A study of sample withdrawal for lubricated systems. Part 2: practical sample withdrawal and selection of proper sampling methods

Abstract

Aims to use some of the sampling techniques and sampling routines, mentioned in Part 1 of the article, to perform practical tests to determine their differences in withdrawing samples. Uses two different types of systems, a hydraulic system and a gear system, together with some of the investigated sampling techniques. In order to find out the optimum sampling method for each of the two systems, uses a specification of requirements and a systematic approach, together with practical sample withdrawal from the two systems. For the hydraulic system, uses an on‐line particle counter and bottle samples from valves, and for the gear system, applies drain‐plug and vacuum pump sampling. It was found that for hydraulic systems on‐line sampling is the most appropriate, if information on the elements is not required. If information on the elements is required, bottle sampling from a valve together with flushing of the valve should be performed. For the gear system no difference was seen between the samples taken with a vacuum pump and those taken from the drain‐plug, and therefore an alternative method is suggested to improve the reliability of the sampling.

Citation

Berg, S. (2001), "A study of sample withdrawal for lubricated systems. Part 2: practical sample withdrawal and selection of proper sampling methods", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 97-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368790110390184