Oil Analysis
Analysis of lubricating oil is the most well established of all condition monitoring methods. Barring sophisticated techniques such as Acoustic Emissions, the information contained in used lube oil gives the most advanced warning of the health of the equipment it is in contact with.
While the standard approach to the analysis of used oil has been to concentrate on large systems such as main propulsion engines and hydraulic circuits with a view to understand if the oil is fit for re-use, at SeaTec we have a different perspective - we look at oils from all systems with a view to understand the state of the equipment it is in contact with. While the amount of oil in circulation in a small system may be a litre or two and can easily be replaced, in this case it is the condition of the equpiment we are estimating and not so much the re-usability of the oil.
The analysis of additive elements present in the oil such as Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorous etc, is the domain of the chemist. However, the analysis of the variation of wear elements coupled with parameters such as base and acid numbers, size of particles, ISO cleanliness index, water content etc., is very much the work of the experienced marine engineer. Without a solid back ground in ship's systems, it is practically impossible to provide useful feedback to the ship operator.
At SeaTec we have combined the strength of one of the largest fluid analysis labarotaries in the world with the expertise of experienced marine engineers. Our report comments individually on the condition of the equpiment as well as the condition of the oil providing three indices of health - Satisfactory, Alert and Critical. Every test result is manually checked and scrutinised. Our clients which include the world's largest ship owner and the world's largest ship manager, bear testimony to the usefulness of our service in preventing machinery breakdown.
