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

jejaram · Jul 25, 2023

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 · Jul 25, 2023

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 · Jul 26, 2023

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

EdStainless · Jul 26, 2023

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

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

TugboatEng · Jul 26, 2023

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).

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

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

jejaram

Electrical

Recommended for you

TugboatEng

Marine/Ocean

jejaram

Electrical

EdStainless

Materials

TugboatEng

Marine/Ocean

Similar threads

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor