Q & A

"Can you filter out oxidation and if so what is the best method? I have heard that oxidation is a permanent chemical change and can't be filtered out."

Figuratively oxidation can be filtered, that is, it can be slowed or reduced through proactive maintenance best practices. In reality, oxidation can not be filtered since oxidation is a chemical process of aging in the oil driven by catalysts such as high temperature, water, air, metals (in the form of wear debris and contamination) and other contaminants such as fuels and process chemicals.

Hence minimizing the ingress of these will reduce or significantly slow the oxidation rate of the oil resulting in longer lubricant life.

However, by-products of the oxidation process such as acids and fine insolubles can be filtered out by the use of advanced filtration/separation technologies such as electrostatic separation or vacuum separation. Once these by-products have been removed, depletion of the additive package will have occurred, and this can be sweetened by the addition of additives on the guidance of your lubricant supplier. Of course, once the oxidation process reaches a certain stage, the viscosity is severely affected and the oil, selected as such for the application, is no longer fit for purpose, and this viscosity change is irreversible, hence complete change of the lubricant is required.

Today's Tip

• When converting from one grease to another double check to make sure that your soap bases and oils are compatible. The short and simple way to do this is to have your supplier or an independent test lab perform a Worked Penetration test on a mixture of the greases.

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Book Bits

From the book "The Practical Handbook of Machinery Lubrication":

Fighting the Effects of Friction in North America

According to a recent study, Canadian industry is needlessly wasting millions of dollars by ignoring problems related to friction and wear.

It seems Canadian industry could be saving itself well over $5 billion annually. How? By paying a little more attention to problems related to friction, lubrication, and wear.According to the study conducted by the National Research Council's Associate Committee on Tribology, Canada spends over $5 billion annually on problems of friction and wear that have been ignored, or unresolved. It seems ironic that in our age of space travel and high technology, much of industry does not understand the relationship between friction, wear, and the proper selection and application of lubricants.

The word tribology was introduced in the 1960s to mean the science and technology of the wear of surfaces in motion. Industries covered in the National Research Council’s Report on Tribology include mining, utilities, rail road, forestry, wood, pulp and paper, and others. It is not surprising that the potential for savings is staggering when applied to the plant and heavy industrial equipment used in these industries.

According to the study, the annual energy losses and maintenance costs due to friction and wear can be broken down by industry. Electric utilities lose $243M, the pulp and paper industry loses $487M, and rail transportation industries lose $750M. Forestry wastes $269M every year, while the wood industries lose $203M and mining operations lose up to $940M. (These industries alone waste over $2,892 million annually due to friction and wear losses).

One of the most interesting conclusions to emerge from the study, is that savings in almost all areas could be achieved by using existing technology. Huge savings are possible through improved lubrication practices, such as better housekeeping in oil storage areas, rationalization of viscosity grades and improved filtration and circulation systems – all of which are possible using existing technology and/or available products.

The study went on to suggest that if Canadian industry, including those listed earlier, took advantage of the existing technology and paid more attention to preventive/predictive maintenance techniques, much of this $2,892 million would end up on the bottom line."

For more information about the book "The Practical Handbook of Machinery Lubrication" go to:

http://www.noria.com/secure/product_detail.asp?catalogid=55

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