Why should I do oil analysis?

Changing the oil in a machine reservoir on a time basis usually results in dumping millions of gallons of serviceable oil annually, while doing little to prevent oil-related failures. Oil analysis can tell you whether or not the oil in a machine is still serviceable, and it can help eliminate problems such as "leakers" (machines that leak oils from various seals). Other uses of industrial oil analysis are quality control checks of incoming oils, reducing the number of oil types on the property, selecting oil vendors for a particular oil when prices are similar, and checking waste oils for on-specification handling requirements before they are shipped.

How often should we sample our machines?

The operating environment is one of the most important factors to consider when determining the frequency of oil analysis. Service managers vary in the frequency with which they check their oils. Some sample monthly, while others sample quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Your program should be tailored to your particular needs and budget.

Do I need a Particle Count test to rate the cleanliness of the oil?

The ISO Code (also known as a Particle Count) is a system for determining the concentrations of particles at various micron size levels in an oil. Whether or not you need this test depends on your machines' sensitivity to oil cleanliness. To learn more about Particle Counts, click here.

Should I have a TAN routinely done on my oil?

The TAN (Total Acid Number) test determines the acidity of an oil. We recommend it for oils that might have been contaminated with water. We also recommend it for companies that get their oil from a recycler, who might dry the oil but do nothing about the oil's acidity. Also, we often run TANs on compressor and chiller oils.

Who should be in charge of our preventive maintenance program?

In a non-union shop, any worker familiar with oils can be assigned to the task. For union shops, the appointment of the work may be negotiated before the preventive maintenance program is established. We work with companies where taking samples is assigned to various trade groups, including oilers, machine repairmen, pipefitters, chip house personnel, and others.

Blackstone Labs. Not your everyday oil lab.