How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a...

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How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report

Transcript of How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a...

Page 1: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report

Page 2: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Data Interpretation Overview

• There are a number of factors which can influence oil sample results

– Basic interpretation depends on knowledge of:

• Sampling procedure and location

• Test limitations

• Equipment metallurgy

• Trending of data

Page 3: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Sampling procedure and location

• Sample suddenly has high or even visible water content with no prior history of any water, why?

– Sampled from a low point drain or dead leg and/or without adequate flushing

• Sample has significant increase in particle count without any increase in wear metal or silicon values

– Sample bottle is contaminated, either from is handling or not wiping the sampling valve clean prior to placing the bottle underneath

Page 4: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Test Limitations

• Elemental spectroscopy 

– This test does not measure all of the same size particles as particle counting, therefore the results are not always expected to correlate

– Results are a concentration, not a physical amount

• 5 gallon reservoir with about two fingernail clipping’s worth of material

• 50 gallon reservoir with ~¾ of an ounce of material

• 500 gallon reservoir with ~½ pound of material

– All three examples would be measured as 100 ppm

Page 5: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Test Limitations or Metallurgy?

• Elemental spectroscopy: not all metals mean wear

– Iron sources include kitty‐litter oil absorbent

– Aluminum sources include dirt

– Titanium sources include machinist layout fluid

– Copper and/or nickel sources include anti‐seize

Page 6: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Equipment Metallurgy

• High copper values appear in a gearbox sample

– Gearbox has steel shafts

– Gearbox has steel gears

– Gearbox has steel bearings

Page 7: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Trending of Data

• Low values / No alarms– Sudden increases below alarm levels are still easily identified

• Always high/alarmed– Consistency is rewarded, trend proves results are on track, despite alarm limit

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Page 8: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Data Interpretation Overview

• There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results

– Advanced interpretation depends on knowledge of:

• Equipment configuration– Addition of lube skid, filtration or other performance options

• Operating conditions– Extended intervals, humid environment, overloaded, running hot, etc.…

• Recent maintenance activity– Kidney looping, top ups, fluid changes

Page 9: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Data Interpretation Steps

• Read the whole report from top to bottom

• Decide if there are abnormal values

– Categorize them as either causes or effects, but no further, and answers are allowed to change

• Upon completion, there should be only one or two causes and the rest are likely effects of those causes

– Decide what actions would confirm the cause and remedy the situation

• e.g. changing the fluid removes contamination, but does not necessarily prevent future ingression

Page 10: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example A (1/3)

Page 11: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example A (2/3)

Page 12: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example A (3/3)

Page 13: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example B (1/3)

Page 14: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example B (2/3)

Page 15: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example B (3/3)

Page 16: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example C (1/2)

Page 17: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example C (2/2)

Page 18: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example D (1/2)

Page 19: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

Example D (2/2)

Page 20: How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a number of other factors which can influence oil sample results –Advanced interpretation

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