Tag: Micro-Lube

Benefits Of Using Chain Lubricants | Micro-Lube

  Generally, machines will not operate with a dry or rusty chain, almost every industry requires high-quality chain lubricants for their machinery. Although, different chain lubricants are used in different industries depending on the type of machinery and their usage. Various factors are involved in selecting a lubricant that can suit the demands of your machinery. For instance, a lubricant that serves well for textile machinery might not work well on bike chains. Regardless of the type of lubricant, each chain oil serves the same purpose and provides similar benefits to every machine. So chain lubricants are equally important for the efficient working of machines in every industry. To maintain the efficiency of the machines, the right choice of chain lubricant should be made. Using the wrong lubricant is as dangerous as not using a chain lubricant. Because a chain lubricant that does not suit the requirements of the machine can damage the chain material as well as the machinery. However, engine oil and industrial machine lubricant providers, supply chain lubricants that suit your machine. You can also take the advice of expert industrial lubricant suppliers to find the best solution that can serve your machine well and increase its performance. To understand the importance of chain lubricants the benefits of using them are discussed further in this blog. Hence, every machinery can get the same advantages regardless of the type of lubricant they use.

Smooth Working

A chain is used to operate different parts of a machine, so the working of the chain can affect the working of parts connected to it. The use of chain lubricant helps it rotate smoothly so that the parts connected to the chain can also have smooth movement. Along with that, the chain lubricants eliminate rusting and chances of breakage. A chains’ lubricant not only keeps the material of the chain in good condition but also protects it from damage. The lubricants behave as a protective shield on the chain that keeps it greasy and protects it from damage. Therefore, by using the proper lubricant the chain can be used for a long time as the lubricant increases the efficiency and life of the chain.

Low Energy Consumption

Commonly, the chain is responsible for the movement of the wheels, motor etc, so smooth and trouble-free movement of the chain is mandatory to operate the parts connected to it. On the other hand, if the chain is not working properly the engine will exert more effort to operate at the required speed, consequently, the engine will consume more energy to operate the machine. So using a chain lubricant can minimize the energy consumption as it helps the chain operate with good speed.

Saves On Repair Costs

Chain lubricants keep the structure and material of the chain in good condition, a dry and rusty chain can break due to high-speed rotation. The lubricants protect the chain due to which repairing costs are saved and work for a long time without needing to be repaired.

Less Maintenance

Generally, the chain is considered accurate, if it is working smoothly with excellent rotation speed. Less maintenance is required on machines that are operating accurately. Moreover, it is quite difficult to remove the chain from the machine for frequent maintenance. Hence, using chain lubricants can help you keep the chain intact in the machine for a long period of time. Also, you can save the effort and cost required for the maintenance of the chain.

Reduce Noise

A dry, damaged or un-greasy chain makes a lot of noise which affects its surroundings. Dry chains generate a very loud sound during rotation. Also, increased noise represents that it’s time for lubrication. Thus, lubricating the chain makes it greasy and easy to operate, eventually, minimizing its rotation sound. Also Read: Possible Causes Of A Noisy Bearing

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is a lubrication service provider. We at micro-lube provide exceptional lubrication products and services for your industrial and personal machinery. We aim to give professional, affordable, and personalized service to our valuable customers. Our experienced team can handle all lubrication tasks related to conveyor, and chain lubrication. In addition to lubrication, we also provide filtration services for your lubricants. You can check our wide range of products to find lubricants, filters, oil dispensers, and storage products. If you need any of our products, feel free to contact us, our team will give you the detailed information.

Tips For Trouble-Free Industrial Grease Lubrication

Lubrication is a fairly easy process and has no life or death dangers attached to it. But industrial grease lubrication, on the other hand, can lead to potential disasters, if not applied and carried out as efficiently as it should. The result of failures caused by this method can cost unexpected downtime, higher maintenance costs, or even personnel safety hazards. Grease lubricants involve much more than just inserting grease into a machine’s parts and then hoping for the best. It should be a well-planned and carefully performed procedure to ensure the equipment’s safe operation and achieve maximum service life. Before going into grease lubrication, make sure to get the required knowledge or hire professional service providers like Micro-Lube which has been in the industrial lubricants industry for several years now, and is ready to serve you with any assistance you want regarding industrial lubricants Also Read: What Causes Lubrication Failure? If you are looking for tips on trouble-free grease lubrication to minimize operation costs and increase machine efficiency, follow these tips. This blog post will guide you through some important tips to ensure the best operation.

Choose The Right Type Of Grease

When you think grease is just grease, there begins the death of your equipment. Many people get into trouble due to their ignorance about their grease selection. If you are aiming for the long trouble-free life of your equipment, your grease selection should include proper base oil viscosity, base oil type, thickener type, NLGI grade, and an additive package.

Decide Where And How To Apply

After selecting the right grease lubricant, determine the place where you have to apply the grease in the right way and the right amount. Some machines have a prominent place for applying grease, making the process a lot easier. But the most crucial tip is to look for any potential places and figure out the greasing points where grease must be applied. There can be hidden places where the grease may not be able to get to using regular methods, but there are tools available to ensure that every part gets its share.

Select The Right Grease Frequency

It is equally important to apply the right amount of grease in the right places. Make sure that no place is left empty and that the grease is spread evenly around the parts. Many people pick the wrong greasing frequency. This results in bad performance and results in the inefficiency of the machine. The frequency depends on a lot of factors, such as the degradation time of the grease, the workload of the machine, time, speed, and what kind of contaminants it is exposed to. A general rule of thumb is to grease the machines once every quarter or every month. However, this method rarely fits all equipment.

Monitor The Lubricants Performance

Once you have selected the right grease for lubrication and determined the greasing points, it’s time to monitor the effectiveness of the lubrication. It is necessary to evaluate the performance of the lubricant and adopt any changes over time as needed. One good way to measure the effectiveness of a lubricant is to test the sound of the equipment. A smooth and crisp sound without fluctuations indicates that the parts are working properly.

Choose The Appropriate Test Period

Maximum equipment life can be achieved by consistently measuring the lubricant’s effectiveness. It is important to monitor in-service grease consistency, as grease that softens too much or early on can run out of the machine or fail to stay in place. A grease that hardens with time can provide inadequate lubrication and increase the load and electrical consumption which consequently is bad for the machine’s performance. Make sure that you perform regular inspections of the equipment to look after the condition of grease.

To Sum Up

These were a few essential tips for trouble-free industrial grease lubrication. Greasing can be a tricky task. It is suggested that you should use professional lubrication products by an experienced company that provides the best solution for your needs.

About Micro-Lube

Micro Lube is a full-service lubrication company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to its 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 providing the best solutions for your equipment, which has earned our customers’ confidence in our products and services. Contact us here for more information. Also read related blog: Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System

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.

Lubricant Storage And Handling: It Matters More Than You Think

Lubricant Storage And Handling: It Matters More Than You Think Both the physics of machines and practical experience have made it clear that machines cannot fight friction without lubrication. Quality lubrication eliminates contaminants and other elements that increase the friction between the machine parts and cause wear and tear. What will happen to your machine if the lubricant you are using is not pure and clean? It will fail to do its job of reducing contaminants and even add to the cause. Read Also: What Are The Benefits Of Regular Oil Analysis? Poor in-plant storage and handling is often the root cause of chemical and moisture contamination. Hence, the storage and handling of lubricants is a more important task than most of us think it to be. The following blog elucidates the top reasons why proper lubricant storage and handling matters.

The 3Cs In Lubrication Storage And Handling

The easiest way to confirm you are doing well in terms of lubricant storage and collection is to make sure you and your team are pondering on these three elements.
  • Contamination avoid any type of contamination in the products.
  • Confusion take measures to prevent any confusion about any product, label them correctly, and ensure appropriate usage.
  • Containment ensure containment to prevent environmental pollution.
To improve the performance and service of lubricants their storage and handling procedures should be checked. Storage and handling are usually treated as afterthoughts. But, these afterthoughts have a significant impact on the performance of the lubricant program.

Lubricant Packaging

Lubricants are packaged in various forms such as drums, pails, totes, and bulk tanks to cater to different consumption rates and storage facilities. To select the packaging that best suit your needs consider the following points:
  • What is your average consumption rate? You can determine it based on historical data. This will help you determine the usage in a given period.
  • Maintain a safety stock at optimum level. This stock can account for emergency refills.
  • Try to ensure a first-in-first-out inventory system to ensure that the usage and storage flow can be maintained within the space limitations.
  • Determine the storage condition of your storage facility. Storage environment and storage conditions greatly influence the shelf life and purity of a lubricant.

Recommended Storage Life

Most lubricants have a manufacturer’s or lubricant distributor advised shelf life based on the additives they contain. For instance, the effectiveness of lubricants containing rust inhibitors after six months in storage. Conversely, some turbine lubricants with light additives can last on the shelf for up to three years. However, the shelf life of your lubricants highly depends on the storage conditions. Hence, most manufacturers provide proper storage guidelines for every lubricant to maximize the shelf life. Some conditions are proven to be effective for most lubricants, a few of them are listed below. Temperature fluctuations cause air siphoning. Along with air, moisture and other elements also enter the container and result in contamination. Extreme temperatures can cause chemical degradation. Depending on the formulation a rust lubricant may become less stable in an oil base leading to precipitation. This precipitation increases by manifolds in extreme cold and hot temperatures. A humid environment is not appreciable in storage facilities. Petrol-based lubricants are usually hygroscopic. When they are exposed to open air they readily absorb airborne moisture. The moisture immediately starts breaking down the additive package. This accelerates the oxidation of the lubricant’s base, once it is put into service.

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 its diverse customers. Our lubricants are available in various packaging to cater to all kinds of clients’ size needs. Similarly, our storage tools are the best to use for the sophisticated job of lubricant storage and keep them in usable condition for a long time. 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.

Why Do You Need An Oil Filtration System?

  An oil filtration system is the best way to clean new and used oil from all your industrial equipment. Filtering the oil and keeping it clean of moisture and contaminated particles will increase the life of the oil and will protect all your equipment from wear and tear. Most premature machine failures happen due to contamination, so if you want to protect your equipment, keep your new oil clean as it comes into your facility and keep it clean throughout its working life. Also, by using high-quality oil filters, you can protect your equipment oil from getting contaminated. But just make sure that you buy all your industrial oil filters from a certified industrial lubricant supplier. Also Read: Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Filtration Systems You can extend the life of your equipment by establishing an IS code cleanliness goal and by maintaining the quality of your oil filtration system. Small and large particles are the enemy of industrial equipment, so you can keep your equipment in good condition by removing all such particles. If you want to improve lubrication reliability, you must use a portable oil filtration system that screens the oil and removes large and small particles from your equipment’s oil. This blog post will tell you why you need an effective hydraulic filtration system in your facility.

The Problem: Contamination

Contamination control is the most important and integral part of any proactive maintenance strategy. Without it, you can’t keep your equipment in good working condition. The first primary step in keeping all your lubricants and oil clean and dry is to measure their potential impact on your machinery and oils. With this newfound information, it will become easier for you to take the appropriate actions to keep all your oil and lubricants in good condition. Another shocking piece of information that you must have is that most of the oil you purchase today has not been filtered before being sold. Yes, the oils may be newly refined and look translucent, but they have many particles that can contaminate your system. If you put this new oil into your machine without filtering it, there are two primary types of contamination that your equipment will get exposed to: dirt and water. And once dirt and water contamination enter the equipment, it will continue to generate new particles and will cause damage to your equipment. These particles will act as a catalyst for additive depletion and oxidation, which will further degrade the condition of your equipment’s oil. Water contamination will cause oxidation within the lubrication of your equipment and corrosion inside your equipment. These factors will threaten your equipment’s reliability and lubricant quality, but you can effectively control them with simple yet effective preventative maintenance techniques such as oil filtration systems. So to control the aforementioned problems, you need a high-quality oil filtration system in your industrial facility. Also know about the Oil filtration and its benefits.

How To Achieve Oil Cleanliness

Here are some steps that can help you achieve oil cleanliness:

Set Oil Cleanliness Targets

This is the first step that you need to take in order to achieve oil cleanliness. The ISO cleanliness code refers to the logarithmic scale used to determine the cleanliness of lubricants and oils. The ISO code for oil cleanliness is ISO 4406: 1999. In this system, the number of particles in 1mL of fluid is counted and arranged according to size. So to keep your equipment oil clean, you will have to set targets that you can achieve. So when you set lower ISO codes and moisture targets, it will result in greater reliability and the equipment lifes extension.

Take Action To Reach Set Targets

The second step is to take all the necessary actions to achieve oil cleanliness targets. So in order to fulfil all your oil cleanliness targets, you will have to take action. Here are some actions that you should take:
  • Avoid contaminant ingression.
  • Make sure the lubricants are kept clean and dry.
  • Avoid cross-contamination.
  • Use high-quality filter carts to dispense and clean the oil.

Monitor Oil Cleanliness

The last step of an effective contamination control program involves regularly monitoring the equipment’s oil condition and taking appropriate action if the goals are not met.

About Micro Lube

Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication system 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 the best industrial lubricant supplier in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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.

Different Types Of Oil Storage Containers

Oil storage containers are an important tool in industries and factories. They can store the oil and lubricant for longer periods without causing any lubricant contamination. Moreover, a proper oil storage system reduces the risk of oil spills and keeps the vicinity safe from any oil spill accident. There are different types of oil storage containers that are used in refineries, oil fields, industries, oil depots, and other applications. Surely you won’t want to get involved in an accident relating to an oil spill or the improper storage of lubricants in your industry. Improperly storing lubricants and oil can lead to costly damages and might affect your employees’ health and your business’ reputation. Therefore, it is necessary to know about the different types of oil storage containers and how you can safely store them. As most modern oil storage containers should meet UL SU2258 standards, it becomes necessary for you to know about the different types of oil storage containers. They should comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This blog post mentions the different types of oil storage containers and their uses.

Types Of Oil Storage Containers

Steel And Polyethylene Containers

The demand for oil storage containers and their material is changing. Modern oil storage containers are either made of stainless steel or polyethylene. Stainless steel is used instead of regular steel because regular steel has the tendency to rust and corrode sooner compared to stainless steel. This causes oil contamination and leaching out of oil additives sooner compared to stainless steel. Therefore, most industries and factories typically use stainless steel oil storage containers for bulk oil storage. Such oil containers are also especially used with oil dispensing racks. Moreover, stainless steel containers can last for years, and you do not have to worry about constantly replacing or changing them with new containers. On the other hand, polyethylene storage containers also have many advantages and are used in applications from small oil sampling to large bulk oil storage. Polyethylene oil storage containers give you semi-visibility. So it is easy for you to check oil levels inside the container without opening them, and becoming exposed to the lubricants, or exposing the lubricants to the open air. Moreover, polyethylene oil storage containers offer better longevity and require very little maintenance. They have thicker sidewalls and better flexibility which allows them to absorb impact and jerks. They are more flexible than stainless steel or other oil storage containers, improving their overall life span. Moreover, polyethylene oil storage containers are also lightweight, which helps in their better and easy mobility. They are seamless and prevent rusting, unlike stainless steel or other steel options.

Portable Oil Storage Containers

Portable oil storage containers are also there to help you move the lubricant around when you need to transport it from one service area to another. Most of these portable oil containers are resealable containers and come in a range of sizes, and can handle more than 400 gallons of lubricants and oil. However, you need to make sure that such containers are equipped with pumps and hose reels for dispensing oil.

Double-Wall Oil Storage Containers

Such containers use an inner and outer layer as an extra layer of safety and reliability for the lubricant inside. This type of container uses an inner layer and an outer layer as a secondary containment. Such double wall oil containers can be configured to fit into an oil dispensing system and provide better protection. These types of oil storage containers are ideal for storing diesel, brake or power steering fluids, and biofuels.

About Micro Lube

Do you want high-quality lubricant-related products? Get all types of oil storage containers at Micro-Lube. Micro Lube provides state-of-the-art industrial filtration and storage products. We have many different types of filtration and oil storage systems in stock. You can also find filters for all kinds of big machinery used in plants and mining systems. We deliver products all across Canada. If you do not find what you are looking for on our website, please contact us for more information and for industrial oil supplier in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Common Types Of Oil Filter Failures And Prevent Techniques

What Are The Common Types Of Oil Filter Failures And How To Prevent Them Oil filters are responsible for supplying filtered and clean oil to your equipment’s important components and parts. There are different types of oil filters that perform different functions, but one common element among all oil filters is that they all are used to ensure that quality lubricants are being supplied to all the essential parts of your equipment so that it works properly. So if there is a problem with your oil filters then it will lead to bigger problems as proper lubrication will not reach your equipment hence oil filter failure will lead to complete equipment failure. Hence it is important that you know the common ways oil filters can fail so that you can detect them easily and avoid bigger filtration problems. Also, it is important that you buy your oil filters from an authentic industrial oil filter supplier. Also Read: Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Lubricant If you want to increase the lifespan and efficiency of your equipment then you need to be proactive at detecting common oil filter failure on time so that you can take the right measures. In this blog post, we will outline the common types of oil filter failure and their solutions.

Channeling

The most common type of oil filter failure is channeling, which is also known as media pore erosion. In challenging the filter screen or weave is bombarded by high-speed abrasive particles such as wear metal or sand. All these particles slowly erode the oil filter material and enter your equipment system by lodging into the filters’ pores. So if you see an upward trend in the number of large particles in your particle count test this is an indication of channeling. You can prevent this failure by maintaining and checking the equipment’s seals and gaskets.

Fatigue Cracking

Another type of oil filter failure is fatigue cracking, also known as matrix deformation. In this failure, the oil filter weaves wraps due to operational stresses such as harsh cycle shifts of flow and pressure. Fatigue cracking will make the oil flow bypass the filter and will let the contaminants enter your equipment’s system. This oil filter failure will increase the particle count in your oil. This type of contamination will lead to the poor function of the equipment and will decrease the lifespan and efficiency of your equipment. Hence to avoid this oil filter failure you will have to do regular maintenance and analysis of your equipment and its parts.

Blocking Or Plugging

Another common oil filter failure that you will have to deal with is plugging. If the filters are overworked without a timely oil change and proper maintenance then they will degrade over time. If the oil filter has worked for a prolonged period of time without any change or analysis then it will further increase the chances of plugging. An increase in plugging leads to carbon sludge and varnish. The contaminated filters can also affect the oil flow and restrict the filtration process. Since plugging is caused by the consecutive work of the oil filter, by replacing the oil filter you can reduce this problem.

Media Migration

Media matrix rapture or media migration oil filter failure is very similar to fatigue cracking. The only difference is that instead of wrapping the oil filter and bypassing them, the high flow and pressure partially destroy the filter and rupture the material out of the oil filters’ structure. Moreover, the normal contaminants don’t get caught in the filter, so new contaminants are introduced into your equipment’s system in the form of failed filter pieces. Media migration is the worst type of filter failure as it essentially is the other three filter failures happening simultaneously, hence it is difficult to detect immediately. You can prevent media migration by conducting daily visual inspections of the system, observing pressure and flow behavior and by performing regular routine maintenance activities such as installing oil filters and changing the oil.

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.

Why Water-Oil Separation Is Crucial For Industrial Settings

Why Water-Oil Separation Is Crucial For Industrial Settings Water contamination is usually known as the scourge of any machine. The eternal battle continues between lubricant technicians in the wet process industries such as paper and pulp. The competition between outdoor machine applications such as construction and mining and frequent machine washdowns like food processing never seems to come to an end. However, water contamination hazards are not only limited to these industries. They affect all kinds of plants and industries. Both oil and machines are affected by water. Water promotes the oxidation of lubricants base oil and releases additives that attract water. Later, the water settles towards the bottom of the sump. Water hydrolyzes additives which affect the performance of machines. In some cases, this hydrolysis can produce highly corrosive by-products. Resultantly, lubricants degraded by water cannot lubricate and protect the machine efficiently. This inefficiency can lead to severe wear and tear. Read More: What Causes Lubrication Failure?

Water Induced Wear Mechanisms

Common water-induced wear mechanisms include:

Rust And Corrosion

For the production of iron oxides, water attacks steel and iron surfaces. Water binds with the acids in the oil to boost its potential to attack ferrous and non-ferrous metals. As a result, the surfaces deteriorate rapidly in the presence of rust and corrosion, which invite abrasive particles. Rust is also abrasive. Abrasion exposes fresh nascent metal that deteriorates rapidly in water and acids.

Vaporous Cavitation

If vapor pressure reaches low-pressure points of the machine, such as the suction line at the pump, then vapor bubbles expand. Vapor bubbles need exposure to high pressure suddenly, such as in the load zone of a journal bearing. The water bubbles contract at high pressure and go back to the liquid state. Consequently, water droplets impact parts of the machine with force in the form of needle-like micro-jets. This damages the machine and causes erosion and localized surface fatigue. Water contamination also gives the oil the ability to entrain air and increase gaseous contamination.

Film Strength Loss

With elastohydrodynamic (EHD) contacts, the pitch line of gear tooth, and rolling bearing, the strength of lubricating film increases. The increase in the film is due to the viscosity of the oil, which increases with pressure. However, water does not possess the same property. The viscosity of water remains constant and drops slightly with the increase in pressure. Accordingly, the addition of contaminants in water increases contact fatigue and surface-to-surface contact. In high-pressure zones, tribo-chemical reactions cause blisters and embrittlement.

Managing Water Contamination

One of the most effective ways to prevent water contamination is to keep water out from the oil. Water makes its way into reservoirs or sumps where machines interface with the environment. Tips to keep oil void of water are as follows:
  • Mange new oil efficiently
  • Use high-quality shaft and wipe seals
  • Avoid sprays with high pressure in areas near seals if possible
  • Maintain heating/cooling and steam water system seals

Gravity Separation

Water has a higher specific gravity than hydraulic fluids. Due to its high gravity, it settles down at the bottom of the reservoir. The effectiveness of gravity separation improves by using a cone-shaped tank and increasing the fluid temperature. However, gravity separation is not capable of removing dissolved water completely.

Centrifugal Separation

The spinning of fluid can magnify the difference between the specific gravity of water and the fluid. Centrifugal separation removes free water more rapidly than a gravity separator. Moreover, centrifugal separators can remove emulsion water based on the relative strength of centrifugal force and the emulsion of the separator. However, centrifugal separators cannot remove dissolved water.

Vacuum Distillation

This technique can remove emulsified, free and dissolved water. Vacuum distillation units work by effectively boiling water at 150 to 160° and distributing oil over a large surface. Vacuum distillation also removes solvents, fuels, and refrigerants. However, additive vaporization can occur with this technique.

Conclusion

Water contamination can become a severe threat to machines. Machines can become vulnerable to deterioration due to the contamination of water. You should try to keep water away from the oil of your machines. So, technicians should be requested to remove water from the machines.

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.

Benefits Of An Oil Bulk Storage System

Benefits Of An Oil Bulk Storage System Any industry that undergoes a tremendous amount of work every day and involves many machines depends on an efficient lubrication system. The need for an efficient lubrication system is important because it helps in reducing downtime, improves operating profitability, and increases the overall efficiency of the operation of that industry. However, lack of proper lubrication and the inability of oils at the time of need can cause downtimes and might lead to significant loss in the industry. Keeping the need for lubrication under consideration, it has become necessary to make sure that all the lubricants and related products are readily available. This is necessary to avoid hurdles in the hour of need as bulk oil storage makes it possible to make readily available all the necessary lubricants. In the past, people used to store lubricants in drums of 55 gallons or more. At that time, it was considered to be the simplest and most efficient way of keeping the lubricants and delivering them wherever necessary. However, storing the lubricants in the drums increased the risk of contamination and human error and caused other safety issues. Therefore, some other method was required where lubricants could be stored for a long time without any potential risk of contamination. That is where the bulk storage system for lubrication played its active role to have a central location for all the lubricants. It also helps in reducing contamination and aids in the easy dispensing of lubricants. This blog post also highlights the importance and benefits of keeping the lubricants and other oils in bulk systems.

The Bulk System Is Visually Intuitive

Previously lubricants were stored in drums, and drum labels were hard to read. This often made it difficult for the workers to locate a certain type of lubricant based on its name, viscosity, date code, manufacturer, equipment application, and so on. Moreover, the labels on the drums easily faded, making it unreadable or unexplainable which lubricant was in that drum. All this difficulty in reading led to the usage of the wrong oil in the wrong type of machine. Therefore, such wrong applications led to costly and potentially dangerous safety issues and errors. On the other hand, the bulk storage system uses color-coded options to make lubrication more visually intuitive and easier to read for everyone. They eliminate any guesswork from the maintenance process and also avoid any cross-contamination. The labels on bulk storage systems are easy to read and consistently placed. The workers have to spend less time finding the right type of lubricant for a particular machine, and therefore, ensure that the right lubricant goes to the right machine at the right time.

It Reduces Labor Costs

A bulk lubrication storage system also reduces labor costs because it eliminates the continuous removal and replacement of the gallon drums. In a bulk storage system, less time is spent on such types of chores, and that reduces the labor cost significantly.

It Eliminates Contamination

Contamination is the enemy of proper lubrication, and it is even more common in drum storage systems. Bulk storage lubrication systems avoid contamination because they are properly stored. Many people have this misconception that new oil is clean oil. However, this is not the case. In the drum system, drums are sometimes left partially open, which are exposed to the environment and provide a breeding ground for contamination. Moreover, improper storage environments, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to moisture and dirt can cause significant contamination in the lubricants. On the other hand, bulk storage systems provide a centralized hub for the proper storage of lubricants and avoid any kind of exposure to moisture and dirt. They are compliant with the cleanliness, and reliability and thus avoid any type of cross-contamination or environmental contamination.

Final Words

A bulk storage system can provide better safety and reliability. It helps in using the correct type of lubricant in the correct machine due to the easily readable codes. Moreover, the reduced risk of contamination also makes it one of the best methods to keep your lubricants.

About Micro-lube

Are you looking for a wide range of lubricants and related products? 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.

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