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April, 2012
MAINTENANCE MINUTE
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Welcome to the Centrifugal Blower Maintenance Minute,  
the 60 second newsletter designed specifically for centrifugal air & gas blower operators.  Each month we will feature a different aspect of service and maintenance to centrifugal blowers. We will review operation, troubleshooting, actual case histories, and answer reader questions.  

Is Oil Analysis Helpful for Centrifugal Blowers?

 

  

 

Naugatuck BlowerOccasionally I receive questions on the use of oil analysis as a PM tool for Centrifugal air & gas blowers.  Usually it is from engineering departments, or other office personnel, wanting to know if doing oil analysis will save them money.  Although every situation is different, the bottom line is it probably won't truly save money.  At least not enough to justify the expense of contracting for periodic oil analysis. 

 

Oil analysis is used in PM to measure the condition of the lubricating oil.  It was primarily designed to monitor the oil in engines and gearboxes to better determine whether the oil truly needed changing, or if it could wait for another few months.  When you are replacing 20 - 30 gallons of oil at a time, at a cost of $10 - $100 / gallon, you don't want to change the oil unless you are sure it is bad(no longer lubricating your equipment effectively).  Oil analysis in these factories is easily justified for this type of equipment. 

 

Oil LubeCentrifugal blowers don't hold much more than a quart of oil at each bearing, except some of the +500 HP units may hold 2 quarts at each end.  The oil is relatively inexpensive, so the manufacturer's recommendation of replacing the oil once per year is a safe bet. In high humidity, more frequent oil changes may be required to eliminate moisture buildup in the oil.   

 

During an oil analysis, a spectrometer is used to measure the levels of various metals in the oil.  The viscosity of the oil can tell how much 'life' is left in the oil, and the amount of abrasive solids can predict how much longer the components will last.  Since I don't actually do any oil analysis, I will leave tribology--the study of wear in machinery, to interpretation by tribologists. 

 

The oil mist lubrication system used in most centrifugal blowers works well to carry away contamination and debris and keep it from the bearing.  Visual inspection of the oil drained from the bearing will go a long way to telling you the condition of the bearing. 

 

However, the key is still to regularly monitor the bearing and its' lubrication. Invest in PM, it will save you money!  

  

 

  

  

 

 � Copyright  2012 Snyder Technical Services, LLC.  

All Rights Reserved

                                                               

 

 

Maintenance Minute is published each month by Snyder Technical Services, LLC and is based on the work of former Lamson National Service Manager, Bill Snyder.  Should you have any questions, or problems to discuss, please contact me. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Bill Snyder
Founder - Snyder Technical  Services, LLC 

Next Month: 


Blower Rebuilds and Impellers....replace all, or re-use? 

Thought for Today:
     

 

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

 - John Wooden, Basketball Coach

 

             

 

 

                                                                                            
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