Oil Mist Lubrication Training
Oil Mist Lubrication Training
Oil Mist Lubrication Training
Don Ehlert is currently Manager for EPC Sales at Lubrication Systems Co., a Colfax Company, located in Houston, TX. His current responsibilities include providing technical training and sales presentations. He is also responsible for quotation packages for domestic and foreign engineering companies and end user projects.
Since joining LSC in 1984, Don has filled positions in equipment assembly, field maintenance, field installation, field management, sales and sales management. His vast experience allows him to provide technical support to oil mist users world wide. He has been instrumental with the development of oil mist related products and accessories for special applications. He has authored numerous articles related to lubrication systems and their applications. Prior to LSC Mr. Ehlert had spent time in the US Navy providing maintenance and operation support for aircraft on the hydraulic and flight control systems.
Pump Retrofit
Slinger Rings
Topics
Introduction & Evolution of Oil Mist What is Oil Mist Lubrication with Oil Mist
Instrumentation Air In
Vortex
Oil Mist Oil
3 Microns
Reclassifier Sizes
Bearing Inch
3 6 10 15 20 BI BI BI BI BI
SCFM
0.09 0.18 0.30 0.45 0.60
5 0 2
5 0 1
Distribution Header
Reclassifier
502
Mist Manifold
Oil Mist was develop in Europe; 1930s. Introduced to the US Market ; 1948 STLE Mtg. First HPI system was in Amuay, Venezuela; 1960s.
First HPI paper on oil mist lubrication published by Mr. Charlie Miannay; 1974 Hydrocarbon Processing.
System reliability improved; early 1980s.
OMG
Demisting Device
Oil mist systems are centralized lubrication systems that continuously and efficiently atomizes oil into small particles and then conveys and delivers the correct amount of the pressurized oil mist lubricant to bearings and metal surfaces resulting in improved lubrication, fewer failures/repairs, lower life cycle costs
Oil Mist is an Aerosol; Not a VOC Oil Mist 1 Part Oil & 200,000 Equal Parts Air Will Not Support Combustion Dry Mist is Generated for transportation 20 H2O Pressure Oil
The air-oil mixture is several orders of magnitude too lean to sustain combustion.
Experiments have shown the concentration of oil mist in the header ranges from 0.005 to as little as 0.001 of the concentration generally considered flammable.
Bearing isolators are preferred to help contain the oil mist in the bearing housing
Reclassifiers
important
Oil mist flow is required to apply mist to bearings
Vertical Applications
Always
Brg. Isolators
150 Kw & Up 3000 RPM & Up Always
Two Points
Two Points
contaminated oil
Allows removal of cooling water
Pump Retrofit
Slinger Rings
Pump Retrofit
Single Lube Point
Pump Retrofit
Single inlets and bearing isolators may require additional vent to allow flow through the multiple row bearing
Pump Retrofit
Pump Retrofit
Pump Retrofit
Pump Retrofit
Pump Retrofit
Oil mist is directed into the rolling elements and passes through to inboard bearing
Directional's are not required on current API edition between bearing pumps
Motor Retrofit
Not as easily retrofitted as pumps No defined or sealed bearing housing Grease must be removed completely.
Items of Concern Seal inlet port to junction box Oil Compatible lead wire insulation Oil compatible epoxy coating Case drain required on coupling end; plug fan end drain port Vent lines routed away from fan
Motor Retrofit
Oil mist must pass through the bearings from top to bottom
Pillow Block
No re-greasing
No oil changes
No dirty oil
Turbine Retrofit
Purge Applications
Turbine Application
Little or no modifications required when retrofitting purge oil mist to existing equipment.
Gear box applications are always purge mist applications. The oil mist prevents intrusion of
control.
Motors
Man Power Oil Savings Cooling Water
Lost Production
Non-Spared Equip.
Actual Experience
Maintenance staff no longer changes oil or regreases motors. 180 Oil Sumps Oil Changes: 2 per year Oil Fills/Checks: 4 per month Time Per Sump: 4.5 hours/year Cost: $67/hour Manpower Credit: $55,000/year .25 Hrs to re-grease mtrs. semi annual
With 600 Pumps and Motors oil mist redirects 3000 man hours per year to proactive failure avoidance and reliability improvement tasks.
Questions
Contact Info
Don Ehlert Lubrication Systems Co. Houston, TX USA Phone 1-713-464-6266 Email [email protected]