Extend Machine and Lubricant Life
   Through Contamination Control
February 24, 2005

In This Issue:

Two Processes for Keeping Oil Clean

Need Longer Filter Life?

Keep Oil Clean During the Run-In Period

How to Test for Particle Contamintion in Diesel Engine Oils

Effects of Contamination on Hydraulics

 

Two Processes for Keeping Oil Clean

Keeping oil clean involves two different processes:

EXCLUSION (keeping contaminants from getting in the oil). Sources of contaminants can include:

- New oil
- Ventilation and breathers
- Seals
- Wear generation
- Service and manufacturing debris
- Filter dumping
- Wash-down sprays and solvents

The cost of excluding a gram of dirt is probably only 10% of what it will cost you once it gets into your oil.

REMOVAL (getting contaminants out of the oil) Areas to consider:

- Proper filters for circulating systems
- Off-line filters for some splash/bath lubricated machines
- Portable filters for other machines
- Proper sump and reservoir management
- Timely filter servicing

Need Longer Filter Life?

From the The Practical Handbook of Machinery Lubrication

Never use coarse filters in an attempt to obtain longer filter life. If contamination levels are high and it is necessary to change filters often, obtain and install larger filters of the same quality to increase dirt capacity.

More about The Practical Handbook of Machinery Lubrication



Keep Oil Clean During the Run-In Period

Consider using a filter cart to remove contamination and wear particles during the run-in period for a new unfiltered system like a gearbox. Gearboxes produce an exceptionally large concentration of wear debris during run-in. After a successful run-in, the wear metal production rates falls to normal levels.

How to Test for Particle Contamintion in Diesel Engine Oils

Diesel engines, just like many other lubricated machines, are susceptible to wear from silt particles in the 1-10 micron range. While in hydraulic systems and other components, optical particle counting has become the norm to determine levels of fluid cleanliness; particle counting is rarely performed on diesel engine oils since these oils are not transparent enough to transmit light because of high concentrations of soot particles.

In this article, the procedure used to prepare diesel engine oils for optical particle counting is outlined.


Effects of Contamination on Hydraulics

Clearance sized particles can have the following effects on valves in hydraulic systems:

- Surface erosion
- Solenoid burnout
- Spool jamming/silt lock/stiction
- Slow response/instability

Resources


Clean hydraulic fluids and lubricating oils to increase machine productivity and maximize equipment life.
United Air Specialists, Inc.
1-800-252-4647
www.kleentek.com

 


Replace your drain plugs and monitor oil for dirt, water and discoloration.
Esco Oil Sight Glasses
E-mail | 800.966.5514

 


Remove sub-micron particulate
and prevent tar and varnish with ASL's patented Electrostatic Fluid Purification Systems.
Request information today!

 


The UM/US series of filters is designed to filter hydraulic fluids efficiently and cost effectively. Filters can be supplied as individual filters or as ready to install units.
e-mail



On-Site high speed purification and drying of contaminated lube systems.
Flow rates up to 5,000 gallons/hr. No downtime – we clean while you run!


Training Calendar

MARCH 2005

Machinery Lubrication I
1-3 Nashville, TN
1-4 Sydney, Australia
14-15 Santiago, Chile
15-17 Point Lisas, Trinidad
17-18 Guayaquil, Ecuador

Machinery Lubrication II
16-17 Santiago, Chile
17-18 Gdansk, Poland

Oil Analysis I
1-2 Oslo, Norway
7-8 Galicia, Spain
7-8 Jwaneng, Botswana

Oil Analysis II
1-3 Nashville, TN
3-4 Oslo, Norway
9-10 Galicia, Spain
9-10 Jwaneng, Botswana
16-17 La Paz, Bolivia

Oil Analysis – The Complete Course
16-18 Bangkok, Thailand

Técnicas de Lubricación
4 Barranquilla, Colombia
15 La Paz, Bolivia

Effective Mobile Equipment Lubrication
7-9 Boksburg, South Africa
30- April 1 Pretoria, South Africa

Análisis de Aceite para Equipo Móvil
1-2 Barranquilla, Columbia

APRIL 2005

Lubrication Excellence & Reliability World Conference
26-28 San Antonio, TX

Machinery Lubrication I
5-6 México, D.F., Mexico
12-14 Daegu, Korea
12-13 Madrid, Spain
12-13 Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa
13-14 Santa Cruz, Bolivia
18-19 Orapa, Botswana
25-26 Lima, Peru

Machinery Lubrication II
7-8 México
14-15 Madrid, Spain
14-15 Maracaibo, Venezuela
14-15 Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa
20-21 Orapa, Botswana
27-28 Lima, Peru

Oil Analysis I
5-7 Tampa, FL
12-14 Point Lisas, Trinidad
13-15 Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mantenimiento Proactivo y Análisis de Aceites I
12-13 Guayaquil, Ecuador

Oil Analysis – The Complete Course
19-21 Gdansk, Poland

Curso de Preparación para Certificación como
Analista de Lubricantes para Manquinaria MLA I
20-22 San José, Costa Rica

Effective Contamination Control
19-21 Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa

Técnicas de Lubricación
13 Maracaibo, Venezuela

Effective Mobile Equipment Lubrication
19-21 Durban, South Africa

Filtration Tips is published twice a month by:
Noria Corporation, 1328 E. 43rd Court, Tulsa, OK 74105 USA. (918) 749-1400

Because results will vary widely based on a number of factors, Noria Corporation cannot warrant the results of any material within this e-mail.

© 2005 Noria Corporation

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