To monitor component and fluid health, power generation equipment needs routine fluid analysis testing. Wear and tear can happen inside the equipment and, without warning, can cause serious, costly downtime for your operation, and your customers.
Whether you’re generating prime power that keeps the world moving, maintaining critical standby generators for hospitals or providing back up power for data centers, adding additional fluid condition monitoring to your maintenance means increased reliability and ease of mind.
Below are the recommended tests for equipment and components in the Power Generation industry. Other test-packages or variations of these are available; but these recommended options are designed as best-fit for improved equipment and lubrication reliability.
To request a quote or if you’re looking for custom options, contact us.
Diesel Engine
Monitor wear, contamination and fuel dilution in engine oil to prevent damage and extend operating life.
- Base Number (BN)
mod. ASTM D4739 - Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185 - Fuel Dilution %
ASTM D7593 - Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412 - Soot %
ASTM E2412 - Viscosity at 100°C
ASTM D2270 - Water by Crackle
Internal Method
Natural/Bio/Landfill Gas Engine
Monitor contamination, wear and fuel-related byproducts that can impact combustion efficiency, increase deposits and reduce engine reliability.
- Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664 - Base Number (BN)
mod. ASTM D4739 - Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185 - Initial pH
mod. ASTM 7946 - Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412 - Particle Count
ASTM D7647 ISO 4406 - Viscosity at 40oC
mod. ASTM D445 - Viscosity at 100oC
mod. ASTM D445 - Water by Crackle
Internal Method
Wind Turbine Gearbox
Detect wear, lubrication degradation and contamination to protect critical components and ensure long-term gearbox reliability.
- Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664 - Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185 - Ferrous Debris (FerroQ)
ASTM D8120 - Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412 - Particle Count
ASTM D7647 ISO 4406 - Viscosity at 40oC
mod. ASTM D445 - Viscosity at 100oC
mod. ASTM D445 - Water by Karl Fischer ppm
mod. ASTM D6304
Turbines
Provide a comprehensive evaluation of fluid condition, contamination, varnish potential and wear to protect critical turbine components and ensure reliable, long-term operation.
- Air Release
ASTM D3427 - Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664 - Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185 - Foaming Tendency
ASTM D892 - LSV (RULER)
ASTM D6971 - MPC (Membrane Patch Colorimetry) Varnish
ASTM D7843 - Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412 - Particle Count
ASTM D7647 ISO 4406 - Viscosity at 40oC
mod. ASTM D445 - Water by Karl Fischer ppm
mod. ASTM D6304 - Water Separability
ASTM D1401
Cooling Systems
Checks corrosion protection, contamination and inhibitor health to prevent overheating and system damage.
- Boil Point
- Carboxylic Acid Pass/Fail
(Shell, Chevron or Cat ELC only) - Contaminants (Chloride and Sulfate)
- Corrosion, Contaminant and Inhibitor metals (Iron, Copper, Aluminum, Lead, Tin, Zinc, Silver, Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Phosphate, Boron, Molybdenum, Sodium, Potassium)
- Degradation Acids (Glycolate, Formate, Acetate and Oxalate)
- ELC Basic Coolant analysis additive (Benzoate, 2-Ethylhexanoic acid, Sebacic acid, Octanoic acid, p-Toluic, MBT, TT Z, BZT)
- Freeze Point
- Glycol
- Inhibitors (Nitrite and Nitrate)
- Nitrite
- pH
- SCA#
- Specific Conductance
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Total Hardness
- Visual (color, oil and/or fuel contamination, foam magnetic/non-magnetic precipitation and odor)
Diesel Fuel
Detect contamination, water and fuel degradation that can reduce combustion efficiency, damage injection systems and lead to poor engine performance.
- API Gravity
ASTM D7777 - Bacteria, Fungi and Mold
Manufacturer - Cetane Index
ASTM D976 - Cloud Point
ASTM D7689 - Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185 - Flash Point
ASTM D3828 - Micro-Distillation
Predicted D86 results by ASTM D7689 - Pour Point
ASTM D7346 - Sulfur
ASTM D7220 - Thermal Stability
mod. ASTM D6468 - Viscosity
ASTM D445 - Water & Sediment
ASTM D2709
Industry Sample Trends and Intervals
| Component Type | Recommended Sampling Interval |
|---|---|
| Diesel Engine | 250 hrs or 30 days* |
| Natural Gas Engine | 250 hrs or 30 days* |
| Coolant – Conventional EG Used | Twice per year, beginning Summer, beginning Winter |
| #2 Diesel Fuel | Twice per year, beginning Summer, beginning Winter |
| Hydraulic | 1,000 hrs |
| Gear Box/Gear System | 1,000 hrs or twice per year |
| Turbine | 2,000 hrs or 4 times per year |
| Compressor | 2,000 hrs or 4 times per year |
*Follow Quad Z guidelines if applicable
-
All critical equipment should be sampled at least once every 30 days to ensure proper functionality, maintain compliance with operational standards, and identify potential issues before they affect performance.
-
Equipment requiring compliance with ISO 4406 recommendations should be sampled at least once every 30 days to properly monitor fluid cleanliness levels and maintain adherence to the standard.
-
OEM recommendations should be followed to maintain warranty coverage and ensure equipment operates within the manufacturer’s specified performance standards.
-
Company policies and applicable EPA requirements should be reviewed when complying with the EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Subpart ZZZZ (Quad Z) to ensure all operational, reporting, and maintenance obligations are met.
DOWNLOAD OUR COMPLETE
TESTING LIST
Ready to Start Achieving Optimum
Equipment Reliability with Fluid Analysis?
Corporate Headquarters
7451 Winton Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268
+1.317.808.3750
Mon 7:30am thru Fri 7pm. ET
