Oil Analysis

Industrial machinery performs at peak efficiency only if every moving part is in top condition. Companies that use compactors, balers, conveyer systems and generators spend huge amounts of money on maintenance and repairs. This takes a large chunk out of company profits, but instituting a regular schedule of machine servicing based on the likelihood of machine parts failure can be accomplished through oil analysis. Sampling the lubricating fluids or coolants in a piece of machinery will provide information about when certain parts need to be replaced. An oil testing procedure is inexpensive and gives companies a deep understanding of equipment health.

Machine Wear And Oil Condition
A large turbine unit has numerous moving parts. Blades, rotors, shafts and fluid gaskets operate constantly and must be lubricated with a special petroleum or synthetic compound. This extends the usable life of the metal parts, but eventually the wear and tear requires these parts be replaced. The oil itself contains clues about the extent of machine wear, and a careful examination of the fluid will reveal any problems with bearings, valves, gear components or impellor shafts.

The oil acts as a depository for tiny particles of steel or iron. It also collects dust, grime, soot and water that may be entering the system from the outside environment. An oil analysis involves taking a sample of the fluid, running it through a battery of advanced testing procedures, and constructing a detailed report on the overall performance of the machinery.

No Stone Left Unturned
Laboratory technicians examine the particles suspended in the oil and check for size density and composition. An analytical ferrography is performed that uses electromagnetic to separate particulates from the fluid. The exact shape and size of suspended particles is determined, and the location from which the particles originated is established.

Laser light is used to identify particle density. The number of metal fragments present in the oil is accurately counted using this method. Any water content can be detected though a high-temperature crackle test. The acidity of the lubricant is determined through an automatic titration system. An oil bath is used to measure the viscosity of the fluid. Infrared absorption detects the presence of organic contaminants.

Compiling A Detailed Report
These are just a few of the tests performed on fluids taken from a turbine, generator, electric transformer or internal combustion engine. The findings are gathered together, analyzed, and noted on an easy-to-read graph. Machinery that is experiencing a problem with metal fatigue or structural integrity will show definite signs of particle wear, and the report generated by the testing laboratory is sent directly to the client.

This testing procedure can be repeated at regular intervals to determine whether accelerated particle wear is occurring within any type of industrial equipment. A constant monitoring program that involves oil analysis helps the client schedule proper maintenance on equipment, saving a tremendous amount on overhead costs.

TricoCorp – Is one of the leading oil analysis service providers in a USA. We have a lab where we perform tests such as  oil sample analysis coolants, lubricants, fuels testing etc.For more information please visit:-http://www.tricocorp.com