Fluid Analysis
Our fluid analysis service provides a full range of information on fluid and equipment
health that enables equipment problems to be identified and solved. The service
provides customers with an invaluable preventative maintenance tool that supports
operations and informs key maintenance decisions. The primary equipment fluids covered
by our fluid analysis service are oil, fuel and coolant. Please read on for a detailed
description of the fluid test and analysis service.
Oil is the “lifeblood” of machines and equipment. Oil that has been inside any engine
or moving mechanical apparatus for some time reflects the exact condition of that
assembly. As moving parts make contact, wear occcurs and introduces minute metal
particles to the oil. These particles are so small that they remain in suspension.
Many products of the combustion process also become trapped in the circulating oil.
In addition, the oil may be exposed to external contamination. The oil becomes a
working history of the machine. Routine testing and analysis of the oil enables
these impurities to be identified, measured, and trended. This provides an indication
of the rate of wear and level of contamination, which in turn can tell you a lot
about how your equipment is being used and what condition it is in.
The goal of our effective oil testing program is to generate the information required
by our Expert Decision Support System (EDSS) in order to provide a detailed assessment
of equipment and fluid condition. A typical oil analysis can detect the following
conditions:
Oil Analysis for Lubricant Condition
The assessment of the lubricant condition confirms that the correct lubricant is
being used for the designated purpose, and also reveals whether that lubricant is
healthy and fit for further service, or requires replacing.
Oil Testing for Contamination
The ingress of contaminants from the surrounding environment and process contamination
in the form of silicon (dirt), water, glycol, and fuel, is the leading cause of
equipment degradation and failure. Increased contamination alerts you to take action
in order to save the oil and avoid unnecessary equipment wear.
Oil Tests to Identify Equipment Wear
Unhealthy equipment can generate wear particles at an exponential rate. The detection
and analysis of these particles by the correct oil tests assists in identifying
equipment problems and making critical maintenance recommendations aimed at removing
the contamination and addressing the root cause of the problem. This will ultimately
result in expensive equipment failure due to worn out components being avoided.
IMPORTANT: A significantly high percentage of equipment failures are caused
by mechanical wear and the most effective way of reducing mechanical wear to a minimum
is to maintain a healthy and clean lubricating oil.
Oil analysis is a key component of the Machine Care Plus® equipment
fluid analysis and condition monitoring service and provides the customer with the
following benefits:
- Identify problems before they become catastrophic failures
- Reduce catastrophic failures
- Extend equipment life
- Extend/optimise oil drain intervals
- Reduce servicing costs and repair bills
- Reduce non-scheduled downtime
- Increase re-sale value – regular sampling provides good evidence of regular and
proper servicing.
- Maximise your return on investment
AES offers a range of different fluid analysis and test packages, and by interacting
with our customers we can offer test packages that best meet their requirements,
whilst avoiding expensive and unnecessary additional tests. Our basic test packages
are detailed below, and additional/specialised tests can be made available, as required.
Please Contact Us with your
enquiries or to obtain information on test package pricing.
Oil Sampling Test Packages
Engine Test Package
Elemental Metals (24) by ICP
Viscosity @ 40oC or 100oC
Water Content %
Fuel Dilution %
Insolubles %
Oxidation/Nitration
Total Base Number
Transmission/Gearbox Test Package
Elemental Metals (24) by ICP
Viscosity @ 40oC or 100oC
Water Content %
Hydraulic System Test Package
Elemental Metals (24) by ICP
Viscosity @ 40oC or 100oC
Water Content %
Total Acid Number
ISO Particle Count
Coolant Test Package
Elemental Metals (15) by ICP
Glycol %
Relative Density
Visual – Appearance & Colour
Fuel Test Package
Elemental Metals (25) by ICP
Viscosity @ 40oC
Water Content %
Relative Density
ISO Particle Count
Visual – Appearance & Colour
Flash Point
Microbiology, Yeast & Fungi
Fuel analysis can identify potential causes for fuel filter plugging, smoking, loss
of power, poor injector performance, malfunctioning throttle position sensors and
sticking valves. Testing also confirms a diesel fuel's sulphur content, biodiesel
content and compliance with manufacturer specifications and standards for cleanliness
that could affect equipment warranty requirements.
AES offers multiple fuel testing packages, plus we can also customize packages to
accommodate requests specific to individual customer requirements.
Improperly functioning cooling systems are a major cause of equipment failure, and
yet the coolant system is typically the least understood and most overlooked component
of the modern engine.
Regular testing of the coolant formulation monitors the condition of the coolant
to ensure proper cooling system operation. If the coolant formulation is not correct
for its application then much increased rates of corrosion, erosion, pitting and
scaling can affect the metal surfaces of liners, coolers, heat exchangers and radiators
leading to premature engine failure. However, coolant analysis is not just about
testing the coolant formulation; it can also identify potential problems before
they become catastrophic failures. A properly maintained cooling system not only
prevents overheating but also maintains a constant engine temperature. Poorly operating
cooling systems cause the engine to run hotter which in turn causes the lubricant
to oxidize and lose its lubricity thus causing abnormal wear in all oil wetted areas
leading to reduced engine life and potential catastrophic failure.
Although engine coolant analysis is primarily applicable to diesel and gasoline
engines because they are the most likely component to suffer from a poorly operating
cooling system, it can be applied to any closed loop cooling system. The longevity
of liquid cooled transmission and hydraulic system components are also dependent
on a properly operating cooling system.
Coolant analysis is important for the following reasons:
- Protect against corrosion and rust
- Extend drain intervals
- Protect your engine
- Environmental/disposal concerns