Thursday 7 November 2024

Lube oil acidity monitoring

 Lube oil acidity monitoring is a process that measures the level of acidity in a lubricant to assess its health and serviceability: 

How it's done

The Total Acid Number (TAN) test involves diluting a sample of oil with a solvent, then titrating it with potassium hydroxide to neutralize the acidic components. The amount of titrant used is reported as milligrams of potassium hydroxide equivalent per gram of sample (mg of KOH/g). Higher numbers indicate a higher level of acidity. 

What it indicates

A high acid number can indicate that the oil has oxidized, or that its additives have depleted. This can lead to corrosion of internal components and a reduction in machinery reliability. 

When to use it

The TAN test is used for industrial lubricating oils and some combustion engine oils. It's not suitable for fluids with a high water content, such as water glycols and oil/water emulsions. 

How to use the results

The results of the TAN test can be used to monitor oil health and predict when maintenance is needed. Field test kits can be used to perform the test in the field

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