Compressors are integral to many of our operations. They are used to compress gas, increasing its pressure, and to power tools. They can also be used as vacuum pumps or blowers, but each application is different. As such, they require various types of lubrication,...
When the lube room resembles a crime scene - chaotic storage, unlabeled containers, questionable handling tools, inconsistent transfer practices - it becomes a hidden driver of accelerated wear, additive depletion, ingress-driven contamination, and component life...
When I go into industrial plants and tell the Lubrication Team, aka, oilers and greasers, that they are Tribologists, I usually get a look of confusion on how they would fit in. When you first think of Tribology, your thoughts may immediately go to all the great PhD...
"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...
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...
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...
Hydraulic systems are used to transmit force from one point to another via a fluid. This fluid is usually hydraulic oil, and the concept is based on Pascal’s law. Hydraulics are present in nearly all industries and play a critical role in enhancing operational...
This article provides a detailed overview of the classification of engine oils in the context of two key parameters that determine their operational suitability: viscosity properties and quality standards. Classification of Engine Oils The basic criterion for...
In the high-stakes arena of power generation, turbine oil life has always dictated the tempo of reliability. A century of operating experience taught plant engineers one brutal truth: once an oil’s antioxidant package collapses, varnish doesn’t politely knock—it kicks...
