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Some Common Terms Related To Industrial Lubricants

Being in the industrial industry requires you to be familiar with everything that can make your company grow and increase your business PR. However, many people don’t realize the importance of having the right education and knowledge about certain terms to help them understand their industry better and prepare them to combat any challenges. Micro-lube has been in the industrial lubricants industry for several years now, and we are ready to serve you with any assistance you want regarding industrial lubricants. You can read our blog section to learn about industrial lubricants, their usage, their benefits, and more. This blog post mentions some common and useful terms used for industrial lubricants. Knowing these terms will make the process of industrial lubricants easier for you from buying, using, and keeping them for years.

Abrasion

Abrasion refers to the general wearing of the machine’s surface, often caused due to lack of proper lubrication and exposure to grime, dust, and dirt.

Absolute Viscosity

Absolute viscosity is a term that is used interchangeably with viscosity. It is used to distinguish it from kinematic viscosity or commercial viscosity. Absolute viscosity is a fluid’s internal resistance to flow. It is divided by fluid density equals kinematic viscosity, and the unit of absolute viscosity is poise. Considering the absolute viscosity while buying an industrial lubricant is important.

Additive

An additive is any material incorporated into a lubricant or similar product to import new properties or enhance the existing properties. It is usually used in relatively low concentrations.

Anti-foam Agent

An anti-foam agent is used as an additive to suppress the foaming properties of petroleum products. It converts the small bubbles into large ones that burst more rapidly and decrease the foaming.

Antioxidant

An antioxidant is also a chemical used in small quantities to increase oxidative resistance. It helps prolong the base oil’s induction period in oxidizing conditions.

Base Number

The base number is designed as the amount of acid, and all the quantity of hydrochloric or perchloric acid expressed in milligrams of KOH. It neutralizes all the basic constituents of a one-gram petroleum product sample. This term also indicates the capacity of oil to fight the corrosive effects of acidic products.

Boundary Lubrication

Boundary lubrication is lubricating between two rubbing surfaces without developing a lubricating film. It requires antiwear and extreme pressure additives to prevent metal-to-metal contact.

Batch

A batch is any quantity of material being considered or handled at a certain time.

Biodegradable

It means being capable of being broken down chemically depending on certain microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Most petroleum products are typically biodegradable in the environment within two months to 2 years.

Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that increases the chemical reaction rate without itself being used in the chemical process.

Cavitation

Cavitation refers to the formation of an air or vapor pocket. It is caused due to the lowering of pressure in a liquid and occurs in a hydraulic system due to low fluid levels.

Compressibility

Compressibility enhances some property or part of the new property of the base fluid.

Detergent

Detergent refers to an additive or a compound that has the property of neutralizing the acidic contaminants in the oil.

Dry Lubrication

Dry lubrication is the situation of moving services with no liquid lubricant between them.

Emulsifier

An emulsifier is an additive that promotes the formation of a stable emulsion. The emulsion is an intimate mixture of materials that don’t form a homogeneous mixture upon mixing.

Filtration Ratio

Filtration ratio, also known as the beta ratio, is the ratio of particles greater than a given size in the influent fluid to the number of particles greater than the same size of the effluent fluid.

About Us

Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication systems company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to its diverse customers. 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. The above mentioned are some of the most common terms used in the industrial lubricant industry. There are tons of other important terms as well which you should know about. Contact us for more information for conveyor lubrication and industrial lubricants suppliers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Lubrication Strategies For The Cement Industry

Lubrication in the cement industry is difficult not because the machines are complicated but because of the environment they have to operate in. The working conditions can vary from season to season depending on the plant’s location. The worrying factor is that lubricants like oil and grease that work well on similar machines, might not be as effective in some of the conditions that the cement industry often faces. So, lubrication strategies and lubricating frequencies that work well for other industries can be a wrong fit for the cement industry. The unique environment and nature of cement plants require unique lubricating strategies to achieve the desired results. The following blog post enlists top lubrication strategies that work for the cement industry. Also read: Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System

Transporting Raw Materials

Generally, a cement plant is near or adjacent to a quarry. The raw materials are transported from the quarry to the cement plant and then to the large storage hoppers. The mode of transportation is often conveyors, with belt conveyors being the most common type used. Even if the materials are carried from some distance, there are still a lot of conveyors involved in the process. These conveyors are driven by electric motors, some of which are largely due to the power needed to pull the belt. The larger belts require infrequent greasing because they have grease nipples. They have greasing bearings on both the drive and no drive end along with tension rolls. Many different types of cement lubricants are found efficient for greasing these conveyors but what matters is the greasing frequency. Only optimal greasing can help keep the dust and unwanted particles out of the machines and reduce wear rates.

Greasing Frequency

In cement plants, greasing is a seldom phenomenon due to the location of the plant and distance from the ground. Lack of labor availability can also add to the problem. The use of a greasing system that uses a central reservoir and feeds through numerous points is preferable in these circumstances. However, in a cement plant, the pipe runs are long and you may need various greasing systems working together. The other option is to use a single-point grease lubricator attached to each bearing. These lubricators help you grease according to the required time and bearing size.

Lubricating Gearboxes

Conveyors are driven by various types of reduction gearboxes adjacent to the electric motors that won’t protrude excessively. Gearboxes and bearings can also be found in several crushers within the section of the quarry where materials are fed to be processed. These components face issues in terms of dust as conveyors do. Since the bearings are located close to each other in the centre, therefore, centralized greasing systems are commonly used. It ensures that the grease reservoir is easily housed in and pipe runs are not too long. So, lubricating them properly is also needed for the proper functioning of the cement plant conveyor system. Also Read: Top 4 Tips To Properly Maintain Your Machines Bearings

Open Gears

There are different open-gears associated with the cement plant. Along with specific lubricants and automation types. The main requirement for these open gear lubrication systems is that the lubricant must be able to adhere to the entire revolution of the driven gear. Only then it will be able to provide the required protection.

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. 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. 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. Contact us here for more information.

How To Prevent Water Contamination In Your Industrial Lubricants

Industrial lubricants and oils make your machine last longer and improve its function. Therefore, knowing which type of lubricant to choose for your equipment is important as improper lubrication can affect your machine badly. Poorly maintained and mishandled lubrication can be exposed to water contamination and other problems. One of the critical qualities of an effective lubricant is its cleanliness. If the industrial lubricant is contaminated and you keep using it, it can lead to corrosion and part failure in your machines. Moreover, choosing the right industrial lubricant supplier is critical, so you know you are getting quality oils for your machines. Water contamination can cause many issues with your lubricants and machines. If you notice that your lubricant is getting contaminated due to water condensation, it is necessary to take the preventive steps. This blog post highlights the ways which can help you overcome water contamination in your industrial lubricants.

How Can Water Damage Your Machine?

Water ingression is a destructive contaminant in any lubricant. It can wreak havoc on your mechanical systems. The presence of water in the lubricant can cause rust and corrosion inside the machines. It diminishes the fluid’s load-carrying capacity and the ability to keep them separate. This leads to increased friction and abrasion between the surfaces and thus, leads to more wear and tear. Water contamination in the industrial lubricant leads to many corrosive acids such as carboxylic acid. The water vapor formation causes metal pitting, which is known as cavitation. Moreover, water contamination can also lead to metal cracking, making the machine weak and brittle. The vapor formation in the lubricant also causes the proliferation of microorganisms that may cause corrosion, sludge.

How To Prevent Water Contamination In The Oil

Water contamination can be avoided by taking special care and steps. The most basic step to avoiding water contamination is regularly scheduled oil analysis. This way you can find out whether the lubricant is contaminated or not and perform the required treatment timely. Such laboratory inspections and analyses give you better and more accurate results as compared to any other testing method or visual inspection. These analyses may also help you prevent water contamination.

Draining Settled Water

You can reduce free water contamination that is not emulsified or dissolved by the draining settled water method. However, for this method to work, certain technical conditions have to be met.

Vacuum Dehydration

This is another method of removing water contamination from industrial lubricants. It works by applying heat and reducing pressure, allowing the water to boil. This creates vapors at moderate temperatures. This method helps to dissolve the emulsified and free water, which makes it ideal for low-moisture tolerance systems.

Using Absorbent Filter Media

Some absorbent filter media can also help remove emulsified or free water content from your lubricants. Although this method might be effective if you only have to remove a small amount of water contamination, it is not suitable for removing substantial water contamination from the lubricant.

Using Centrifuge

This method uses spinning to remove water content from the oil. This method is suitable for oils with low specific gravity relative to water. Therefore, the greater the difference is between the specific gravity of water and oil, the more effectively it can remove water contamination from the oil.

Educate Your Team

The most basic step towards avoiding water contamination in your industrial lubricants is to educate your team about the proper placement and safety measures of its usage. Help them know which types of contaminants can be in the lubricants and how to analyze the oil’s condition. Ensure that they know when to change the oil and filters to avoid any sort of contamination. Test new lubricants before introducing them to the machines to ensure they are contamination-free. Monitor the machinery performance to predict the machine’s behavior and changes happening.

About Micro-Lube

Get your hands on top-quality industrial lubricants and oil filters at Micro-Lube. We have a complete range of high-grade industrial lubricants designed to meet all the requirements of its clients. Our expert team can help you apply correct lubricants for your machines while making significant cost savings and improving your equipment’s reliability and efficiency. Contact us here for further information.

5 Warning Signs Of Lubrication Failure

5 Warning Signs Of Lubrication Failure Lubrication failure can be defined as a lack of success in accomplishing lubrication goals in any equipment. We often attribute these goals to the lubricant’s correct selection and its quality only, but they are also supported by how we perform the lubrication methods we follow, and how efficient and effective our lubrication program is. The primary objectives of a successful lubrication program include:
  • Providing a lubricant film to decrease friction and wear and tear between moving parts.
  • Act as a heat-transfer fluid to reduce an equipment’s operating temperature
  • Remove contaminants from the lubricant and lubrication system.
  • Minimize the corrosion of metal surfaces and prevent the buildup of varnish and sludge in the system.

Oil Analysis

A successful lubrication program is essential to keep your manufacturing plant running smoothly. You can tell if your lubrication program is on track by carrying out a thorough oil analysis and lubrication test and comparing their results with previous reports. These analyses will also help you identify important signs that may indicate if your lubrication program is failing.

Spotting Problems

In the end, it is all about spotting problems before they can wreak havoc on your machine. Regular lubrication testing and inspection will extend your machinery’s life and reduce costly and inconvenient failures. When oil analysis takes place, it helps to spot various warning signs of lubrication failure. We mention some of these important signs below.

Total Acid Number

Testing for the total acid number is an essential part of oil analysis. It measures the amount of oxidation that a lubricant undergoes since its top-up in the machine. It is an important indicator of the lubricant’s performance and helps technicians predict the best time to change the oil. Unless the lubricant is properly stored in a sealed container, the air can quickly cause its oxidation, decreasing its effectiveness. A total acid number that is higher than the lubricant’s initial acid number is a key indicator of lubrication failure.

Particle Count

Dirt and other impurities in the environment can quickly accumulate in the lubricant, decreasing its effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to keep your lubricants clean. Having an effective filtration system will increase the longevity and quality of the lubricated equipment. Like the total acid number, the system’s particle count is an important warning sign of lubrication problems. A particle count provides information about the cleanliness of the system and the filtration system’s performance. As the particle count of a lubricant increases, its effectiveness decreases significantly. This indicates problems with the lubricant. To avoid lubrication failure you must replace your oil immediately.

Water

Water is a known enemy of lubricants. Although it is an issue in any area, environments with high moisture levels can impact your lubricants performance significantly. Different lubricants have varying tolerance for water content. Whenever the water content exceeds this acceptable level, it can decrease the lubricant’s quality, impacting its performance and lead to lubrication failure.

Metal

Running a metal analysis on a lubricant can also help you identify problems with your lubricant. As the equipment wears, it releases metal components in the lubricated area and into the lubricant. As with water content, different lubricants have varying tolerances for metal content. However, a lubricants metal analysis that shows too much metal present can indicate possible lubrication failure unless you change and replace the lubricant immediately.

Viscosity

Checking the viscosity of a lubricant is the easiest and the simplest way to determine lubricant performance. An increase in viscosity directly indicates a lubricants wear. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your lubricant before its viscosity changes more than 10 percent. You can easily measure a lubricant’s changing viscosity by tracking a fixed amount of oil as it travels through the system. These are the important signs that can help you determine whether your lubricant program is on track or not. For more information on lubrication failure and developing an effective lubrication program, visit our website or contact us here today.

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