Worried about oil quality before it even gets to your equipment? In this article we will outline the importance of sampling both new oil and bulk oil. Hint: They are not the same thing!
New Oil Sampling
New oil should be inspected as it comes in as it can be up to 8 times dirtier than the recommended ISO 4406 cleanliness for critical machinery. Bulk oil is often delivered in tank cars and trucks that are not reserved for carrying a single product. Although tankers are often washed between shipments, it is still important to analyze a sample from each tank car, truck, or LOT of oil (in the case of totes, pails and barrels). Testing the oil as it comes in will help detect these conditions.
A good practice is to sample and test new oil to ensure what was ordered was actually delivered. New bulk lubricant shipments should be supplied with a certificate of analysis from the blend plant. The product specifications for new oils should be clearly communicated between the end user and the lubricant supplier. In the event a sample of oil fails to meet the product specifications, the sample should be retested to verify the initial test result and confirm that the correct oil was shipped. In the event the resample fails, the lubricant should be rejected at receiving and investigated as to why the oil failed to meet the required specification.
Just as important as the oil analysis is ensuring that the technicians responsible for sampling have the necessary experience and skills to conduct the sampling. Any samples taken should be representative of the fluid being examined. Process documentation should be available to ensure proper procedures are followed. Mistakes can be made, complacency can happen (left over lubricants in hoses, moisture from steam cleaning tanks, etc.), so to ensure equipment will be filled with the correct high quality lubricants, it is critical to ensure nothing is left up to chance.
Bulk Oil Sampling
As the bulk oil from storage tanks is what will eventually be going into your machines, cleanliness is paramount. Taking samples from bulk oil tanks is just as important as from operating equipment.
When sampling from storage tanks trained technicians should ensure proper sampling procedures using approved sampling hardware and sample jars are followed. For example, sampling location is one of the critical elements of a bulk tank sampling procedure which should be followed consistently for accurate trend analysis:
- On large tanks:
- Take equal samples of upper, middle, and lower oil zones. The reason this is done is because the fluids can be combined to get an average result. Oils may have been mixed manufacturers may have changed or blended formulations may have changed.
- For small tanks:
- Equal samples should be taken from the upper and lower zones.to be combined for average results. For the same reasons as large tanks.
Preventing contamination and maintaining a clean tank is crucial as bulk oil can sit for long periods of time. It is recommended to filter oil at every stage of container transfer from the time of receiving until its in the machine. The tank should also be inspected regularly for signs of contamination. Often It is more cost-efficient to perform periodic cleaning instead of a costly upgrade or a complete modification of the system. Regular sampling of your bulk tank will give you an idea of the condition of the oil in the bulk tank to ensure that no mixing of lubricants has occurred and to ensure cleanliness is maintained.
A well-defined oil sampling protocol and regular testing for both new and bulk oil can make all the difference. Talk to us today about setting up or reviewing your current oil analysis program for bulk storage.