How to control Industrial lubricants contamination?
Industrial lubricants:
Contamination in Industrial lubricants will cause wear and tear in machines. Due to Particulate contamination & ingression of moisture it doesn’t take long for equipment to become gritty, dirty, and full of debris. It is hard to avoid in all equipment which use hydraulic or lube oil. Preventing the contamination is much easier and less expensive than clearing it from the contamination system.
What are the causes for the contamination in machine lubricants?
There are many reasons for solid particle contamination.
- It can occur due to the addition of new oil.
- Built in contamination
- Along with the ambient air created by machine, machine borne particles will enter the lubrication system.
- Water contamination can happen when oil stored outside will get exposed to the adverse weather.
- Water spillage during the production process can also contribute to the water contamination.
What are steps we can follow to avoid this contamination?
- General maintenance
Maintaining cleanliness is the key to avoid contamination. Dirt which gets inside the machine has to be in its surrounding area like exterior of the machine or the lubricant transfer equipment.
Prioritize the routine surface cleaning by establishing an equipment maintenance plan. Equipment and workspace should be regularly cleaned and detoxified using an enzymatic cleaner.
This should be done on the machinery, storage area of the lubricants and transfer equipment.
- Train the Staff
Contamination can be a result of lack of knowledge of operating staff. It is important to train everyone who works with the system to understand the consequences of contamination. They will be well trained about the preventive steps to be followed
- Proper Storage
Make sure your storage containers are not loose and generic. Store them in a clean designated place. Keep them color coded so that you can pick the right one when needed.
- Oil change intervals
Changing oil and filter more often can keep the system contamination free but increases system’s vulnerability. Delaying the process will wear out the filtration system degrading the lubricants. It is necessary to perform regular condition checks for the better understanding of machine requirements.
Shell lube analyst is a must needed health check for your lubricants and equipment. Shell Lube Analyst helps your oil condition monitoring programmed. It improves equipment reliability and saves your maintenance money.
Need more information on machine and lubrication maintenance? Reach us Shell Lube Analyst.
