MACHINERY LUBRICATION- INDIA MARCH-APRIL 2020 | Page 4

FROM THE DESK
Publisher’s
Note
P
roper oil sampling is critical to
an effective oil analysis program.
Without a representative sample,
further oil analysis endeavours
are pointless.
There are two primary goals in obtaining a
representative oil sample. The first goal is to
maximize data density. The sample should
be taken in a way that ensures there is as
much information per millilitre of oil as
possible. This information relates to such
criteria as cleanliness and dryness of the
oil, depletion of additives, and the presence
of wear particles being generated by the
machine.
The second goal is to minimize data
disturbance. The sample should be
extracted so that the concentration of
information is uniform, consistent and
representative. It is important to make sure
that the sample does not become
contaminated during the sampling process.
This can distort and disturb the data,
making it difficult to distinguish what was
originally in the oil from what came into
the oil during the sampling process.
To ensure good data density and minimum
data disturbance in oil sampling, the
sampling procedure, sampling device and
2 | March - April 2020 |
sampling location should be considered.
The procedure by which a sample is drawn
is critical to the success of oil analysis.
Sampling
procedures
should
be
documented and followed uniformly by all
members of the oil analysis team. This
ensures consistency in oil analysis data and
helps to institutionalize oil analysis within
the organization.
In establishing a filtration program, several
factors must be considered, such as the
type of filtration device, type of
contaminant being filtered (water or
particles), the viscosity of the lubricant,
and the type and location of the machine.
A bulk storage tank and larger, more
critical machines may use dedicated piping
in their filtration systems, while smaller,
less critical units may employ portable
filtration. These portable systems can be
easily transferred from one machine to
another. However, to avoid cross-
contamination, it is best to have a dedicated
filter system for each lubricant viscosity.
A successful oil analysis program requires
an investment of time and money to make
sure the proper sampling hardware is fitted
to the machinery. It is important to
understand that not all locations in a
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machine will produce the same data.
We would like to thank our readers for the
great response to our previous edition’s
cover story – “Extending Oil Change
Intervals: How to manage the unintended
consequences”. Our current issue’s cover
story is “Oil Sampling and Filtering: How
to Save Money and Reduce Your Carbon
Footprint” which will help our readers to
know about oil sampling program and the
impact of improved filtration and sampling
practices. You will find much more in this
edition.
The threat of COVID-19 causing massive
outbreaks that overwhelm health systems
around the world is serious. This is a global
issue but sooner or later we shall overcome
this situation.
Read ‘Machinery Lubrication India’ during
this home quarantine!!
Stay Safe.
As always, we welcome your feedback &
suggestions.
Warm regards
Udey Dhir