Wear Metal Concentrations Used for Enhancing Spectrometric Oil Analysis Method Credibility and Statistical Feedback - A Step Towards Big Data Analysis

Abstract

The well-established oil condition monitoring tool of spectrometric oil analysis is used to expand previous published experimental analysis with a view to enhancing multiple wear metal elements study in numerous different applications. This study includes gas turbine engines, piston engines, turboprop and turboshaft engines and helicopter gearbox assemblies. The database used in the original study was enhanced with numerous applications that were used to establish the credibility of spectrometric oil analysis as an important diagnostic tool. The importance of the method lies in its ability to locate unusual concentrations of a metal element that is translated as an indication of abnormal wear of the equipment under scrutiny. The operator benefits from major failures avoidance and taking correct decisions regarding equipment maintenance and servicing or repairing, can also profit from economic factors rationality during equipment operation. Lubricant quality, identification or imminent failures, prolonged life cycle and acquisition of statistical data are conditions that emanate from the correct interpretation of the results that in turn, can avoid human lives and equipment losses due to major incidents.

Keywords

• spectrometric oil analysis
• lubricant sampling
• diagnosis
• wear metals
• friction
• aircraft engines/gearboxes
• engine maintenance procedures