"I want to obtain a certification in the area of..." is often one of the goals set by maintenance personnel, especially those working in predictive maintenance. One of the certifications in the predictive area that has seen significant growth is the lubrication...
As with many things in lubrication, sometimes too much is as bad as too little. This is certainly the case with filtration. How Fine Is Too Fine for Your Oil Filter? To answer that, we need to look at several factors. First, let’s dispel a few myths about fine...
Varnish formation is one of the most critical and often overlooked challenges faced by industrial lubrication systems, especially in high-performance applications such as steam turbines, gas turbines, compressors, and precision hydraulic systems. Even when invisible...
Understanding Electrostatic Spark Discharge and Its Impact on Lubrication Systems Electrostatic Spark Discharge typically occurs when static is built up in an oil at a molecular level, causing it to discharge in the system and create free radicals, which increase the...
Lubrication analysis plays a vital role in predictive and preventive maintenance for diesel engines. Among the most informative tests available are Acid Number (AN) and Base Number (BN), two complementary measurements that provide insight into oil health, additive...
I was once asked, “Why are lubricants so different? Why can’t we simply buy a ‘one fits all’ oil and grease?” I explained that the old farmers' axiom, “Oil is oil, any oil will do,” may have had some merit 100 years ago, but it doesn’t now. In today’s world of...
Over the years, the one thing that has always struck me is how few reliability teams work with their counterparts in the Health and Safety and Environmental departments. Linking Lubrication to ESG and Sustainability Goals To quote the guru, Ron Moore, in his article,...
What is Condition Monitoring and Why Is It Important? In this age of artificial Intelligence and sensors that pop on and off, we often forget about the basics and where things all started. Condition monitoring began as a way to detect anomalies in our equipment using...
Challenges in Grease Selection Without Full Bearing Specifications Bearing manufacturers have provided a significant amount of detailed advice for lubricant selection, application, and replenishment. Formulas used by the machine designers incorporate details that are...
Varnish remains one of the main causes of premature failure in lubricants in service in turbines and compressors, and with a highly harmful effect on the mechanical components of the system. It is estimated that the failure of a gas turbine caused by the presence of...
