Oil analysis is Techenomics’ core business
Analysis of oil and fluids is the core business of Techenomics and the company consistently demonstrates that this procedure can predict issues with engines and components before they cause costly breakdowns or engine failure.
As an independent and innovative provider of oil and fluid analysis, Techenomics is constantly seeking improvements to its methods thereby enabling customers to stay ahead of the bunch.
The company’s CEO Chris Adsett said this was particularly important during difficult times for mining, manufacturing and construction industries.
“With these industries always seeking ways to increase productivity and reduce costs it is important for suppliers and providers like Techenomics to assist them through improvements and innovations. A major part of this process is to ensure we do our core business to the best of our ability, which includes ongoing reviews,” he said.
Tests carried out by Techenomics measure a wide range of chemical, physical and performance properties. The tests areused for quality control, product development and product performance classification. The objectives of oil analysis are to evaluate the condition or age of oils in service; to detect and measure harmful foreign contaminants; and to evaluate the condition of the machine being lubricated.
Analysis is performed to improve the quality of maintenance decisions. This is accomplished by directing the testing program around these categories:
- Fluid property analysis – assessing chemical, physical and additive properties of oil.
- Contamination analysis –assessing the foreign matter or substances that enter a lubricant and machine from the environment or are generated internally.Contamination compromises reliability and promotes premature lubricant failure.
- Wear debris analysis -as components wear they generate debris in the form of small particles. Lubricant is usually the first recipient of wear debris due to its proximity to the surface where it was formed.
To perform an effective oil analysis, the following criteria need to be considered:
- Lubricant type/quality;
- Lubricant health/condition;
- Lubricant contamination;
- Wear and fault detection;
- Miscellaneous failure root cause; and
- Maintenance, operations and commissioning.
Chris Adsett said, “You can’t compare apples to oranges and you should consider discussing with your lab the test methods and equipment used to carry out your analysis. This will help you understand the process, the causes of engine and component issues, and put you a better position to effectively compare results of inter-laboratory cross checks.”
The methods and equipment to consider are:
- Primary equipment tests – Elemental Spectroscopy, Viscometer, FTIR, Flash Point Tester, KF, BN and AN Titrator.
- Secondary tests – Ferrous Debris analyser, Ultracentrifuge, Membrane Patch Calorimetry, Dielectric measurement, Optical Soot meter, Blotter Spot testing, Calcium Hydride Moisture testers, Glycol Reagent method, Linear Sweep Voltametry, Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
For more information about Techenomics and its fluid management services contact Chris Adsett, e-mail c.adsett@techenomics.com or Leo Valenz, e-mail leo.valenz@techenomics.com.
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