Scribd
Upload
251 views

Oil Analysis

Regular oil analysis is important to monitor deterioration and ensure proper engine protection. Samples should be taken from key locations like the main supply line, not places like standpipes that may not be representative. Viscosity, water content, and metals content are analyzed to identify issues like fuel dilution, soot loading, oxidation, or wear. Shipboard tests can help monitor oil condition between full analyses.

Uploaded by

Abdallah Mansour
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
251 views

Oil Analysis

Regular oil analysis is important to monitor deterioration and ensure proper engine protection. Samples should be taken from key locations like the main supply line, not places like standpipes that may not be representative. Viscosity, water content, and metals content are analyzed to identify issues like fuel dilution, soot loading, oxidation, or wear. Shipboard tests can help monitor oil condition between full analyses.

Uploaded by

Abdallah Mansour
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

OIL ANALYSIS

Regular testing of crankcase lub oil is important to ensure that


deterioration has not taken place. The results of in service deterioration
could be a reduction in engine protection or actual attack on working
points by corrosive deposits. Oil samples are generally tested every 3 to
4 months depending on the system and experience. Shipboard testing is
taking a rising prominence to allow monitoring of oil condition between
testing.
To ensure good representation, care should be taken where
the sample is drawn
Correct

Main supply line

inlet or outlet from l.o. cooler

Outlet from main l.o. pump

Incorrect

standpipes

purifier outlet

purifier direct sump suction

Samples should be drawn over a period of several minutes


Viscosity
The viscosity is the most important property of the oil. Oil of correct
viscosity will provide optimum film strength with minimum friction losses
and leakage.
The viscosity of a L.O. may fall due to fuel dilution if running on gas oil,
and rise if running on heavy f.o. Viscosity may also increase due to
heavy soot loading if purifiers and filters not operating efficiently. Oil
ageing caused by oxidation and thermal degradation increases viscosity.

A simple shipboard test is the Mobil flow stick where drops of new and
used oil are placed in separate channels on an inclined 'stick'. The rate
the oil flows down the stick is proportional to its viscosity.
Water content
Initially determined by 'crackle' test. The presence of Na and Mg in a 4:1
ratio indicates salt water contamination.
Limits are laid down by the manufacturer, but as a rule of thumb a limit of
0.2% should cause investigation into source and remedial action at 0.5%
Gross contamination can be remedied by placing the charge in a
separate tank and heating to 70oC and circulating through purifier.
Metals Content
Indicates the presence of metal element composition and identifies
additive and contaminant levels.
Zinc(Zn),Phosphorus(P)- are components of many oils such as diesel
engine oils, hydraulic oils and gear oils, to enhance anti wear and over
properties of the oil
Calcium(Ca)- primarily a component of engine oils, provides detergency,
alkalinity and resistance to oxidation. Residual fuel engine oils have
higher Ca levels
Nickel(Ni)- Bearings, Valves, gear plating, fuel derivative
Barium(Ba)- Multi purpose additive, declining importance
Chromium(Cr)- Piston rings, hydraulic actuator cylinders
Manganese(Mn)- Cylinder wear
Aluminium(Al)- generally comes from wearing piston skirts, levels rise
where new piston fitted to old engine. Typically 10ppm, but rises during
bedding in. May also indicate the presence of catalytic fines in residual
fuels.

Iron(Fe), Molybdenum(Mo), Chromium(Cr)- metals alloyed for piston


ring etc, a rise in level may indicate ring pack/liner wear.
Copper(Cu), Lead(Pb) , Tin(Sn), Silver(Ag) - soft metals used in the
overlay of shell bearings, and phosphor bronze gears. Note that high
copper content can also occur when samples are drawn from copper
pipes which have not been flushed as well as gear wear.
Silicon(Si)- Indicates poor air filtration, possible fuel derivative
Sulphur(S)- May indicate the presence of greases
Sodium(Na)- With Mg indicates the presence of sw contamination,
possible coolant system and fuel derivative
Vanadium(V)- Usually indicates the presence of fuel oil
Alkalinity and acidity
TBN-TOTAL BASE NUMBER- measure of alkaline additives available
for the neutralization of acids from combustion products and oxidation.
Level governed by type of fuel.
For crosshead engines the TBN will tend to rise due to
contamination by liner lubrication, it should not be allowed to raise more
than twice that of the new charge.
As a guide, the TBN of fresh oil should be at least:

10 x fuel sulphur content (%) for trunk piston engines


(10mgKOH/g)

20 x fuel sulphur content (%) for cyl oil in x-head engines


(20mgKOH/g)

Purple:Good level of TBN

Green:Borderline

Yellow:Low level of TBN

TAN-TOTAL ACID NUMBER-measure of organic acid and strong acid


content of oil. Where SAN is nil, the TAN represents the acidity in the oil

due to both the acids in the additives and the oxidation of the
hydrocarbons in the oil. The TAN of fresh oils varies with oil type, and
tends to climb with age. A high TAN may indicate that an oil should be
changed or freshened by top up. A high TAN may be accompanied with
increased viscosity.
SAN-STRONG ACID NUMBER-indicates the prescience of strong,
highly corrosive (inorganic) acids, usually formed from combustion
products. If SAN is non zero the oil should be changed immediately

You might also like