The path a lubricant takes from refinement to deployment is critical, and any weakness along that path can compromise an entire lubrication program. A world-class lubricant reception and storage program isn't built on chance, and it represents the vital link between delivery and deployment.

These programs are meticulously constructed from the ground up, with seemingly routine processes that ensure lubricant integrity, maximize equipment reliability, and achieve lubrication excellence. By mastering these foundational elements, a facility can successfully elevate its lubrication program to create excellence.

Receiving New Lubricants

The journey of a lubricant from refinery to machine is filled with potential pitfalls. While much emphasis is placed on proper storage, handling, and application, the crucial first step – lubricant reception – is often overlooked. This initial stage sets the tone for the entire lubrication program. A poorly executed reception process can introduce contaminants, compromise lubricant quality, and lead to premature equipment failure, costly downtime, and diminished productivity.  

Think of lubricant reception as a quality control checkpoint. It's the moment to verify that what's being delivered matches the specifications, cleanliness standards, and overall quality expected. This involves more than simply signing a delivery receipt. It requires a meticulous inspection of containers, a thorough documentation review, and, in some cases, on-site testing.

An important aspect to understand is that new oil does not equal clean oil. This means that by establishing a robust reception protocol, a program is doing much more than just accepting a delivery; it’s building a foundation for a successful lubrication program. This proactive approach ensures that only clean, high-quality lubricants enter a facility, safeguarding critical equipment and maximizing facility investment.

Setting Cleanliness Standards

Upon arrival, each lubricant shipment should undergo a rigorous inspection. This includes verifying the container’s integrity, checking for leaks or damage, and confirming that the product matches the accompanying documentation. Samples should be taken and tested for key properties, such as viscosity, water content, additive levels, and particle count, to ensure compliance with specifications.

For example, one key marker and measurement critical to lubricant reception practices deals with the cleanliness and dryness of the lubricant – ISO 4406. With ISO 4406, lubricant cleanliness is measured using a particle counter and reported based on this ISO standard. By utilizing this standard, facilities can create and maintain robust cleanliness targets, helping to build a benchmark for how clean a variety of lubricants must be to fulfill their intended applications properly. This also creates a consistent lubrication reception process, helping to ensure standards are met and maintained across the board to prevent machine contamination and reduce critical asset failure.

This same idea can be directly applied to target lubricant dryness, where a facility can quickly discover the amount of water in a lubricant. The reported dryness and cleanliness numbers can also ensure the delivered lubricants meet the supplier's targeted expectations. If these targets are not met regularly, a facility may have cause to switch lubricant suppliers.

While these steps can often be overlooked, they can have the most significant impact on preventing contamination across the facility. To support these efforts, a detailed reception checklist should be implemented to standardize the process and ensure no critical steps are missed. By prioritizing lubricant reception, a facility is not just receiving a shipment; it’s actively protecting essential equipment and helping to ensure the long-term effectiveness of its lubrication program.

The Importance of Proper Lubricant Storage

Because a facility’s investment in high-quality lubricants is only as valuable as their condition when applied to machinery, a world-class lubrication management program's job doesn't end at the delivery docks. It must also include proper lubricant storage practices.

Proper lubrication storage isn't just about tidiness; it's about safeguarding the entire lubrication program. Improper storage can silently erode lubricant performance by allowing contamination to ingress, thereby degrading a lubricant’s properties. This can turn a facility’s lubrication from a partner in performance to a potential threat to all critical machinery. A well-organized and controlled storage environment impacts lubricant quality, equipment longevity, and overall maintenance efficiency.

Lubricants are not just fluids but essential working components in mechanical systems. To ensure optimal performance, a facility must treat lubricants with the same care as any other critical part. Proper storage safeguards the lubricant's quality, prevents contamination, and minimizes the risk of premature deterioration, ensuring that only clean, effective lubricants are put into service.

Protection Against Time and the Elements

A dedicated storage space is essential to safeguard lubricants and maintain their readiness. The surrounding environment plays a critical role in preserving lubricant integrity. Silent adversaries, such as extreme temperatures, temperature fluctuations, and humidity, can compromise the protective qualities of stored lubricants.

These environmental conditions facilitate air movement, effectively causing lubricant containers to "inhale" contaminants, such as through openings on loose drum bungs. This process allows moisture, particles, and air to enter the container, directly compromising the quality and effectiveness of the lubricant's base stock and additive package.

Effective lubricant management also requires understanding that lubricants are subject to natural degradation over time. While manufacturer guidelines provide a foundation for determining shelf-life, lubricant specifications should still be verified upon delivery due to variations in additive packages. Immediate storage in ideal conditions is essential. The cleanliness and efficiency of a lubrication room directly impact the lubricant's longevity and effectiveness.

A First-In, First-Out (FIFO) system should be employed to maintain lubricant quality, guaranteeing that older stock is utilized first. Additionally, precise inventory management and balancing minimum and maximum stock levels are essential. Overstocking ties up valuable storage space and increases the risk of lubricant degradation and spoilage.

Conclusion

The journey to lubrication excellence is not a single leap, but a series of deliberate steps. Ultimately, a world-class lubrication program aims to prevent contamination and consistently deliver high-quality lubricants to critical machinery.

Achieving this world-class lubrication program hinges on a establishing and maintaining a proactive, meticulous approach to lubricant reception and storage. These seemingly routine processes are, in fact, the pillar of equipment reliability and operational excellence.

By treating lubricants as vital components and prioritizing cleanliness and environmental control, facilities can prevent contamination, extend lubricant lifespan, and ultimately achieve world-class standards in lubrication management.

Supplier Spotlight

Noria Academy 1328 E. 43rd Court, Tulsa, OK 74105 800-597-5460 | Noria.com/Academy

Obtaining certification can be a challenge; new terms, concepts and topics can overwhelm even the most experienced reliability professionals. Training experts all agree that extending the learning beyond the classroom dramatically increases knowledge retention. To aid in this retention and create an innovative student experience, Noria is pleased to offer the Noria Academy app.

RelaWorks 1328 E. 43rd Court, Tulsa, OK 74145 918-392-5058 | RelaWorks.com

Finding the right products can be difficult. Every industry and application is unique. Over-spending and guess work is common. At RelaWorks, we help reliability professionals solve this challenge. Our mission is to provide products for your unique needs and budget. Backed by Noria Corporation’s expertise and legendary customer service, we’re excited to help your reliability program succeed.

LubePM 1328 E. 43rd Court, Tulsa, OK 74105 800-597-5460 | LubePM.com

As a Lubrication Management System (LMS) engineered by lubrication professionals, LubePM helps an organization create accountability to ensure that every lubrication point is carefully maintained, inspected and measured. Ready to take your facility’s Lubrication Management System to the next level with LubePM? We’re ready to help. Simply request more information or schedule a demo.