Lubrication analysis working group

The following is an interview with Steve Greenfield CEng FInstNDT, one of the founder members of the Lubrication Analysis Working Group... 

Give a brief history of the Lubrication Analysis Working Group, when it was founded, etc.
The Lubrication Analysis Working Group (LAWG) is one of the five working groups (WGs) that report to the Condition Monitoring Technical Sub-Committee at BINDT and was founded in 2004.

I joined BINDT in 1988, where the foundations were being laid for the Institute to be the focal point of the emerging condition monitoring (CM) industry in the UK. As interest in CM grew, many different techniques were brought in under the umbrella of the Condition Monitoring and Diagnostic Technology (COMADIT) Group, as part of BINDT.

Annual CM conferences began in the UK at Swansea University, initially with a lubrication analysis (LA)and tribology focus. In 1994, at Swansea University, the initial meeting of a new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sub-committee ISO/TC 108/SC 5 ‘Condition monitoring of machines’ was held and working groups established in CM terminology, methodology and techniques. The conference was later passed over from Swansea University to BINDT to run. Some years later, other working groups were established in CM and a massive undertaking began to align and contribute to definitions for the upcoming new ISO standards.

As the ISO portfolio was developing so was the need for training and certification in CM. Since BINDT already had the PCN Scheme for traditional non-destructive testing (NDT), it was logical to expand PCN to include the principal CM techniques. Currently, two new PCN qualifications are being developed, one as CM General, to support the newly emerging ‘Condition Monitoring Engineer or Manager’ and the other to cover electrical CM.

Some readers might not be familiar with lubrication analysis techniques. Please briefly explain these.
Lubrication analysis is broadly divided into two areas: oil quality analysis and oil debris analysis. There is an additional subdivision for both to be either offline or online. Online fits better with Industry 4.0 initiatives, as the results are instantly available, whilst offline analysis allows for deeper analysis.

There are several proven online sensors for oil analysis that will provide a reliable indication of base number, a critical factor indicating the usefulness of the lubricant and its remaining life. Offline testing can include full off-site laboratory analysis by experts or on-site analysis with a more limited test regime conducted by the plant owner. Oil debris analysis is the study of wear particles and contaminants in the lubricating oil, usually comprising a magnetic collector with passive or active remote indication capability.

It is often overlooked, but lubrication analysis is crucial for continued safe operation of machines, from off-road excavators and marine diesel engines through to capital equipment.

What is the purpose/s of the group?
The Lubrication Analysis Working Group had been mainly concerned with the development and service of the UK standards for LA in line with ISO 18436 Parts 4 and 5.

However, in this arena, the WG is also able to produce technical guidance and industry insight, which it can apply to further the professional capabilities of persons engaged in all manner of lubrication activities. In the absence of any other UK group, we are unique and thus positioned well to be the focal point and offer leadership in this critical area of engineering.

The WG today exists to maintain the technological lead for BINDT and support the question bank for PCN, assisting the approved training organisations with alignment with the ISO and BINDT agendas and standards.

What is your role within the group?

I was one of the founder members of the LAWG when COMADIT started. The current Chair is Bob Cutler, who has a lifetime of experience in laboratory oil and grease analysis and has innovated new techniques such as rapid acid digestion, bringing advanced techniques to the world in a cost-effective manner for the first time. My background is similar, with almost 40 years in tribology and wear debris analysis and monitoring.

Members of the WG are tasked primarily with keeping the WG current with industry trends, new techniques and equipment.

What are the key achievements of the group?
Without a doubt, the group and the PCN examination work has highlighted the importance of this CM technology. Its application today is wider than ever before as operators realise that LA offers significant savings as well as enhanced safety of operation.

What are the latest challenges that this working group is dealing with?
Oil and debris analysis is probably one of the most established CM techniques and is as relevant today as ever. With the current trend to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, oil change periods are constantly being extended. To achieve this, oil chemistry has changed and bearing clearances have significantly reduced; for example, a typical car will now only have an oil change at 18,000 miles (compared to every 6000 miles recently) and the bearing clearances in the engine have reduced proportionately.

In aerospace the challenge now is that, with modern gas turbines not consuming oil as they used to, the oil in the tank is not being topped up with fresh oil after every long flight. Therefore, online oil quality sensing is ripe to be used here.

How can interested companies/individuals get involved in the group?
Contact anyone in the PCN CM team by email to cm.admin@bindt.org. The group welcomes new members who are willing to contribute to furthering the technologies for debris, oil and grease analysis and monitoring along with training options and new applications to expand the adoption of CM.

The next group to be featured in the ‘In Focus’ column will be the Civil Engineering NDT Working Group in June 2024. If you have questions for this group, please send them to Corinne Mackle at ndtnews@bindt.org or Maria Felice at mvfelice@gmail.com The value of this column depends on your questions so please do send them in. It is your choice whether we keep them anonymous or mention your name.

Looking for the People in NDE column? This column will continue on an occasional basis, so if you have any interviewees to recommend, or would like to be featured yourself, please contact the editor at ndtnews@bindt.org or email Maria Felice at mvfelice@gmail.com