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Justifying an Oil Analysis Program
KC Hyland, Reliability Technician, BP Canada
Chemicals
First I would have went into the Maint records and find any
records that have anything to do with bearing failures and Question
whether or not any of these failures were caused by contaminated
oil.
I would than explain to the manager that there would be some
big savings in oil consumption as you would be able to extend
some of your oil change intervals. Without having any oil analysis
program you would have to be using the manufactures recommended
oil change intervals, which are in most cases very conservative
to say the least.
I would than explain that with a proper oil analysis program
there would be better training and awareness through out the mill
in regards to proper oil handling, storage, and selection. By
taking the manager out into the plant you would be able to show
him many places where oil is stored wrong and leaking out of seals
and plugs. You would than explain to him that where ever oil leaks
out contamination and water can leak in.
You would also explain that there may be allot of equipment running
with contaminated oil throughout the plant that is taking years
off the life of these pieces of equipment.
You could also show him that there is lots of money to be saved
by selecting better oil to run in critical pieces of equipment
and that there is money to be saved in energy consumption by properly
lubricating your equipment and by keeping proper oil levels.
These are a few of the things that would help convince a manager
that an oil analysis program is viable for the Mill and with a
good oil analysis program comes education and the ability to trouble
shoot major equipment failures way before vibration analysis can
pick up the damage. Usually the time vibration picks up the frequencies
that are associated with bearing wear irreversible damage has
already happened. Although you need both programs in the Mill
Oil analysis would prove to be the first line of defense and pay
for itself in dividends in the years to come.
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