by Jarrod Potteiger

In the past decade the filter cart has gone from being a specialty item to being a standard lubrication tool for maintenance professionals. As organizations place more and more emphasis on precision lubrication and contamination control, they have come to realize just how valuable these systems can be. However, there are a lot of common mistakes made when it comes to selecting portable filtration units and a lack of knowledge of these issues can prove costly. By carefully considering the following items, you will be able to avoid these costly mistakes and obtain maximum value from your filter cart purchase.

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by Jarrod Potteiger

The methods by which lubricants are stored transferred and applied to machines play a large role in the success of a contamination control program.

After all, if you start out with contaminated oil, you will not likely achieve cleanliness targets for machinery.

Developing and implementing a world-class contamination control program is a sizable undertaking, and it usually requires significant modifications to machinery as well as changes in procedures and methodologies which can take years.

However, there is one component of contamination control where you can affect the entire plant, and that component is the storage, handling and application of new lubricants. Because storage and handling affects the cleanliness of all lubricated machinery, it is usually a good place to start improving your program.

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Des-Case desiccant breathers are designed to filter out two of the most harmful contaminants to today’s equipment – dirt and water. Multi-tiered filtration takes care of the particles, and silica gel absorbs water from incoming and outgoing air.

Des-Case breathers are unique in their design, allowing for bi-directional, controlled airflow through their integrated standpipe, high durability polycarbonate and nylon body, and multiple air vents.
In addition to preventing particle and water ingression, they can also be an indicator of abnormally functioning equipment.

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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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Five inexpensive, simple things to boost lubricant life

by Ray Thibault, LTC Consulting & Brian Gleason, Des-Case Corporation

No one can deny that we are all affected by the economy. But where reliability and lubrication are concerned, take note—don’t stop your reliability focus now. It is more imperative than ever to protect both your equipment assets and your required investment in lubricants. Even if equipment sits idly by, the need for continuous protection does not go away.

Embrace your machines (and lubricants) as the workhorses they are. A little TLC goes a long way to help them work for you. Keep them clean and dry and they keep you humming.

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