Back to Lube-Tips™ Back Issues.

Lubrication Reliable Plant Oil Filter Selection Hydraulic Fluid Selection Synthetic Oil Gear Oil Selection

In This Issue:

• Today's Tip: Purge Grease Fittings Before Installing

• Book Bits: Turbine Oil Oxidation

• Lube-Trivia: Specific Gravity Differences

• Q & A: Switching to H1 Lubricants

Today's Tip

Purge Grease Fittings Before Installing

• Purge all new grease fittings with a grease gun before they are installed on your machine. Use the same type of grease that will be used later for regreasing. This practice will remove any dust, burrs or other debris that has collected inside the grease fitting. It will also reduce the risk of cross-contamination between different grease products. (Submitted by Randy Norton, Plant Maintenance Optimization Coordinator, Tucson Electric Power Company. Thanks Randy!)

Each tip published will earn the sender $50. Submit your tip.

Book Bits

Turbine Oil Oxidation

From "Aspects of Lubricant Oxidation"

Lubricating oil circulating in a turbine system deteriorates by oxidation. The rate of this process is determined by the oil characteristics, the presence of oxygen, the catalysts present, and the temperature levels to which the oil is exposed. Within the turbine oil system, air is present, and the metals of construction and the moisture present are catalysts.

The survey testing work reported previously develops some oil characteristic curves showing that the oil life halves for each increase of 10 degrees Celsius in the exposure temperature. From the characteristic curve for a lubricant and an understanding of the various temperature levels of the exposures, a lubricant life can be calculated.

More information about the book "Aspects of Lubricant Oxidation"

Lube-Trivia

Specific Gravity Differences

Test your knowledge and prepare for ICML lubrication and oil analysis certification with Lube-Trivia.

QUESTION: Is the specific gravity of a mineral oil typically higher or lower than synthetic lubricants?

For the answer, visit: http://www.lube-tips.com/trivia/20031008.asp

Q & A

Switching to H1 Lubricants

"I work in a food environment, and our health & safety Officer has suggested we switch to H1 foodgrade lubricants plant-wide? Is this a sound decision?"

If this is taken to its logical conclusion, all machinery, including that of transport vehicles and sub-contractors machinery would have to comply, at great expense. More importantly, apart from the premium cost of foodgrade lubricants (sometimes four times more expensive), their performance is, in certain cases, inferior to common mineral or synthetic formulated lubricants, potentially reducing the life of the equipment. In addition, as an H1 lube ages, oxidizes and becomes contaminated it may not maintain its H1 status.

There is a tendency to assume that the H1 lube is a fail safe option or simply a convenient substitute for poor maintenance, especially where pesky leakage problems have occurred. Conversely, a healthy, well-maintained machine can substantially reduce risk of contaminating a food product with a lubricant.

In many cases it is more cost effective to carry out proactive measures such as upgrading the seals, filters and breathers to prevent leakage. And, don't lose sight of the importance of regular inspection of machinery and your product. Of course there are always specific cases where employing an H1 Lube is the wise and safe decision.

While many users will insist on full H1 compliance, in my opinion, for those ancillary machines with low risk of incidental contact with a food product, it may be a better choice to invest in more stringent maintenance practices. A win-win situation for everyone.

Martin Williamson, Senior Technical Consultant, Noria UK

Submit your question here.

Please Forward This Issue to a Friend

If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates. Thanks so much!