VISCOSITY MONITORING AND ANALYSIS FOR ROTATING MACHINERIES

Abstract

Lubricants used in machines degrade with time. This may be caused by load, contamination and operating environment. Proper monitoring and analysis of the state of the lubricant is required to keep the machine in good condition and to minimize the cost of maintenance. This research is concerned with the application of lubrication standards to ensure proper operation of rotating equipment. The methods outlined include monitoring, analysis and comparison with lubricant performance standards. The method when rightly applied can signal wear, level of contamination and chemistry of the lubricant. Viscosity monitoring and analysis is useful to determine the state of the lubricant and hence the health of the machine, which is useful in taking maintenance decisions. With proper monitoring and analysis of the lubricant in rotating equipment, safety is ensured in addition to reduction of unforeseen failures and the cost of maintenance of the machines.