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When
used as an oil analysis tool various
machine and oil combinations will show unique trends
during the life of the machine and oil.
These characteristics are seen as bands or
zones of different colors, densities and even unwanted
wear metals and debris.
Ideally,
a reference oil is tested to establish a baseline of
fresh, clean new oil.
Subsequently,
used samples from a machine are spotted on the
chromatography substrate at regular, time based
intervals. Changes
in the appearance of the zones/bands are a clear
indication that something has changed in the
lubricant.
As
with most analytical methods, this method is not a
predictor of future performance, rather a measurement
of the situation at the time of sampling.
A
closer look at the zones, their unique formation, and
the debris field contained therein will reveal high
particle counts that can be correlated to ISO Code,
water contamination and even wear debris.
This can be done with the unaided eye if the
situation is severe or a 10 power microscope in
cleaner systems.
As
shown in the gear oil examples the changes in the oil
from a clear, clean new oil to a dark oxidized looking
used oil were confirmed by sophisticated laboratory
analysis methods.
In fact the level of oxidation of the #1 sample
was not detected by the acid number, but was suspect
in the chromatogram and confirmed by the Infrared
analysis as having higher oxidation products than the
fresh oil.
The
gear oils show ever increasing signs of oxidation as
the color of the center zone and the density of the
dark outer zone indicate.
The acid numbers and Fourier Transform Infrared
Analysis (FTIR) correspond to the results.
In this case there was an additional sample
that came in with this set and is shown after the FTIR
scans. It
was obvious this was not the same oil and the FTIR and
Inductively Couple Plasma Spectrometer (ICP) confirmed
the results.
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| Fresh
Gear Oil |
#1
Used OK |
#2
Used Oxidized |
#3
Used Oxidized |
| Acid
.86 |
Acid
.86 |
Acid
1.12 |
Acid
1.12 |
 |
|
FTIR
Scan shows the used oils contain products of
oxidation as determined by the carboxylic acid
formation at ~1740 cm-1wavenumbers. |
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Wrong
Gear Oil in Service
Acid Number 0.86
Phosphorus was 3x higher than reference oil. |
Numerous
industry sources have noted that a very large percent
of all machine problems are lubricant related and that
an equal number of problems are due to contamination
of the lubricant.
This combined total is in the 60% to 65% range.
This being the case, the method of analysis
described here can make a huge and immediate impact of
the cost of oil analysis, maintenance, oil changes and
overall operational costs.
One
simply has to establish a baseline of new oils for
each machine, spot the machines lubricant on a regular
basis and look for changes in the results.
When changes are observed further laboratory
analysis may be warranted to further understand the
source of the abnormal observation.
Once this is done, it may not be necessary to
send laboratory samples out again for this machine and
lubricant combination, simple record the finding and
use your plants “Thin Layer, Radial, Planar
Chromatography analysis tool to monitor the equipment.
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