Fluid Analysis — A Preventive Maintenance Tool
There are two steps to the thermal-fluid analysis process. The first
is observational, the second is analytical.
Paratherm's trained technicians can open up the jar and observe a thermal
fluid sample, using three of the five senses (generally, we don’t taste
it, or listen to it) and a few simple empirical techniques, to record viscosity,
consistency, water contamination, metal contamination, and possible acidity,
particle formation, and presence of sludge.
These objective observations can tell us much about the fluid. Often,
suspicions of contamination arise during this step, and can be confirmed by
the subsequent lab tests. Appearance and odor can indicate contamination,
as well as possible cracking due to overheating, and increased acidity due to
oxidation.
If we observe metal contamination, we can diagnose metallic wear in the system;
most often due to pump problems, but also sometimes originating elsewhere.
If we observe water contamination, we can interview the system engineer to
determine possible exchanger breaches, or other system problems that can introduce
moisture to the circuit.
When the preliminary observations are complete, the sample is sent to the laboratory
to be tested for TAN (Total Acid Number,) kinematic viscosity, and distillation
range.
On the laboratory end, changes in the distillation curve can indicate overheating
problems, as can viscosity changes. We compare the new-fluid values for
these parameters with those of the sample from the working system. Interviewing
the system operators can then help us pinpoint whether there are fluid velocity
problems, flow restrictions, expansion tank configurations, or other system
characteristics that may be causing overheating.
In a similar manner, when the total acid number of the fluid has exceeded the
envelope we consider optimum, we can work with the customer to help determine
how their system is malfunctioning, or underfunctioning, to cause air to contact
the hot fluid and oxidize it.
(In many cases, fluid analysis simply provides confirmation that the system,
and the fluid, are well maintained, and running well.)
These sorts of problems often involve the expansion tank, and may include how
it is piped, what size it is, its location, its level, or its temperature--
or a combination of these factors. But there are other circumstances that
can cause oxidation in a given system, and discussion of fluid analysis results
with the operator can often reveal these trouble spots.
Early discovery of such fluid problems, which really are symptoms of system
problems, has helped us preserve systems and fluid, maintaining them longer
than when analysis is not performed. But even more important, we have
prevented problems such as; loss of production; long downtimes for repairs;
poor end-product quality; fire risk due to degraded fluid; premature pump replacement
due to cavitation, poor adjustment, or seal and bearing wear; design flaws that
cause shortened fluid and system life; expansion tank damage due to acidic sludge
buildup, and many more.
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The Engineers at Paratherm Corporation know industrial processing systems and
applications as well as they know their fluids. Successful processors
are getting the most out of Paratherm and its superior products and engineering
support.
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forget the other links too! Although heat transfer fluids and cleaners are what
we ship to you, services are what we do for you. All day,
everyday. Design assistance, thermal fluid analysis, applications support,
preventive maintenance, and fast, attentive response to orders and other needs.
Paratherm has been developing new heat transfer fluid products
since 1988—products that continue to improve the efficiency of thermal processing
applications and product quality . Paratherm customers have learned to count
on the safety and reliability of these safe, non-toxic, non-fouling fluids.
New stocking and shipping locations mean customers get the
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