Lubricant Antioxidant Analysis with RULER
What Types of Antioxidants are Present in Lubricants that are Used in Turbines?
Turbine oils depend on antioxidants to protect the base oil against severe oxidation and degradation. The additives are designed to be sacrificial, meaning they oxidize before any other component of the lubricant.
The two main categories of antioxidants are primary and secondary.
Primary antioxidants act by removing the free radicals - the molecules that cause degradation in the lubricants – amine and phenols.
Secondary antioxidants are present to eliminate any peroxides.
How Can You Measure the Antioxidants Present in Turbine Oil?
Ruler is the method for monitoring the level of antioxidants and lubricants, and it is based on photometric analysis. We compare in-service oil to a brand new oil to get the percentage of antioxidants that are remaining in the system.
What is an Abnormal Antioxidant Level in Oil?
Looking at amines or phenols only, we would consider 35% remaining as marginal and 25% remaining as critical.
For mixed antioxidant systems with both amines and phenols, the alarm limits are the same - 35% remaining as marginal and 25% remaining as critical.
Why is it Important to Monitor Antioxidant Levels in Oil?
Antioxidants in oil can degrade and cause varnish to form in the system.
Learn More About Lubricant Antioxidant Analysis
If you are interested in learning more about Lubricant Antioxidant Analysis, download our free eBook, "Outsmart Varnish," and contact us today!
