Reporting - Explanation of Results
Complete analyses of the oils in service are done in our specialized laboratory, located inside the blending plant area in Aspropyrgos / Piraeus. The results are sent by fax or e-mail to the ship-owner's technical department within 48 hours after receipt of the sample. The following analyses can be carried out:
- Water content
- Total Base (alkaline) Number
- Total Acid Number
- Viscosity
- Flash Point
- Insolubles
- Wear metals (Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Sn, Cr)
- Contamination metals (Si, Na, V, Ni)
Water content:
The level of water contained in the lubricant.Water can cause problems such as corrosion, depletion of additives, oxidation etc and should be check and removed by centrifuging. Salt water is more harmful than fresh water and should always be removed only by centrifuging and not heating.
Measures the alkaline reserve which is still present in the lubricant, for the neutralization of acids coming from the combustion by products and also coming from the oxidation of the lubricant itself. Depletion of 50% is generally accepted as the point at which replenishment is required. Factors that affect (accelerate) the BN depletion are the dewatering process, the excessive piston ring blowby, or the small sump capacity (smaller circulation oil quantity equals faster alkaline reserve consumption). TBN may increase in crosshead engines, when engine oil is contaminated by cylinder oil.
Monitoring of the increase of acidic products, coming from the decomposition of the lubricant in service, which can cause corrosion and insolubles formation.
Probably the most important physical property of the lubricant. The viscosity to be considered is the viscosity at the working temperature of each application. This parameter evaluates the oxidation levels and the contamination from fuel or other products. Decreases in viscosity are generally due to distillate fuel dilution or admixture with a lighter oil grade. Increases are due to residual fuel leakages, admixture with a heavier oil grade, oxidation and/or high insolubles content. Some times a thickening and a dilution effect may be incurred simultaneously. This analysis monitors the dilution from fuels in the engine oil or any contamination from the lighter lubricants. Checking is important to ensure safe operation.
Measures the amount of insolubles / carbonaceous material derived from the combustion blow products, burnt oil, incomplete fuel combustion products, additive ash and wear debris, thus indicating operating conditions and filter retention efficiency.
This analysis is very important because it provides wear monitoring for the engine and several on board machinery. Through regular analyses, we can determine the equipment's wear trend and take the necessary actions preventing machinery failures.
It should be advised that the trend of the above physicochemical parameters is equally or even more important than individual values. It is also advisable that the interpretation of analysis results is combined with the knowledge of the engine's/vessel's operating conditions in order to perform efficient maintenance or corrective actions.
- Water content
- Total Base (alkaline) Number
- Total Acid Number
- Viscosity
- Flash Point
- Insolubles
- Wear metals (Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Sn, Cr)
- Contamination metals (Si, Na, V, Ni)
Water content:
The level of water contained in the lubricant.Water can cause problems such as corrosion, depletion of additives, oxidation etc and should be check and removed by centrifuging. Salt water is more harmful than fresh water and should always be removed only by centrifuging and not heating.
Measures the alkaline reserve which is still present in the lubricant, for the neutralization of acids coming from the combustion by products and also coming from the oxidation of the lubricant itself. Depletion of 50% is generally accepted as the point at which replenishment is required. Factors that affect (accelerate) the BN depletion are the dewatering process, the excessive piston ring blowby, or the small sump capacity (smaller circulation oil quantity equals faster alkaline reserve consumption). TBN may increase in crosshead engines, when engine oil is contaminated by cylinder oil.
Monitoring of the increase of acidic products, coming from the decomposition of the lubricant in service, which can cause corrosion and insolubles formation.
Probably the most important physical property of the lubricant. The viscosity to be considered is the viscosity at the working temperature of each application. This parameter evaluates the oxidation levels and the contamination from fuel or other products. Decreases in viscosity are generally due to distillate fuel dilution or admixture with a lighter oil grade. Increases are due to residual fuel leakages, admixture with a heavier oil grade, oxidation and/or high insolubles content. Some times a thickening and a dilution effect may be incurred simultaneously. This analysis monitors the dilution from fuels in the engine oil or any contamination from the lighter lubricants. Checking is important to ensure safe operation.
Measures the amount of insolubles / carbonaceous material derived from the combustion blow products, burnt oil, incomplete fuel combustion products, additive ash and wear debris, thus indicating operating conditions and filter retention efficiency.
This analysis is very important because it provides wear monitoring for the engine and several on board machinery. Through regular analyses, we can determine the equipment's wear trend and take the necessary actions preventing machinery failures.
It should be advised that the trend of the above physicochemical parameters is equally or even more important than individual values. It is also advisable that the interpretation of analysis results is combined with the knowledge of the engine's/vessel's operating conditions in order to perform efficient maintenance or corrective actions.