Maintaining clean oil is one of the best investments a company can make, yet contamination often remains an overlooked factor behind premature machinery failure and diminished lubricant life. With increases in the cost of oil, increased desire to minimize usage and waste, and the need to prolong the life of equipment, the economic case for protection – from the time oil enters a facility until it leaves – is stronger than ever.

The Problem: The Presence of Contaminants

Two primary types of contamination are dirt and water.

If the atmosphere is contaminated, the oil is probably dirty and lubricant quality is compromised. Particulate contamination, once inside an operating system, will accelerate the generation of new contaminants. These contaminants damage critical components and act as a catalyst for oxidation, further degrading the condition of lubricants.

If the atmosphere is particularly humid or has frequent temperature fluctuations, the oil is probably moisture-laden and lubricant quality is compromised. Oftentimes, plant wash down activities are responsible for inducing conditions that lead to moisture ingression and corrosion.

The good news is that these factors, which work together to threaten equipment reliability, can be effectively controlled with some preventative maintenance techniques. The best and easiest way to exclude contaminants is to avoid practices that risk exposing lubes to contaminants.

A multi-faceted program that includes some simple proactive steps can help conquer contamination.

The Goal: Setting the Right Targets

Every application is unique – and what’s right for someone in one environment isn’t what’s needed for someone else with finer tolerances or a more critical application or a different type of equipment.
There are a number of sources to refer to in order to get a bit of help. Noria Corporation (www. noria.com) offers a wide variety of published and training materials that can get you well on your way, including a general guide on ISO cleanliness codes, what the numbers mean, and a few thoughts on targets based on pressure and equipment type.

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