• Thermal and oxidative degradation will typically increase the viscosity of mineral oils.
• When a mineral oil is clear and bright, the amount of harmful water present will typically be less than 75 ppm.
• The RBOT (Rotating Bomb Oxidation Test) is commonly used to assess the oil's oxidation stability reserve.

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Color Route Systems Assist Lubrication Practices "As can be seen in the Alemite color route card, color route management systems have been in use for decades. Modern management philosophies often adopt and update these tried and tested methods. Total Production Maintenance (TPM) philosophy

"This study involved a chemical process facility that was changing over to a TPM philosophy. In order to train operators to perform effective lubrication without information overload, the color identification system was proposed. All grease guns were to be standardized for output delivery and then colored for

"All manual lubrication points requirements are then assessed and calculated. The points are then hooked into a manual series progressive block with a single grease nipple inlet. This block is colored according to the type of grease, and a tag plate is attached to the block engraved with the number of grease gun strokes required for the operator to perform correct lubrication.

"Operators are comfortable with this method because the subjectivity of the function has disappeared. This method also encourages "ownership" of the equipment by the operator."

• Fine filtration, centrifuging, mechanical shearing and adsorption all remove antifoam additives from oil.

• Abrasive wear can cause a chain reaction in lubricated machinery. The typical chain reaction is:

  • Abrasive particles become work hardened.

  • Work hardened particles produce more particles.

  • New particles become work hardened.

  • Chain reaction continues until the particles are removed by

  • filtration, or the machine fails.

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"Circulation oiling systems vary widely as to detail, the particulars of each design depending on the make, size, type and purpose of the turbine.

"Oil is taken from a reservoir and delivered at full pump pressure to a header that supplies oil to the governing and control mechanisms. The oil pressure ranges from about 50 psi in some systems to 450 psi in others (3.5 to 31.6 kg/sq cm). Oil from the bearings and governor mechanism drains back to the reservoir.

"A reservoir capacity of five to ten times the volume of oil circulated per minute is recommended. Sizes therefore range from a few, to several thousand gallons. Large reservoirs are fabricated from steel plate and are provided with manholes to permit entrance for cleaning.

"Reservoirs should have a bottom that slopes slightly (1 unit in 24) toward a drain connection through which contaminants may be removed. To prevent foaming, oil return lines are generally arranged so that they enter the tank horizontally just above, or at the oil level and at a point above the lowest part of the sloping tank bottom."

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