Continuous oil analysis and treatment system

Citation

(1998), "Continuous oil analysis and treatment system", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850aab.002

Continuous oil analysis and treatment system

Continuous oil analysis and treatment system

The revolutionary new COAT system provides on-line continuous analysis and automatic additive treatment of lubricating oils. By extending the lifetime of the lubricant, the COAT system can reduce equipment downtime and decrease lubricant replacement and lubricant disposal costs.

Established analytical oil test procedures have proved that with proper monitoring and regular oil change intervals, machinery, operating equipment and lubricant life may be significantly extended. Recently, with disposal costs equalling (if not surpassing) initial lubricant costs, oil analysis has become a cost-effective tool for the reduction of lubricant disposal.

With traditional oil analysis methods, many equipment failures are due to improper oil sampling procedures, or samples are taken too late to initiate any corrective action.

A fully integrated COAT system will delay lubricant degradation by automatically analysing lubricants "on-line" in "real-time" and dosing them with corrective performance enhancing additives (such as anti-oxidants, extreme pressure, polymers, anti-wear, biocides, etc.) as they become depleted without any operator intervention whatsoever!

Additionally, should the COAT system detect intolerable contamination, the circulating lubricant can be automatically diverted to any extraneous equipment (reservoir, centrifuge, filter, etc.) without operator intervention.

Once the Fourier transform infrared spectrum of a lubricant is "fingerprinted" into the COAT memory, automatic analysis and treatment can actually be repeated in as little as five minute intervals! COAT analytical results will be automatically interpreted in three ways:

1. 1.

   "Fingerprint" and "signature" values fall within pre-established norms; no corrective action will be taken.

2. 2.

   "Signature" values show significant depletion of a specific targeted additive; correct additive treatment will be automatically selected and pumped into the main lubricating system until the COAT system determines that the additive has been replenished.

3. 3.

   "Fingerprint" values show the contamination of a fluid with a foreign substance; removal of the fluid from the main circulating system via a diversion line will occur until the COAT system determines the lubricating system to be "clean". A float valve in the main reservoir will automatically control the addition of lubricant from a secondary reservoir to maintain the proper oil level in the main system.

The COAT (Continuous Oil Analysis and Treatment) system is a rugged analytical instrument designed for use in many different industrial and automotive applications. The system is activated by a colour-coded touch-screen simply laid out and programmed to be used by non-technical personnel.

The COAT system is the ideal instrument for:

• •

  In-line production process monitoring, control and treatment.

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  At-line production process monitoring, control and treatment.

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  Final product/raw material quality control.

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  Used oil analysis and treatment.

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  Fuel dilution detection.

• •

  Hazardous waste identification andclassification.

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  Contamination detection.

• •

  Edible oil.

More details from: Thermal-lube Inc., 255 Avenue Labrosse, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada H9R 1A3. Tel: (514) 694-Lube (5823); toll free: 1-800-567-Lube (5823); Fax: (514) 694-8628; E-mail: 75442.2512@compuserve.com