Tribodiagnostic investigation on oil filtration: results from a novel apparatus

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to deal with the analysis of tribodiagnostic parameters of oil filter device to investigate the possibility to launch a thorough treatment of non-invasive filtration of oil during the full operation of machinery and equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

Tribotechnical diagnostic of the oils is based on the observation of the operating oil aging and assesses the rate of change of intensity and the degree of degradation of the oil to change the performance characteristics of the oil and, thus, the capacity of oil for the satisfactory operation of the device. Tribotechnical diagnostic equipment is based on monitoring the wear of its components and assessing the concentration of wear particles in the analyzed oil and intensity of wear.

Findings

The monitored values show a stabilization at levels in which the contamination cannot damage machinery and equipment and their individual components. It is shown that with this method, the oil becomes a very important indicator and gives, by using several tribotechnical analysis described in the paper, immediate representation of the internal condition of the tribosystems in the machine. The desired level of purity of the oil system becomes a standard value for the next period of operation, and any deviation of analyzed values can be almost immediately identified.

Originality/value

The paper involves investigation on non-invasive filtration of oil during the full operation of machinery and equipment; non-invasive filtration experimental analysis of used oil after filtration; And experimental effectiveness evaluation of the filtration. Purity of the oil system becomes the target value for the online monitoring.

Citation

Ruggiero, A., Mindas, M. and Knapcíková, L. (2016), "Tribodiagnostic investigation on oil filtration: results from a novel apparatus", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 68 No. 6, pp. 689-695. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-03-2016-0053