Greetings All,
I hope you all enjoyed last month’s storage and handling content and took a moment to reflect on your part with storage and handling practices.
This month, we’re delving into Oil Analysis. Think of used oil analysis for equipment as akin to a blood test for the human body. You’ve likely heard the term “Oil Analysis” in our industry, and while you might understand that it involves analyzing oil, do you truly grasp its significance and what it can reveal to us and our customers? Well, that’s what I’m here to discuss!
Oil analysis is an incredible tool that can provide us with valuable insights into oil health and properties. But did you know it can tell us even more? Imagine being asked to determine if an engine is experiencing abnormal wear, and you’re not a mechanic who can dismantle and visually inspect all the parts. It might seem like an impossible task, but that’s where oil analysis comes in. It can reveal wear modes and guide us to the specific component that’s wearing out internally through an examination of the wear particles metallurgy. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Here are some of the ways oil analysis can benefit us:
- Identifying hidden contaminants like incorrect top-up oil, coolant, dirt, water, fuel dilution, and more
- Optimizing oil change intervals
- Evaluating filtration effectiveness
- Projecting component lifespan
- Addressing small issues before they escalate
- Reducing operational costs
- Minimizing unplanned downtime
As Star West and our customers continue on our sustainability journey, oil analysis will become increasingly important. Whether it is helping customers reduce consumption, extend equipment life, or enhance efficiency, understanding how to leverage oil analysis is key. I’ve included links to some Noria articles that delve into Oil Analysis and its role in sustainability.
