The three biggest challenges for a military force are readiness, safety and cost. On-site oil analysis addresses all these challenges.
Readiness
Taking oil samples, sending them to a lab for analysis and then waiting for the results before taking action is not a recipe for fleet readiness. It simply takes too long to get those answers. With assets that might need to be deployed at a moment’s notice, a military force can’t wait days or weeks for answers about their equipment reliability. They need a solution in the field that is quick and easy to use.
Safety
If a hydraulic system fails due to oil contamination, people’s lives and valuable equipment are put at risk. No fighting force wants to take unnecessary risks like that. With field deployable oil analysis labs and portable, handheld analyzers, personnel are equipped to run tests themselves and get answers where and when they are needed – in the field. This increases safety for everybody.
Cost
Shipping of samples, particularly from remote locations, costs time and money. Lab tests are expensive as well. Performing oil analysis in the field eliminates shipping costs and the cost per test is significantly lower than that charged by oil analysis laboratories. Having the equipment deployed typically leads to more testing as the equipment is readily available. More testing further improves reliability.
Reliable oil analysis is a critical component of ensuring the reliability of military assets. Our suite of products offers varying degrees of portability depending on the conditions where the technology needs to be deployed.
Typical Tests
Joint Oil Analysis Program
Spectro Scientific supplies analytical instruments to military organizations throughout the world. The Spectroil MN-W is the only spectrometer to meet or exceed the requirements of the U.S. military’s JOAP (Joint Oil Analysis Program). In some cases, Spectro Scientific has supplied an entire turnkey oil analysis laboratory to implement a program from the beginning. We welcome the opportunity to continue to be of service to existing customers and to assist new customers with their oil analysis instrumentation requirements.
Wear
Particle count - a high particle count or a rapid increase in particles can foreshadow an imminent failure.
Particle composition - it is often important to understand the elemental composition of particles in order to find out where they came from. Optical Emission Spectroscopy gives the user elemental information for up to 32 elements, from Li to Ce (varies with application).
Chemistry
Viscosity - The main function of lubrication oil is to create and maintain a lubrication film between two moving metal surfaces. Insuring the viscosity is within recommended ranges is one of the most important tests one can run on lube oil.
Total Acid Number (TAN) - TAN is measured to determine the corrosive potential of lubrication oils. If the TAN gets too high the oil can induce corrosion of machine parts and should be changed.
Contamination
Fuel Dilution - Fuel dilution in oil is a condition caused by excess, unburned fuel mixing with engine oil in an engine crankcase. Hydrocarbon-based fuel, usually with a lower vapor pressure than the lubricant, has a thinning effect, lowering the oil viscosity. Oil film strength is reduced, increasing the cylinder liner and bearing wear.
