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Selecting Machines for Oil Analysis
Brian G. Mann, Rotating Equipment Analyst, ConocoPhillips
- Trainer Refinery
Decision on which equipment should receive routine oil analysis
should be based on 1)Criticality - does it cause unit or plant
shutdown, production losses, or unacceptable quality reduction;
2)Unspared vs. spared - if no other component can take its place
during maintenance.
Decision on which tests to perform will depend on what service
the component is in, equipment type, lubricant type, expected
lubricant deterioration mode. All lubes should receive viscosity
and particle count testing. Spectrographic and microscopic analysis
should be done to monitor component wear, additive depletion,
and contamination. Karl Fisher water should be run on components
driven by steam turbines or in humid environments. Flash point
should be run on seal oil system lubes for process contamination.
AN should be monitored on all lubes tested to alert to oxidation
buildup and corrosive conditions.
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