Plant Services - May 2008 - (Page 42) Reliability Lubrication cation points. To find the ideal or characteristic is the most The report sample point, review the equipcritical parameter for most ment’s lubricating system. Norapplications and can change mally, compressors and gearover time or more quickly in boxes are splash-lubricated equipment that sees extreme bath-type reservoirs/sumps and temperatures or high preshydraulic systems usually have sures or high speeds. Always circulation systems with a cenmonitor lubricant viscostral reservoir housing the bulk ity closely, to ensure that it is of the oil. within the targeted viscosity The optimum sampling range which will minimize method for a circulation syswear between critical equiptem uses a sampling valve or ment components. Some typispigot at a high f low point cal ISO viscosity grades for just downstream of the filtravarious industrial applications tion equipment. If this point include: is not available, take samples • Hydraulic systems: typifrom either the main return cally around ISO-46 to 68 line or secondary points that but can range from ISO Like so many other communication methods, your oil analysis reports can be furnished in digital format quite easily. are safely accessible. 32 to 220 based on service When sampling through a type where temperature, 7. Replace the protective cap on the fixed valve: speed or load demands valve. 1. Remove the valve protective cap. can vary. 8. Fill out the sample label and at2. Open the valve and drain about • Gearbox: typically around ISOtach it to the bottle. 4 ounces of oil through the valve 220 to 320 but can range from 9. Record any unusual operating into a slop bucket to flush any ISO 150 to 1000 based on service conditions (noise, leaks, temperastagnant oil or contaminants that type where temperature, speed ture, vibration, etc.). might have settled in the valve. and load demands can vary. Avoid sampling from reservoirs Don’t close the valve. • Air compressors: most typical is where possible as stratification and 3. Remove the sample bottle lid and ISO-46/68 but can range from ISO sediment can produce unrepresentaavoid introducing any environ32 to 150 based on temperature, tive samples that will adversely skew mental atmospheric or surface speed and load demands can vary. the results. If the equipment doesn’t contamination. If the viscosity changes by +/-15% of have a circulating system, which is the 4. Collect your oil sample, filling its original value, monitor the oil more case for some gearboxes, take samples the bottle only to the shoulder, frequently. Equipment can perform from the gearbox bath or sump. Insure leaving room for expansion and normally if the lube is outside of this that samples are taken several inches contraction. range, but it should be watched more from the bottom of the bath, to avoid If your analysis slate includes parclosely as this usually indicates changaccidentally including the insolubles/ ticle counts and you’re using standard es are needed. All equipment applicasludge layer that has appropriately production sample bottles instead of tions have stated recommended opersettled to the bottom. the “super-clean” variety, follow steps ating temperatures and recommended If you have any question about the 4a through 4c to obtain the most replubricants that meet that condition. most appropriate sample point, conresentable sample. If oil temperatures significantly vary sult the machine manufacturer for 4a. Dump the oil sample into the (particularly trending higher) it is recadvice. Once the optimum sampling slop bucket to flush and remove ommended to re-review the ISO grade location has been identified, note it any inherent bottle contamiof the oil to ensure that an appropriate in the maintenance records. This ennants. Don’t close the valve. film thickness is being provided to insures that future test results will pro4b. Collect another oil sample and sure efficient wear-free performance. vide the most accurate trend line and discard it, too. Lubricant manufacturers devote level of insight. 4c. Collect your final oil sample, substantial resources to formulatfilling the bottle only to the ing lubes that are robust enough to shoulder. perform with altered viscosity. Itís Viscosity can be a variable 5. Replace the sample bottle lid. important to have faith in your oil, Viscosity is a measurement of a lubri6. Close the sampling valve. but you should set a logical sampling cant’s resistance to flow. This variable 42 www.PLANTSERVICES.com May 2008 http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com
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