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Bewildering Oil Analysis Results
David Spears, Fuels and Lubricants Technical Advisor,
Shell Canada
The particles showing up in the particle count are either
metals larger than the spectrographic analysis can detect
(i.e. > 7 microns) or more likely air particles entrained
in the oil. The former can be determined by ferrography.
The latter can be determined visually at the time of sampling
by taking a sample in a clear container and looking through
to a printed page on the backside of the sample container
to check clarity (air entrainment will create a haze).
To confim, heat the sample to about 400 F for an hour
to allow the air to release and retest particle count.
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