Condition monitoring of fuels and lubricants used in industrial plant and equipment has become one of the main weapons in the fight to reduce premature failure of engines, gearboxes and hydraulic systems. In particular, determining the presence of water or the gradual degradation of the TBN (Total Base Number) of the engine oil can be one of the first indicators of potentially expensive and possibly catastrophic failure of the plant.
Regular sampling and analysis of fuel, lubricating and hydraulic oils will enable maintenance engineers to assess the condition and performance of their machinery oils over time, allowing critical adjustments to be made to ensure maximum operational performance and efficiency. Downtime is extremely costly and in most cases avoidable if proactive maintenance of critical machinery is adopted.
Key indicators for oil condition include; Total Base Number, Total Acid Number, Water in Oil, Density, Compatibility, Viscosity, Insolubles and Pour Point. Effective management and control of these parameters is essential to meet the daily operational requirements of the machine.