Battle of Base Number Testing: D2896 vs. D4739

We have two ASTM Base Number analysis testing methods: D2896 and D4739. D2896 measures the Total Base and includes all sources of Base Number including detergent, dispersant, antiwear and antioxidant additives. On the other hand, D4739 measures the ‘hard base’ such as that from over-based detergents.

What’s the difference?

In addition to ASTM D2896, the Total Base Number of a lubricant can be tested by the procedure detailed in ASTM D4739. There are subtle, yet important differences to consider when looking at Total Base Number data from each. 

Click here to learn more.

 

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Published November 21, 2017

Improve Turbine Reliability

For turbines, unexpected downtime is not an option. The importance of this component makes reliability essential. Partnering with the right fluid analysis program, you can not only reduce downtime but also extend your turbine’s drain intervals.

Improve Your Equipment Reliability:

Turbine reliability is critical for any energy generating unit. The importance of the component to your business makes unexpected downtime unacceptable. Many plant managers move to scheduling turbine maintenance to ensure reliability.

Increase Your Savings:

There’s no way around it – turbine failure is always expensive. Planning your maintenance with a POLARIS Laboratories® program gives you the chance to extend drain intervals and perform maintenance before failures occur.

Extend the Life of Your Equipment:

The best way for you to analyze the health of your turbines is through fluid analysis. By monitoring turbine fluids, you can ensure lubrication meets the standards for the extreme working conditions of your components.

The key to improving the health of your turbines is by building a partnership with a strong fluid analysis laboratory capable of addressing common pain points. At POLARIS Laboratories®, we work every day to be that laboratory. We want to do more than provide you with a service. We want to provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Contact us at getstarted@polarislabs.com to start the partnership.

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Published November 7, 2017

Need a little more uptime in your life?

Having a strong reactive maintenance program is great if you’re ok with constantly being one step behind your machines. No matter what– equipment will eventually break down, but it is possible to predict those breakdowns and plan maintenance around your own schedule. A healthy oil analysis program can help you easily address the maintenance challenges you experience every day.

To learn about the difference between an effective and an ineffective maintenance program, download this help sheet.

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Published October 17, 2017

Ensure Your Compressors are Operational

While compressors may not be the most costly piece of equipment, they are critical to production. Building a strong partnership with a reputable fluid analysis laboratory is a good way of ensuring continued uptime.

Read this solution sheet to learn how you can protect your industrial components, improve equipment reliability, increase savings and extend equipment life.

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Published October 3, 2017

5 Reasons for Changing Diesel Fuel Distillation

POLARIS Laboratories® is changing the way we test the distillation of diesel fuels to provide quicker, more reliable results. The switch from ASTM D86 to ASTM D7345 will go into effect Autumn 2017.

Our laboratories have utilized ASTM D86 since we first started offering diesel fuel analysis. This method was established in 1921 and has been widely employed in the petrochemical industry. As with all tests, it has certain limitations in regards to the amount of sample required and the time it takes to perform. Automation has certainly helped over the years, but now more accurate, reliable and timely options exist.

ASTM D7345 Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Micro Distillation Method) was recently approved for use in ASTM D975 Standard Specification of Diesel Fuel Oils. POLARIS Laboratories® has chosen to switch to this new method to better serve our customers.

1.    Accurate Results

ASTM D7345 shows certain advantages over ASTM D86, notably in the reproducibility of results. While some bias does exist between the two methods, this has been measured by ASTM and formulas are given to remove any of this bias. This means our customers should not see any significant difference in results.

2.    Reliable Data

By investing in new technology, POLARIS Laboratories® continues to ensure our service provides quality of results, and the reproducibility of ASTM D7345 is better than that of ASTM D86.

3.    Timely Analysis

POLARIS Laboratories® recognizes that time constraints are even more critical in today’s business practices. Even better, the analysis can be completed in a fraction of the time of the conventional ASTM D86 analysis.

4.    Efficient Sampling

ASTM D7345 requires only a tenth of the sample requirement of ASTM D86, which leaves more fuel available for follow-up testing.

5.    Improved Capabilities

ASTM D7345 allows for the analysis of B100 Biodiesel blends, something simply not possible under ASTM D86. As more of our customers adopt Biodiesel blends, POLARIS Laboratories® will be able to meet their testing needs.

 

 

With so many advantages to our customers, it was a simple choice to adopt the new distillation method over a method close to a century old. We will strive to continue to offer improvements so we can provide the most accurate, reliable and timely test methods possible.

Is Your Diesel Fuel Clean?

Using clean diesel fuel is more important today than ever. Governmental regulations have pushed equipment manufacturers to design engines that are more clean and efficient but have less tolerance for fuel contamination. Running dirty, wet fuel through your engines will lead to clogged fuel filters and equipment downtime.

Download the Diesel Fuel Cleanliness solution sheet to learn how you can take preventive action.

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Published September 13, 2017

The Underwater Test: Why You Should Test Your Equipment After a Flood

Sometimes it’s hard to plan for destructive natural disasters – such as Hurricane Harvey along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast and the subsequent flooding. So, what do you do if your equipment is exposed to the disaster’s effects and flooding?

Based on years of experience in helping companies save their equipment and extend the equipment’s lifecycle, quite simply we recommend taking action.

Flooding can result in water contamination and can cause corrosion and oxidation which can be extremely harmful for your equipment and, in turn, can cause holds in production and loss of business. How will you know if you need to test your equipment’s fluids to see if any damage was caused and determine if potential maintenance is needed?

First, check for signs of water ingression or leaking. Search for answers to key common challenges, such as:

  • Is the high-water mark above the containers?
  • Is dried mud crusted on the container?
  • Are caps, lids and vents still in place?
  • Are desiccant filters saturated?

After you check for signs of water ingression, the next steps for testing depend on the type of fluid:

Oils and Lubricants

Check the fluid itself for signs of water contamination. A milky appearance indicates the oil additives have emulsified as much water as they could, and there is likely more dissolved in the fluid. An oil analysis test from POLARIS Laboratories® includes a water test, and elemental analysis can identify dirt contamination from mud or salt from sea water.

Coolants

Pressure caps on coolant containers typically prevent floodwaters from entering cooling systems. However, it is still worth the time to perform a field test using a refractometer or paper test strip to determine if the glycol/water ratio is still in balance. If you suspect contamination, a coolant analysis test from POLARIS Laboratories® will determine if the external water and dirt requires the cooling system to be drained and/or flushed.

Bulk Tanks

Bulk tanks typically have water drain-off ports to remove free water that settles to the bottom of the tank, but the fluids should be checked for water as well as using the techniques above. A “thief bomb” or “bacon bomb” may be needed to collect the sample. Diesel fuel and new lubricant testing from POLARIS Laboratories® will determine if the fluid quality is adequate for future use.

It’s crucial for any contaminated oils, coolants or diesel fuel to go through analysis testing when flooding occurs. Testing can prevent future issues from arising and can help determine what equipment maintenance is needed to resume work.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
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Published September 6, 2017

Join POLARIS Laboratories® for an Interactive Training Event

Preparations for the 2017 Customer Summit are in full swing! We are confident it will be an exciting and instructive event! We have a speaker line-up complete with engaging and experienced maintenance professionals who will provide you with new knowledge to further build a successful fluid analysis program.

Attendees of the event will join us for a welcome reception on the evening of November 1. There you will have the exclusive opportunity to play our newly released card game “PROVE IT!”, which was specifically designed with maintenance professionals in mind. Competing with and against fellow attendees, you’ll play and learn how to create a functional fluid analysis program while navigating the highs and lows of an ever-changing market. This evening event will set the stage for the next day and a half of training.

We will kick-off Thursday with a keynote by Cummins Customer Support Manager Brian Liimatta. A general session focusing on starting with clean fluids succeeds our fist keynote. Following that is your choice of breakout sessions covering topics like oil analysis best practices, exceeding management expectations and data integration. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a dynamic tour of the POLARIS Laboratories® facility which includes sessions on improving ROI and filtration.

The education continues into Friday morning with Terrence O’Hanlon presenting our second keynote where he will discuss the role of connectivity in your maintenance practices. Enjoy three more breakouts, choosing from six relevant topics to find the educational path that best fits your maintenance needs. The event closes out with a luncheon where finalists for our Fluid Analysis Excellence Award will share their stories and we will crown our 2017 3P Award winner!

This year’s Customer Summit has been developed with even more value and content. With the opportunity to interact with attendees, speakers and your POLARIS Laboratories® partners, you won’t leave without enhanced knowledge and insight to take back to your every day practices. On top of that, our unique list of vendors will give you an inside look at the latest technological advances in the field.

Following the conclusion of the 2017 Customer Summit will be an opportunity to complete the OMA I or CLS Certifications through STLE. Join us for the summit proceedings and stay Friday afternoon for the STLE proctored exams.

It is our hope that you join us for a few short days and leave with a new outlook on your current program. Each presentation and event you attend will be brimming of insightful information aimed at helping you increase the return on investment of your fluid analysis program. For every dollar you spend on attending the summit, your maintenance team will see a real return. By improving your own training, you can create a more functional fluid analysis program that is capable of real growth.

I truly hope to see you at this year’s exciting event! You can register here. Don’t worry! If your boss needs a little convincing, make the case with this letter.

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Published August 22, 2017

Technical Business Consultant Services

With the right people, processes and technology, your company can take its fluid analysis program to the next level. Our certified Technical Business Consultants provide training, analysis and hands-on consulting experience designed to help you save more of your equipment and improve your uptime.

Pairing your knowledge with our industry experience, our consultants listen to and communicate with your program champions and their teams. Together they work to maximize compliance and achieve greater success.

POLARIS Laboratories® offers several consulting services to help ensure your program sees a significant return on investment. Download the TBC list of services for an in-depth look at all of our offerings.

To learn more about what the TBC team offers, please feel free to contact us directly at rclark@polarislabs.com or hneicamp@polarislabs.com.

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Published August 22, 2017

Protect Your Gear Systems

There’s no avoiding dirt and water contamination in your gear systems. If you’re not careful, wear will occur and damage the overall health of your equipment. Partnering with a strong fluid analysis program, you can prevent undesired downtime and cut your costs.

To learn more about how routine fluid analysis can help protect your gear systems, check out this technical document or contact us directly at custserv@eoilreports.com.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published August 8, 2017