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:

New torque sensors for fastening applications
Spero Sensors & Instrumentation Motion Control & Drives
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.

Read more...
Tough chain and induction hardened sprockets
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Tsubaki Titan chain series offers significant improvements in wear life, particularly in demanding applications like abrasive and dusty conditions.

Read more...
Innomotics powers largest heat pump system in the Netherlands
Motion Control & Drives
Innomotics, a global leader in the provision of electric motors and large drive systems, has played a pivotal role in the realisation of the largest heat pump system in the Netherlands. It is located at the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Utrecht.

Read more...
Heavy-duty V-belts for aggressive conditions
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s extensive range of specialised Gates belting includes heavy-duty Predator V-belts, which have been specially designed to meet the challenges of drives that need to perform optimally in harsh African conditions.

Read more...
Three decades, one Perfect Harmony GH180
Motion Control & Drives
When customers seek to install a new medium voltage variable frequency drive, their priorities are reliability, efficiency and ease of use. Innomotics excels in these areas with its robust product offerings.

Read more...
Robust industrial chain solutions
Motion Control & Drives
Bearings International recently relaunched its quality range of premium brand chain solutions, KÖBO and Zexus, alongside its renowned private label offering Roller Chain Opti.

Read more...
Unlocking the smart factory
ElectroMechanica Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At ElectroMechanica, we recognise that transitioning to smart automation isn’t just about adopting new technology; it’s about solving real challenges. Labour shortages, rising costs and downtime due to outdated machinery make digital transformation essential for long-term competitiveness.

Read more...
Enhanced grease gun and pump range
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
The addition of a new LAGC S coupler to enhance the performance, safety and ease of operation of SKF’s proven grease gun and pump ranges demonstrates the company’s commitment to channelling innovation into its products and technology solutions.

Read more...
Problem solving under pressure
Axiom Hydraulics Motion Control & Drives
The greatest strength of Axiom Hydraulics lies in the company’s ability to solve complex problems and adapt systems to meet unique challenges. This capability stems from two key factors: the diverse experience of its team members, which spans decades across multiple disciplines, and their unwavering dedication to their clients.

Read more...
New AI advisor for robot selection
igus Motion Control & Drives
igus’ new AI chatbot has been added to the online platform RBTX.com. The interactive consultant is designed to enable companies with little previous experience and technological expertise to quickly and reliably put together low-cost automation solutions to becoming more competitive.

Read more...