WHAT ARE LUBRICANTS? ?? AND HOW ARE THEY IMPORTANT ???
Lubricants are exclusive part of machine or a system. These Lubricants are themselves vital components, whose condition is as important as that of other components. Lubricants are unique because they can be sampled and inspected in great detail without any kind of damage to the machine and often without disturbing its use. Performing correct test on the lubricants can thereby reveal a great deal about the good condition of the plant, regardless of it being a bearing, a gearbox, a rolling mill or any lubricated system.
IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING LUBRICANTS
1.Toprovide theinformationaboutphysical&chemical information about lubricant itself.
2. To obtain information about the mechanical and operational condition of all the components in the lubricated system.
Systematized testing of lubricant samples from the specially designed equipment is called Lubricant Monitoring. Proper Monitoring of Lubricant has largely been developed since 1950s and now involves many expensive techniques. Such techniques can only be justified where the lubricated equipment or machinery itself is large and expensive or where the safety problems are in consideration. However, simple tests can also be efficiently used in small systems.
The removal of lubricant sample for analysis somewhere has limitations such as problem in finding a reachable sampling point, the labour involved in taking samples, delay in transporting and receiving samples from labs. As a result there in increase in demand for on-line Lubricant monitoring techniques and a wide variety is now available. On-line techniques are less informative than that of offline or conventional techniques, but they have instant response as advantage. The choice between both online and offline is not that simple. One needs to consider all things such as safety and cost etc.
MONITORING LUBRICANT QUALITY
Taking lubricant sample from a system from time to time and testing it, ensures a great deal about knowing condition of lubricant. This information can then be used as a basis following number of decision:-
- If condition of lubricant is good, it may be possible to leave it unchanged for some more time.
- If the lubricant and additives are not degraded but there is solid contamination, it must be drained, cleaned and refilled to the system.
- If there are signs of breakdown, it signals planning a shutdown for a oil change and required maintenance.
- If the condition of lubricant is very poor, it may indicate that the oil should be drained and replaced immediately.
PROBLEMS DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICANT MONITORING
- Oxidation
- Overheating
- Depletion of Additives
- Contamination
Conclusion
Monitoring lubricants is essential to ensure optimal equipment performance and reliability.It helps detect contamination, degradation, and abnormal wear before failures occur. Regular monitoring enables predictive maintenance, reducing unexpected downtime and repair costs. Ultimately, it extends equipment life, improves efficiency, and ensures smooth operation.
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