INSIGHT
Oil condition monitoring and testing: sustainability
Adam Theaker, Laboratory Manager, SOCOTEC UK
On January 1 2016, the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) officially came into force, impacting every organisation and the industries in which they operate. SOCOTEC UK strives to accomplish Goal 12 (‘ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns’) within its broad range of testing, inspection and certification services.
How does oil condition monitoring benefit the customer?
Oil condition monitoring allows our clients to gain a better understanding of an in-service unit, whether it is an electrical transformer, engine, gearbox or hydraulic system. The style of analysis can be compared to a blood test, allowing customers to detect whether a potential failure could occur. In addition, oil condition monitoring can maximise the life of the unit, improving sustainability by not requiring unnecessary oil changes based on time or distance.
SOCOTEC works closely alongside its clients to analyse unused oil samples. This creates limits, which will be applied when in-service samples from units are sent into the lab. Reports will then enable the client to see if the oil is fit for purpose and lies within their specification, minimising unit downtime.
How has SOCOTEC improved its analytical processes in terms of sustainability? New ways to improve the sustainability of analytical methods are continuously explored, as well as the general logistics of the laboratory. We work closely alongside our clients to understand their requirements, providing the customer with a tailormade test suite that meets those needs. This test suite could cover a large array of test methods as part of an annual requirement, followed by a quarterly test
suite, which involves less analysis but still provides a clear picture of the condition of the oil in service and the unit it is taken from.
Another sustainable method is the provision of kits that are specific to each sample. This includes implementing reusable sample pumps as opposed to single-use syringes, as well as using sample bottles in streamlined sizes, meaning that no additional/ unnecessary samples are taken.
SOCOTEC provides and delivers kits in bulk as opposed to distributing single kits. Samples are also required to be returned in specific boxes, so that multiple samples from different assets of a unit can be sent back together at once. This also allows for any tubing to be disposed of appropriately and/or recycled where possible.
The methodologies used to perform analysis are currently under review and single-use plastics replaced with sample beakers, while also moving to a lower volume of solutions in test methods where applicable. We have already considered how to more effectively manage the amount of waste generated for our customers, including within the fluid and oil condition monitoring laboratory.
Lastly, the Oils and Lubricants team uses a third party company to collect waste oil, chemical and oil-contaminated waste. We have taken on larger storage solutions where applicable, reducing the amount of trips undertaken by the third party to collect the waste products, while recycling waste oil and other products where possible.
LINKS
www.socotec.co.uk
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.169 JUNE 2022
43
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