Handling, Storing and Dispensing Lubricants

Handling, Storing, and Dispensing Lubricants

Noria Corporation

Below are 6 tips for lubricants:

TIP #1

Consider purchasing oil in bulk containers to reduce waste. Bulk packaging also has additional benefits. It reduces transportation costs, minimizes storage space and reduces costs for container recycling and disposal. It opens the door for discounts from the supplier because they reap the benefit of less handling, delivery and packaging costs as well as the benefit of economies of scale.

TIP #2

Consider these pointers for lubricant storage life:

Do not use products that have been stored for long periods unless their condition and performance properties are verified with oil analysis.
Long-term storage at moderate temperatures in low-humidity environments have little effect on most premium lubricating products.
Highly additized oils (motor oil, gear oils, etc.) stored in cold temperatures are high risk.
Manage inventory to keep lubricants fresh.
Grease typically has a shorter storage life than oils, and should be inspected for excess oil bleeding.

TIP #3

Proper handling of drums is important. Drums aren’t designed to be bounced or dropped. Full drums weigh approximately 450 pounds, while empty drums weigh around 36 to 38 pounds. A pail of oil weighs about 40 pounds.

TIP #4

Avoid the use of galvanized oil storage and dispensing containers. The zinc in the galvanizing can act as a catalyst to promote lubricant oxidation and premature depletion of critical additives. There are many other types of more chemically stable platings for metal containers. Stainless steel or plastics are also suitable alternatives.

TIP #5

Consider labeling your lubricant containers with the following:

Date container is put in service (opened)
Purchase and delivery date
Date of product blending
Product name
Inventory code
Product application
Storage location
Maximum and minimum inventory level
Color and shapecodes (if used)

TIP #6

Consider using containers with self-closing spouts to avoid using funnels. If funnels must be used, clean them between uses and store them in zip-lock bags to keep them clean.

The Lubrication Requirements of Couplings

In an ideal world, multiple components could be produced in a single piece, or coupled and installed in perfect alignment. However, in the real world, separate components must be brought together and connected onsite. Couplings are required to transmit rotational forces (torque) between two lengths of shaft, and despite the most rigorous attempts, alignment is never perfect. To maximize the life of components such as bearings and shafts, flexibility must be built in to absorb the residual misalignment that remains after all possible adjustments are made. Proper lubrication of couplings is critical to their performance.

The Building Blocks to Creating an Effective Lubrication Program

The goal of every lubrication program should be to ensure that all equipment receives and maintains the proper levels of lubrication such that no equipment fails due to inadequate or improper lubrication. In order for this to happen, we must follow the 5R's of lubrication - right lubricant, right condition, right location, right amount, right frequency.

Does Lubrication Belong in the CMMS?

Most, if not all, companies use CMMS systems to oversee their maintenance activities. From home-grown systems to complete ERP systems, leveraging technology allows companies to more efficiently and effectively manage their maintenance, repair and operations activities. So as a core maintenance function, surely routine, lubrication-related preventive and predictive activities such as regreasing motor bearings, taking oil samples, and executing oil top-offs and inspections belong in the CMMS system like any other maintenance task, right?

Water Contamination

Industry spends millions of dollars each year on improved filtration technology in an attempt to reduce particle contamination, with some of the more advanced companies reducing failure rates by up to 90 percent simply by controlling fluid cleanliness. However, in some industries and environments, water is a far more insidious contaminant than solid particles. Water contamination is often overlooked as the primary cause of component failure.

Ultrasound for Better Lubrication

Ultrasonic technology (UT) has become widely accepted for the detection of leaks in both pressurized and nonpressurized systems. Most compressor service companies and several manufacturers own some type of ultrasonic sensor for pinpointing leaks. It is easy to cost-justify the purchase of an ultrasonic sensor based upon the high cost of energy loss due to leaks. However, there is another application for ultrasound that consumers, nondestructive testing (NDT) organizations, and even developers and manufacturers of ultrasonic sensors are often not aware of or overlook. UT can be used as a means to detect early wear of components such as bearings and gears due to lack of lubrication or overlubrication.

Top Ten Ways Not to be World Class at Machinery Lubrication

Begin by not reading this editorial. Most "old school" lube programs like to hold to the status quo. Editorials like this one threaten their comfort zone. After all, change takes guts . . . it takes imagination . . . it takes commitment. Who's got the time (and courage) for that?

3 Important Words for Success in Lubrication and Oil Analysis

Using lubrication and oil analysis to enhance machine reliability is really too simple. Behind the appearances of complexity and vale of high science are the most basic of concepts. We can try to make it difficult, but why? With the right tools and a generous amount of training, a seemingly challenging task can be transformed into something almost mundane, but still powerful.

Handling, Storing and Dispensing Lubricants