USED OIL ANALYSIS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONDITION MONITORING

Abstract

Engines are the main part of power plants. The performance of the engine depends upon the good condition of the components like cylinders, cylinder heads, pistons, piston rings, valves, and connecting rods, etc. The failure of engine components can be reduced by using condition monitoring techniques. There are many types of condition monitoring techniques are available. The famous Non-destructive Tests (NDTs) for engines condition monitoring are including vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and engine used oil analysis. The aim of this research is to reduce the failures of engine components by analyzing the used oil. Oil is the lifeblood of engines. Much like doctors assess human health through blood analysis, engine components can be monitored in much the same manner. Engine oil analysis means testing a sample of engine oil in unused or used condition. Analysis is done for various properties like Viscosity, Total Base Number (TBN), Total Acid Number (TAN), Ash Content, Flash Point, Water Content, Contamination, and Wear Metal particles which used to monitor the wear rate of engine components. The result of the analysis is then compared with the given analysis limits to assess the quality of lubricant and the possibility of further using, or not. The properties of oil will be changed based on engine running hours. The used oil can be collected from engine after various running hours for analyzing, and the test result is used to assess the condition of engine and oil quality, then maintenance decision will be made according to those results. This optimization of maintenance activities will result in a reasonable cost reduction by increasing the interval of lubricant replacing and saving time and efforts of maintenance authorities.