Advanced Oil Monitoring

Predictive Analysis for large Industrial Systems

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In today's world companies rely on turbines and compressors to provide power and gas transportation for core processes. Turbines and compressors already have demanding lubrication requirements and those demands are increasing. More demands are being put on these fluids as reservoir size and working clearances decrease and system power outputs, pressures, temperatures and oil service life increase. Lubricants must be highly oxidative and thermally stable to be able to handle high operating temperatures. Additionally the lubricant must remain contaminant free to properly lubricate bearings and gears, and to act as a favourable hydraulic medium for governors and valving systems.

Oil oxidation and sludge will lead to sticking servo valves meaning turbines will not start on demand. Oil contamination will accelerate wear, cause governors and valves to operate erratically and plug system filters. Unmonitored, poor oil condition leads to unplanned outages which are extremely expensive. Besides repair and maintenance companies may have to purchase power off the power grid at costs exceeding $50,000 per day.

In order to achieve peace of mind on the operating condition of your turbine and compressor lubricants you need the comprehensive testing that WearCheck Advanced Oil Monitoring provides. Specifically designed for industrial turbines and compressors, WearCheck's advanced oil monitoring combines well established industry tests with more recent advances in industry testing to provide an unparalleled view of the operating condition of your critical lubricants.

WearCheck's Advanced Oil Monitoring™ determines the levels of remaining anti-oxidants in the oil, detects for unwanted oil contamination and will accurately determine the suitability of the lubricant for continued use. A comprehensive diagnosis will warn you of any potential for damaging varnish build-up and includes recommendations for any necessary maintenance actions to remove contaminants and restore the lubricant to proper operating conditions.

WearCheck's Advanced Oil Monitoring™ is intended for use with gas, steam, hydro-electric and aero derivative turbines and large reciprocating and rotary compressors.

Test Test Method DescriptionAOM 1AOM 2AOM 3
ICP Analysis
ASTM D5185
Determines the parts per million (ppm) of all wear metals (Fe, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu…), contaminants (Si, Na, K….), and additives (Ca, P, Zn, Mg, Mo…).
Viscosity
ASTM D445/D7279
Determine the viscosity of the oil at 40°C (non-engine), or 100°C (engine) to determine if oil is still within specification. High viscosity can indicate oxidation, low viscosity can indicate contamination, improper make-up oil.
Visual Screen
WC Method
A picture of both the oil color/clarity and the bottom of the sample bottle are taken, and any level of contamination, visual oil problems or visible wear debris of the oil is recorded.
Acid Number
ASTM D664/D974/D8045
Determines overall acidity (AN) of the oil which is an indication of degradation. Single best test to determine change-out interval. AN for non-engine oil samples.
Water Content
ASTM D6304
Determines level of moisture or water contamination in the oil.
Particle Count
ASTM D7647
Determine cleanliness levels of oil to ISO4406:1999. High particle count levels can indicate gross contaminant ingress, wear, filter by-pass or all of these issues.
Membrane Patch Colorimetry
ASTM D7843
Measures the relative amount of insolubles present in the oil and the resulting potential for sludge and varnish formation.
Voltammetry (RULER)
ASTM D6810/6971/D7527/D7590
Measures the levels of aminic and phenolic anti-oxidants remaining in the oil. Determines the necessity for oil replenishment or replacement.
Ferrography
ASTM D7690
A detailed morphological analysis of the wear debris particles suspended in the oil. A-Ferr can determine the type of wear process and cause of wear in a lubricated system. 
RPVOT
ASTM D2272
Rotating Pressure Vessel Oxidation Test stresses the oil to determine the remaining amounts of anti-oxidants present in the oil.  
Foaming Characteristics
ASTM D892
Multi-stage test (stages I, II, III for both foaming tendency and stability) Determines the oils tendency to entrap air and cause oil foaming as well as the ability of the oil to dissipate this foaming tendency (stability).  
Air Release
ASTM D3427
Provides a comparison of the ability of oils to separate entrained air under operational conditions. Determines if the oil will shed air during reservoir dwell time.  
Water Separability
ASTM D1401
Measures the oils ability to separate from water.  
ASTM Color
ASTM D1500
Determines the ASTM color of the oil product. Indication of the degree of oil refinement and useful in determining when the oil is grossly contaminated, oxidized or thermally degraded.  
Rust Test
ASTM D665(A)
Indicates how well the oil inhibits the formation of rust in the presence of water contamination.  
Sediment Test
ASTM D893
Directly measure the amount of insolubles present in the oil. Provides a determination of the amount of sludge forming materials present in the oil (varnish and shellac pre-cursors).  

Check with your local WearCheck laboratory regarding which specific ASTM test methods are utilized.

Andres Lantos

WearCheck Argentina
Assessing Oxidation Condition and Lubricant Refreshment in Turbine Oils

Turbines are critical pieces of equipment for power plants and related industries. Varnish formatio...

Submitting Samples to the Laboratory

How to properly prepare your samples for return to the WearCheck laboratory using the new QR-coded sample information forms and poly pack mailer.

Varnish Testing by MPC

Membrane Patch Colorimetry (MPC) is a test that can determine the varnish potential of your oil by measuring the amount of insolubles present. Insolubles in oil eventually drop out of suspension and form sticky varnish and sludge in the system and on critical components which can lead to machine failure or outages.

Advanced Oil Monitoring (AOM)

Sales brochure on Advanced Oil Monitoring (AOM) for turbines and industrial compressors....

Daan Burger

WearCheck Africa
Measuring and Treating Varnish Formation in Turbine Oils

In this Technical Bulletin we discuss the treatment of varnish deposits in turbine oil, control valv...

John Evans

WearCheck Africa
Talking Turbine Testing

This Technical Bulletin discusses a variety of turbine sample tests - how they are conducted, and wh...

WearCheck Aom Analysis includes everything to set-up a complete Aom analysis program. When you purchase a WearCheck Aom analysis program you will receive our simplified sample kits (QR-coded bottles & sample forms with mailing packs). All WearCheck Aom analysis programs include laboratory testing, sample diagnosis and recommendations, sample report, and access to our patented WebCheck™ system, and companion mobile application to manage your Aom analysis program.

WearCheck offers additional programs for Fleet Vehicles, Off-Road Construction, Mobile Equipment, Fixed Plant Machinery, Marine Equipment, Wind Turbine Industry, Aviation/Avionics Systems, Coolant Analysis, Diesel/Marine/Jet Fuel Analysis, Thermal/Heat Transfer Fluid Analysis, Transformer Fluid Analysis, Grease Analysis, Wear Particle Analysis, Honeywell TPE-331/TFE-731 SOAP Service.

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