Assessing remaining useful life of lubricant using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to check the actual life of lubricating oil.

Design/methodology/approach

Present work aims to find the remaining useful life of the lubricant based on study of periodic deterioration of oil. Chronological samples of oil were selected from the dumper of a local open cast mine. The deterioration in oil was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Findings

The data obtained from FTIR spectroscopy was used in vector projection approach and analytical hierarchy process to evaluate the remaining useful life of the lubricating oil.

Originality/value

FTIR spectra were used to study the periodic deterioration of oil. IR radiation with all frequencies in the range was passed through the sample. Radiations at certain frequency, depending upon the molecular structure of compounds in the sample were absorbed and rest was transmitted by the sample. A spectrum representing molecular absorption or transmission was obtained. Transmission spectra have been used in the study. Comparing the percent value of transmission peak of different chronological sample with that of fresh oil was used to represent the periodic degradation in oil.

Citation

Kumar, S. and Kumar, M. (2016), "Assessing remaining useful life of lubricant using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy", Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 202-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/JQME-01-2016-0001