Is there any predictive maintenance that can be done on grease lubricated pumps?

[jejaram]

I'll start by saying that I am very familiar of physicochemical analysis of oil for different rotating equipment such as turbines and pumps, but the case I have now is a large size pump that uses grease for lubrication, not oil but just grease.

So I was wondering if someone could recommend if there is something similar to what is done with the oil analysis but instead performed on the grease.

 

[TugboatEng]

The trouble with grease is that it does not circulate. What you see in your sample is going to depend very highly upon where you take your sample from.

Contamination aside, rolling bearings don't shed wear particles until after they have failed. Vibration analysis is the preferred predictive maintenance for rolling element bearings.

 

[jejaram]

Thanks a lot. What you said makes a lot of sense.

 

[EdStainless]

Along with vibration you should monitor temperature.
Grease lubrication does not work if it is too cold or too hot.

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[TugboatEng]

Don't use a high temperature grease because your bearings are running hot. Use a grease that will keep your bearings from running hot (lower viscosity base oil).