensive and extensive repairs and often include a significant amount of downtime for your machines and business. Hence when your industrial plant is not running at full capacity then it will impact the productivity and earning of your business. But with regular oil analysis, you can detect the high level of wear and tear that signals the breakdown of internal parts beforehand. Problems like increased additive levels, escalating trends in particle counts and even viscosity that lead to cross and external contamination can also be detected early with the help of daily oil analysis. From internal issues such as coolant leaks or wear in different parts of the machine to outside contamination, regular oil analysis will help you detect all such issues ahead of time. So by analyzing the lubricants in your industrial machines regularly, you will be able to catch the issues earlier and will be able to fix the problem before it needs extensive repairs and all of this will minimize the overall downtime of your business.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customers. Our staff has over ten years of “hands-on” experience in storage, conveyor, and chain lubrication which has earned our customers’ confidence in our products and services. Contact us here for more information.

The Importance Of Effective Oil Sampling

The Importance Of Effective Oil Sampling Oils and lubricants play an important role in maintaining a machine. We all know and understand the benefits of a good oil or lubricant for our machines. However, many industrialists do not know the benefits of oil analysis or oil sampling. Oil analysis and oil sampling terms are used interchangeably, and both are used to analyze the contaminants, properties, and wear debris of the lubricant. Conducting regular oil sampling or analysis is important to ensure that the lubricant is in the condition to be used in any machine. This routine oil analysis or oil sampling is an effective way to determine optimum change intervals. Just like using quality industrial lubricants is important for the health of your machines, conducting regular oil analysis and oil sampling is also important for them. This blog post highlights why it is important to conduct regular oil sampling and analysis and how it can benefit your machines.

How Is Oil Sampling Done?

If we take a cursory look at oil sampling, it is a method of conducting oil analysis and checking the oil condition to determine whether it can be used as lubrication or not. It must work according to expectations. Oil sampling is also called oil analysis and includes checking the following three properties:
  • Fluid properties
  • Contamination
  • Wear debris
These properties are checked in each oil analysis procedure, which determines the oil’s performance level. Each batch of oil is QC tested, and its performance is analyzed.

Benefits Of Oil Sampling

It Helps In Enhancing The Equipments Lifespan

One of the biggest benefits of oil sampling is that it helps in enhancing the equipment’s lifespan. If the lubrication you use in any certain machine is up to quality standards, it will perform well in removing the dirt, contamination, and debris from the oil. Such contamination can affect the optimal performance of the machine. Excessive wear and tear can reduce the machine’s age, cause downtimes, and might affect your overall business.

It Tells About The Lubrications Condition

The main purpose of oil sampling is to check the lubricants condition. It helps you decide whether the oil can be used any further or not. Oil sampling also helps you estimate the lifetime of a particular type of oil. It helps you understand how long a certain lubricant can last before it needs to be changed. The period of effective performance is different for different oils. This period can be determined by the process of oil sampling, which might help you decide which oil needs changing.

It Extends The Lubricant’s Life

Another great benefit of the oil sampling method is that it extends the life of the lubricant. How? The process of oil sampling doesn’t only involve analyzing it, but also treats the oil if possible. Oil sampling monitors the oil’s condition and, if necessary, treats and cleans it. Through this, you can reuse the oil in the machine without having to invest in a new one. This also makes the oil change intervals longer.

It Indicates A Machine’s Wear And Tear

When a machine is undergoing a lot of stress. An unhealthy machine will create wear particles at an exponential rate. If the particle rate observed is quite high during the sampling process, it means that the machine is undergoing a lot of wear and tear. This early indication of its condition by analyzing particles can help you take the necessary actions on time. It can also help in avoiding machine failure.

Final Thoughts

Oil sampling is vital to the predictive maintenance of machines. It helps in keeping industrial machines in perfect condition for years by changing the oil at regular intervals and avoiding wear and tear.

About Micro-Lube

Get your oil services from Micro-Lube. Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customers. We provide:
  • State-of-the-art industrial filters.
  • Lubricants.
  • Oil handling equipment.
  • Other equipment maintenance systems designed for both commercial and industrial applications.
Experiencing operational issues regarding lubrication, filtration, or preventive maintenance? Contact us here for further assistance. Moreover, check out our products here.

How To Manage Unintended Consequences During An Oil Change

How To Manage Unintended Consequences During An Oil Change Oil changes play an important part in keeping your machines in good working condition. But sometimes during oil change, technicians face unintended consequences. They see problems that never occurred before, you need knowledge and skills to tackle such problems. For instance, after a full-fledged successful lubrication program when you rinse the fluid with a new fluid fill you may see the new fluid become dark soon after the flush. For many, this can be an eye-opener and may come as a shock. Everyone knows the importance of oil cleanliness but many technicians are unaware of how to deal with such problems. You may think that this was due to the new debris within the system or may assume that the new oil was cleaning the system. Whatever the issue was you will have to quickly narrow it down as the new fluid can ruin the whole system. In this blog, we will explain the unintended consequences of oil changes.

New Problems

As this is a new problem for you, just like many other technicians, you may be confused. After experiencing such a problem the first thing you should do is change the filter in order to filter the dark fluid. Changing the filter might clean up the fluid after the chemical flush but keep in mind that it can become a problem of its own. If the filter is not working then you will need to send the pressure elements for analysis in order to find out the composition of the debris. Once you have done a filter analysis you will be able to figure out which elements were the cause of the problem. After detecting the elements you will now need to plan the next step in order to tackle the new problem. Moreover, there is a chance that not all the materials that were detected were the cause of the problem, maybe only a few reacted with the new fluid. So you will have to find out which material reacted against the new fluid.

Electrostatic Filtration

If changing the final filter did not work the next thing you should do is try electrostatic filtration. It has been seen that many industries have used electrostatic filtration and have seen excellent results. But this process is not cost effective and you will need to spend some extra money. Before you start electrostatic filtration it is important that you consider the fluid’s water content. As electrostatic filtration will not work effectively when the water levels are more than 500 ppm. So if the water level is high in the fluid then this process will not give effective results. But if the water level is in the range then you can carry out the electrostatic filtration process. Once you have decided to do electrostatic filtration you will have to decide which type of filtration you need to do. There are two types of electrostatic filtration that are used for industrial lubricants. One is known as a collector type and the other BCA (balanced charge agglomeration). BCA is usually tried on the second unit. As it consists of a mixing chamber and a pre-filter that starts the agglomeration process by charging the particles. In this method, the big agglomerated particles are filtered out in the final filter. You can also use the collector type of electrostatic filtration. The collector’s method takes a few months to show results. If after months you see the oil change color and notice a decrease in the weight of the patch, the electrostatic filtration has worked.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is one of the most trustworthy industrial lubricant providers in the Edmonton region. We have a complete range of products and offer oil filtration, dispensing, and storage products and solutions. At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. We help provide you with the best lubricant for your machines and several other products related to filtration, dispensing, chain, conveyor, and more. For more information visit our website or contact us today.

What Does A Change In Your Oil Level Mean?

What Does A Change In Your Oil Level Mean One of the most basic ways that you can check your machines and equipment is to check its oil levels. Your machine’s oil levels are the most important part of your equipment because if its levels are too low or high they can cause damage to your machine. If the oil level is low in your machine then issues such as heat, friction, and boundary conditions may persist. On the other hand, if the oil levels are too high it can cause problems like oxidation, fluid friction, and excess heat. So, you must check the oil levels of your machine regularly and maintain a balanced oil level in your machine. You can use an oil monitoring system to keep track of the oil levels of your machine. In this blog post, we outline some of the key factors that could lead to an increase or decrease in the oil levels of your machinery.

Leaks

One of the most common concerns with fluctuating oil levels is generally leaks. Oil leaks can be easily detected if a proper inspection is done. Through proper inspection you will be able to detect the decrease in the oils levels or pressure. When inspecting, if you see a decrease in the levels of the sight glass, pressure gauge, or level gauge you will have to take immediate action to avoid damage. By taking action you will be able to identify the location of the leak and also its size and severity, this will help you avoid more damage to the machine. If the leak requires a long-term fix then the best time to address the issue would be during an outage or turnaround. Oil leaks often recur on the same equipment over time and can be easily spotted by the use of saturated mats placed below the source of the leak. If all of this is happening on your site then it’s time that you address the issue. If you perform oil level inspection regularly then you will be able to understand which assets are prone to leaks and which machines have recently been maintained and how critical the leak is.

Vapourization

Vaporization is another less likely cause of lowered oil levels. Vaporization occurs mostly in high-temperature applications as in these applications there is less dense hydrocarbon dispersion and that results in a change in the viscosity of the oil level. If this type of issue is identified through in-field or laboratory oil analysis, then the most vital part will be good communication between the individual who conducted the analysis and the one who is reviewing the oil analysis reports, especially during shift turnovers, lubrication meetings, and work order documentation.

Improper Filling Practices

The main worry with a low oil level is with the reservoirs and sumps, but a level that is too high is concerning as well. If the lubrication is filled improperly in the system then it can lead to fluid friction, if this issue is not addressed timely it can result in oxidation. Improper filling practices can also cause boundary conditions if the oil levels are too low. Hence, it is very important to understand and review the filling practices being used in your facility. Are there any preventive maintenance tasks or work orders that need to be checked on a yearly basis? Are all the level indicators properly marked? Is there any documentation for in-field re-filling practices? You will have to monitor the filling practices at your facility keenly because if the filling practices are poor they can lead to serious damage to your equipment.

Contamination

Contamination is the last consideration for an increase in oil levels. Factors like seal and cooler leaks, cross-contamination, process chemicals, and even moisture ingression can lead to an increase in oil levels. It is very difficult to identify contamination in the field, therefore good communication between the individuals reviewing the oil analysis reports and in-field inspectors is very important.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service. Our staff has over ten years of “hands-on” experience in conveyor and chain lubrication which has earned our customers’ confidence in our products and services. At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. We help provide you with the best lubricant for your machines and several other products related to filtration, dispensing, chain, conveyor, and more. Contact us for more information.

Why Monitoring Of Oil Condition Is Important?

Why Is Oil Condition Monitoring Important Machines in mechanical industries require constant observation and the right technical skills to monitor its performance. Any small negligence can lead to catastrophic failure and costly damages to the industry and to the country’s economy. The oil condition monitoring process is important to identify contaminants, degraded quality, and the expired life of a lubricant. This can help in timely changing the lubricant of the machine, thereby significantly reducing the chances of machine failure. Mechanical industries are an important asset and must be protected at all costs. Therefore, the process of monitoring oil condition plays an important role in evaluating the machines’ quality and performance. In this blog we discuss the importance of oil condition monitoring in the mechanical industry.

What Is Oil Condition Monitoring?

The main goal of the oil condition monitoring process is to study the changes in the performance of the machine that is caused due to the changes in the quality of the oil operating it. Considering this, you can assess the oil on different levels and properties and check its contamination level and chemical content. These results are then used to evaluate further properties and conclude whether it is suitable for the machine. Monitoring of Oil condition is widely used in the oil and gas industry to detect leaks in vessels and pipelines.

Importance Of Conducting The Oil Condition Monitoring Process

Machine failure can lead to significant downtime and loss of production. This not only affects the operations of your company but also its reputation.  is just as important a process as manufacturing your products. There are some significant reasons for opting for this process, and many companies have made it a part of their procedures.

Reducing Downtime

The main goal of any company is to gain a profit from their manufactured products without any downtime. In such cases, the oil condition monitoring process is essential to detect any issues in the early stages and reduce any probability of failure. This step reduces downtime and enhances maintenance resources, thereby increasing your profit.

Saves You Money

If the issues with your machine are not catered to, it can lead to bigger problems and cause more damage to your machine. The oil condition monitoring process saves you money by preventing secondary damage. This non-intrusive process is, thus, a savior for your machines allowing for long-term productivity.

Simplifies The Decision-Making Process

The process of oil changes, bleed, feed, top-offs, etc., is often difficult due to the changes in trends and the oil’s critical properties and lack of proper methods. However, the oil condition monitoring process simplifies this decision-making process. This method helps detect underlying problems with the oil so that you can change it on time.

How To Prevent Oil Contamination?

Protecting your machine’s oil from contamination can be achieved using various methods. The most important one is to use good quality oils that can last long without developing any problems. They must be stored in the right conditions, such as in sealed metal drums, to keep moisture out. Moreover, investing in the right technology to avoid contamination is also necessary.

Conclusion

Periodic oil analysis can bring about significant differences in the reliability of your machines. The oil condition monitoring method helps in the oil assessment and checking it for its quality and operational capacity. Many industries, such as energy, mining, rail, marine, etc., have started to adopt an online oil monitoring program to detect problems in their early stages.

About Micro-Lube

At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. We help you provide you with the best lubricant for your machines and several other products related to filtration, dispensing, chain, conveyor, and more. Contact us for more information.

Why Should You Put In Extra Thought While Changing The Oil Filters Of Any Machinery?

Why Should You Put In Extra Thought While Changing The Oil Filters Of Any Machinery Although lubrication is crucial to ensure the proper operations of a machine, it is not the only factor that determines smooth functionality. Filtration also holds a key position in a complete lubrication program for any industrial machinery. It is important that you also focus on filtering your lubricant to enhance its lifespan and avoid any damage to the machinery. When we talk about lubricant filtration, the oil filters and their quality play a significant role. You need to be a hundred percent sure that you buy the best available and appropriate oil filters to perform the function precisely and correctly.

Why Do You Need Oil Filters?

Every oil filter has a different filtration capacity and accuracy. The real purpose of filtering a lubricant can only be achieved when you buy the appropriate filters from an authentic and renowned oil filter manufacturer. Investing in a good quality product by a well reputed brand in the market ensures that you will achieve the best results. Substandard filters will not have the ability to clean and remove particles, contamination, and other pollutants from the oil.

Removing Metal Particles From The Lubricant

When a lubricant is used by a machine for some time, metal particles from the machine’s components that are created due to rubbing against each other are added to the lubricant. It reduces the performance of the lubricant and can cause undue wear and tear to the machine. When the lubricant with metal particles and other pollutants remains in the machine, it damages its components. That is why it is critical to filter the lubricant using quality lubricant filters. It will ensure that all sorts of harmful particles and elements are removed from the lubricant.

Avoids Damage To The Internal Components Of The Machine

A high-quality filter enables the lubricant to prevent any damage to the machine’s internal components by cleaning the lubricant. Quality filters don’t leave any particles in the lubricant and help keep it free of any contamination, enabling the lubricant to remain safe, efficient, and protective for the machine. Focusing on the quality of your lubrication filters is crucial to ensure that the machine will remain in great condition and function at its best without any damage to its components.

Enhances The Lifespan Of The Lubricant

Filtering a lubricant properly with the right materials ensures a longer lifespan. Hence, you don’t have to frequently change the lubricant. You can use the existing lubricant longer without compromising on the performance of the machinery or risking the safety of the machine. Using the proper filtration materials to get rid of the lubricants’ contaminants can help you save a lot of money. You won’t have to regularly change the lubricant nor will you have to worry about the health of your machine. If you are unsure about what oil filter you should use, it is best that you hire a industrial lubricant supplier and filtration expert to guide you.

Saves On The Unnecessary Costs Of Having To Buy A Lubricant Prematurely

Properly filtering the lubricant helps save on unnecessary costs. It proves costly to change the lubricant every time there is a change in the color or viscosity of the lubricant. Filtering is an excellent option to bring the existing lubricant back to life. Micro-Lube is your trusted lubricant supplier offering you a wide range of lubricants and other services. We ensure we fulfill your needs and requirements entirely and precisely. To get in touch with us, click here.

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