ARTICLE
shelf life of lubricants. The database management of stocks
availability, stock sold, stock unused, stock contaminated or
degraded, sampling stock etc should be done through MIS
for proper control and maintenance. Aggressive handling
mechanism should be adopted to maintain the quality of
various ois.
Proper Dispensing
How theoi[s & lubricants will be dispensed without
compromising with the quantity and quality of oil? Proper
filtration system needs to be installed so that the oils and
lubricant does not lose its essential characteristics while
transferring, storage and dispensing. All oils and lubricants
must be protected against any contamination, moisture and
temperature to maintain the quality and performance.
Regular Inspection and Testing
A team of experts doing the testing and inspection of oils
&lubricants should check the quality of oils, lubricants
and grease and the storage area conditions which may be
improper and for the implementation or proper techniques
for ensuring the standard quality of products. Checking
of storage equipment and containers like drums and other
apparatus for transfer and delivery of the products has also to
be properly examined from time to time and proper Reports
should be maintained for implementing further course of
action. Inspection and Testing has a great role in storage and
handling and also stock management.
The primary sources of contamination:
A. Built-in during manufacturing and assembly process.
B. Ingested from outside the system during operation from
Reservoir Vent Ports, Power Unit Openings, Maintenance
Events and Cylinder Rod Seals etc.
C. Contaminated New Oil, Although hydraulic and lubrication
fluids are refined and blended under relatively clean
conditions, the fluid travels through many hoses and
pipes before it is stored in drums or in a bulk tank at the
user’s facility. At this point, the fluid is no longer clean as
the fluid lines it has travelled through have contributed
metal and rubber particles, and the drums have added
flakes of metal or scale. Storage tanks are a real problem
because water condenses in them causing rust particles.
Contamination from the atmosphere can also find its way
into the tank unless satisfactory air breathers are fitted.
D. Depending upon the condition of storage of fluid, the
principal contaminants on delivery to the machine may
be metal, silica and fibres. With fluids from reputable
suppliers, sampling has shown typical Cleanliness Levels
of 18/16/14 or dirtier. A reliable Oil Management machine
like ‘SYSTEMGUARD’ which is provided with high efficiency
filters, should be used to remove the contamination from
new fluids before filling it into the hydraulic or lubrication
system.
JuNe-july 2018 | Global MDA Journal | 9