Here are three things to focus on when trying to improve oil cleanliness.
1 - Proper tote and drum storage:
Ensure the drum/tote storage area is clean and reflects the culture of lubricant cleanliness. A properly designed lube room must be functional, safe and expandable and provide all necessary storage and handling requirements for the facility. Oil drums/container should be stored indoors whenever possible away from seasonal temperature variations. Periodic filtration and agitation should be considered to maintain iso cleanliness levels and prevent additive settlement
What is the ISO Cleanliness code? ISO 4406:99 is the reporting standard for fluid cleanliness. A code number is assigned to particle count values derived at three different micron levels: greater than 4 microns, greater than 6 microns, and greater than 14 microns.
Did you know that according to Machinery Lubrication, cleaning your lubricants by a little as one ISO cleanliness code can provide a 35% increase in equipment life?
2 - Proper labeling of oils ensure your oil is properly labeled.
Proper lubrication is not only about the right amount at the right time at the right place but is also keeping the lubricant school clean and properly identified. By consistently identifying oils through the use of labels and a colour-coding system you can ensure the right oil goes into the correct storage container, through the correct toes and into the correct machine every time. Your labeling system should ensure the right lubricant is used at the right location to prevent cross-contamination.
3 - Clean transferring
Take the right steps to ensure that you’re cleanly transferring oil from one container to another or to the machine. For smaller oil transfers ISO Link or Oil Safe containers provide the best solution to keep oil clean and dry, for larger transfers use a filter cart
Tips for transferring oil: Remember, if shortcuts are taken at this stage, all the time and effort spent building and designing the bulk storage system and ensuring the quality the new oil will been wasted.
- Remove plastic funnels from the area as they attract dirt and moisture
- All transport containers should be kept clean, and away from dirt and dust
- Invest in desiccant breather and drain adapters such as Checkfluids CORE solution that can assist in making fluid transfers clean and easy
- Quick connects on these adapters, preferably flush face style, allow new re-filtered oil to be added to containers or the machine without opening the system to airborne contamination
How To Transfer - Portable Filter Carts
Oil filter carts are portable way to filter multiple types of new and used oil, take oil samples and transfer oil to and from storage containers and machines. Filtering or transferring oil using an oil filter card allows you to perform the process while the equipment is still running. This enables the hot oil to be filtered more effectively at a lower viscosity. One of the main purposes of utilizing oil filter cart is to control contamination. Other benefits and uses of the filter carts include:
- Transferring lubricants to storage containers
- Transferring filtered oil to machine
- Cleaning stored lubricants
How To Transfer - Checkfluid's Core Solution
Checkfluid's core solution combines the AB Breather Mount with the AD Drain Mount for a closed loop system. The AB Breather Mount allows the user to mount a desiccant breather while maintaining fill and filtering capabilities. The quick coupling can be used for both topping up the system and connecting to a filter cart. The AD Drain Mount is installed into the drain port. It allows a user to add visual inspection tools alongside a permanent sampling to to ensure that the samples taken are representative, away from the bottom inside sediment and as close as possible to the active zone. The quick coupling can be used for both training and connecting to a filter cart. A kidney loop can be set up connecting the AD and AB together through the vent kit of the level gauge.
Controlling contamination is a top priority. Contamination continues to be one of the biggest causes component failure and productivity declines. It is estimated that it costs 10 times more to remove contamination from equipment than to exclude. Machine problems can be kept to a minimum with good oil and good oil plans.
Remember: Oil cleanliness starts at the beginning.
