Fast and accurate wear metal analysis of oil with no sample preparation
Debris determination in used oil is a major diagnostic practice in condition monitoring programs. Increase of specific wear metal concentration or the presence can be an indication of wear. Presence of foreign materials in lubricants like sand or other elements can lead to a degradation in lubrication.
Modern lubricating oils are a complex mixture of organometallic compounds added to the base oil to improve anti-wear and anti-oxidative characteristics. The decrease in their concentration can lead to the loss of lubricant characteristics to the point of catastrophic consequences.
The identification of different elements and the determination of their concentration provides valuable and timely indications of the possible criticalities of the different components of an engine.
Wear metal analysis of oil for contaminants and additives in used lubricating oils is a valuable diagnostic tool for preventive maintenance program of engines and machineries. Condition monitoring helps to avoid sudden failures and unexpected high costs due to production downtime and maintenance.
Most common solutions for Wear metal analysis.
Commonly used techniques for wear metal analysis are
- Atomic emission spectrometers
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
- Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) instruments.
GNR offers Rotating Disc Electrode Atomic Emission Spectrometer (RDE-AES) instruments.
GNR RotrOil
GNR RotrOil (RDE-AES) confirms to ASTM D6595 for the analysis of wear metals contaminants and additives in used lubricating oils. DoD JOAP for oil conditions monitoring and failure prevention procedure.
Unique Features
RotrOil with Unique large focal length offers better selectivity and highest resolution.
RotrOil uses direct light path between sample and optical system. The loss is minimized because no optic fiber is used. The direct light path will increase the element detection capability of RotrOil from sub ppm level to % level with highest accuracy and precision.
High purity graphite is used for the manufacture of Disc and Rod to avoid contamination.
GNR RotrOil meets and exceeds the requirements of ASTM D6595-17 for the direct analysis of wear metals and contaminants in used lubricating oils. Oil samples are analyzed directly without any sample preparation or dilution.
- Rugged construction.
- No gas required.
- No sample preparation or mineralization required.
- No special operator skills required.
- Analysis in 30 seconds
RotrOil Models
RotrOil (RDE OES) is available in different versions,
- Compact Version
- With built in PC and touch screen interface
- With 48 place autosampler for busy labs.
For oil analysis wear metal limits using RotrOil is perfectly suited for laboratories with a high volume of samples and the constraint of fast turnaround times which is undeniably a key factor in preventative maintenance and reducing downtime costs.
R4 RotrOil with 48 sample carousels for unattended operation is available.
Elements and their effects
Fe, Ni, Cr concentration increased over time indicating possible wear of several components such as piston rings, ball/roller bearings or gears.
Iron and nickel show a different trend from Cr, which could be related to a different origin.
Aluminum could be come from piston or push rods.
The concentration of Si and Al shows a common trend: both silicon and aluminum could be wear metals coming from piston Si-Al alloy.
Copper, tin, and lead could come from bushings or bearings. This shows that the increasing amount of each wear metal can have different causes or origins.
Additive elements in oil like P, Zn, B and Mo shows a slow but constant reduction in concentration that can be due to the oil degradation.
Calcium instead remains constant in the oil samples. If small amount of Na and K detected, then probably due to a contamination from the cooling system.
Conclusion
GNR RotrOil (RDE-AES) meets and exceeds the requirements of ASTM D6595-17 and it is possible to determine elements from additive metallic-organic phases.
Direct detection eliminating the fibre optic cable allows to get the maximum sensitivity in the detection of wear metals from sub-ppm to percentage level with high precision and accuracy. No sample preparation and analysis time less than 30 second.
RotrOil is a perfect solution for laboratories with a high volume of samples and fast turnaround time required.
For onsite analysis portable option available.
