How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a...
Transcript of How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report - TestOil · Data Interpretation Overview • There are a...
How to Interpret an Oil Analysis Report
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
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
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
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
Equipment Metallurgy
• High copper values appear in a gearbox sample
– Gearbox has steel shafts
– Gearbox has steel gears
– Gearbox has steel bearings
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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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 80
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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
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
Example A (1/3)
Example A (2/3)
Example A (3/3)
Example B (1/3)
Example B (2/3)
Example B (3/3)
Example C (1/2)
Example C (2/2)
Example D (1/2)
Example D (2/2)
Thank You! Questions?Or you can send an email to [email protected]