Motion Control & Drives


Oil analysis is critical to monitor diesel engine combustion efficiency

October 2024 Motion Control & Drives

Diesel engines are the driving force powering many modern transportation and industry applications. Efficient engine function relies heavily on the combustion process that converts fuel into mechanical energy. High-quality combustion is crucial for optimal engine performance and overall reliability.

ISO-Reliability Partners is an own emblem manufacturer (OEM) of class-leading microfine oil filtration solutions, diesel purity testing, vacuum dehydration systems, automated water removal for compressed air, and high efficiency industrial air scrubbing. The company excels in providing its customers with reduced equipment failure and increased production efficiencies.

“The majority of our clients are manufacturing facilities, general industry, and mining. Our unique solutions and products are suited to any large-scale user of gearboxes, diesel equipment, industrial or mobile machinery,” says the company’s Craig FitzGerald. “Our solutions outshine in high-speed, extreme load, high-temperature and high-contamination applications. We have a vast trove of unique industrial solutions that aid in eliminating equipment failures and dramatically improving reliability and availability.”

When oil or diesel is purchased, it already holds unacceptably high levels of contaminants. OE filters are not capable of removing these fine particles, leading to high equipment failure rates. To achieve equipment reliability and eliminate machine failures it is becoming essential to focus on fine contaminant removal within the 1-to-4-micron range. ISO micro fine filtration systems address and remove the fine contaminants found in diesel and oil fluid systems, which regular in-line OE filters are incapable of removing. These particles are the leading cause of high internal wear rates and assured equipment breakdowns.

FitzGerald emphasises that oil analysis is valuable for acquiring important information about the lubricant condition, internal wear rates and contamination. Knowing what is happening inside the equipment enables early failure detection for timely intervention. Regular in-service engine oil analysis detects most of these issues, provided that a dedicated oil analysis programme is in place. In recent times, real-time oil analysis technologies are creating a buzz in the market, due to their ability to further reduce the detection time for potential faults and indicators of equipment failure.

In its drive for excellence in machine performance and uptime, ISO-Reliability has partnered with Yateks, a technological leader in the manufacture of real-time oil quality sensors which meet the highest standards of industrial oil analysis. These provide unrivalled machine and engine protection.

With oil analysis data, maintenance managers or workshop supervisors can strategically plan interventions or conduct minor corrective maintenance actions instead of triggering a major intervention on the equipment. 92% of all lubricated component failures can be attributed to fluid contamination. In high-pressure common-rail diesel engines, fluid contamination leads to indicators such as fuel dilution and soot formation. These are a result of incomplete combustion due to improper fuel atomisation caused solely by fine fluid contamination. Excessive soot content in engine oil signals potential issues with the components involved in combustion. These can be injection problems, prolonged oil drain intervals, low compression, or a high fuel/air ratio and cold air temperature.

Fuel dilution occurs when the quantity of unburned fuel in engine oil increases. A high fuel dilution rate indicates abnormal fuel atomisation at the point of injection. Instead of a fine well-dispersed mist, jets of diesel combust incompletely, allowing unburnt diesel to pass the piston rings and thin engine oil viscosities, and leading to an inability for the oil to protect lubricated components. With high fuel present in the oil, the lubricant’s viscosity becomes too low, reducing overall lubricating effectiveness. This phenomenon is often associated with raw or unburned fuel mixing with the oil as a result of incomplete combustion, worn injectors, or improper fuel/air ratio.

Since poor combustion quality is connected with engine oil degradation, mitigating the issue begins by using suitable microfine filtration and adhering to the recommended oil change frequency. Countermeasures to remedy failure rates involve using good fuel quality, improving filtration levels, checking air intake cleanliness and monitoring injector performance.

ISO-Reliability Partners offers a comprehensive value proposition centred around enhancing machine efficiency and reliability. It leverages deep expertise to unlock significant value that might otherwise be lost in industrial processes. It also supplies cutting-edge lubrication management, including the use of Royal Purple ultra-high-performance lubricants, which improves equipment protection and reduces energy consumption.

FitzGerald says that the company is developing a predictive maintenance platform powered by AI for real-time equipment monitoring, early fault detection, and reduced human interaction with machinery, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency. “Our focus is on innovative solutions to improve efficiency and reduce wastage, addressing critical concerns like energy security,” he concludes.

For more information contact ISO-Reliability Partners, +27 10 449 6414, [email protected], www.iso-reliability.com




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Smart features increase crane safety
Motion Control & Drives
The newly launched Konecranes S series hoist offers a large bouquet of smart features which not only increase lifting device safety but also deliver a higher level of operator protection.

Read more...
Compact, powerful hexapod for high-precision applications
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.

Read more...
Hexagon Electrical services electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.

Read more...
NORD modular drives for frequently changing motor speeds
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG has made a substantial investment over the years to ensure assembly, stockholdings and technical support for the Nord range are in line with stringent international quality, safety and environmental standards.

Read more...
Cutting-edge robotics and smart manufacturing solutions
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
Yaskawa Southern Africa made a compelling impact at this year’s Africa Automation and Technology Fair

Read more...
Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.

Read more...
Powerful high-precision hexapod
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.

Read more...
Servicing the electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.

Read more...
Control system for deep antenna
Rockwell Automation Motion Control & Drives
When a major university in South Korea set out to build a 21-metre deep space antenna, the researchers needed a control system that could track celestial objects with pinpoint accuracy, a level of precision they thought was out of reach. By partnering with Rockwell Automation, they discovered that the right technology and support could turn their vision into reality.

Read more...
Manufacturers should go PFAS-Free
igus Motion Control & Drives
igus continues to develop engineered plastics that are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS-free) in response to mounting evidence of severe environmental and health hazards caused by the chemicals.

Read more...