Challenges in the Industry
The pulp, paper and packaging manufacturing process creates substantial challenges to machine reliability and durability. High quality machine lubrication practices are an essential element required for protection of paper machines, mechanical and electrical drives, and hydraulics systems. The most optimized control of O&M expenditures occurs when a capable workforce is equipped with industry focused insights and work plans for machine lubrication.
MRG Experience
MRG has helped pulp and paper asset owners monitor critical equipment and optimize grease life. Over a 10-year period of testing greases with multiple pulp and paper critical equipment bearings, recommendations for greasing replenishment change result in an average of 25% less grease used.
Test Slate
Historically, the grease analysis test slate for pulp and paper applications has included:
- Ferrous Wear Analysis via FerroQ Analyzer
- Die Extrusion via the Grease Thief Analyzer
- Moisture Analysis
- Antioxidant testing via RULER
- Elemental Analysis
- Grease Optical Transmission via the Grease Thief Colorimeter
- FTIR Analysis
- Analytical Ferrography
HIGH-MAGNIFICATION IMAGES TAKEN OF A DAMAGED PAPER MACHINE ROLL COVER
In The Field Sampling
In the field samples can be taken using the Grease Thief PocketLab, which includes the FerroQ Analyzer, GTA-Mini to evaluate consistency and create uniform thin-film coupons for inspection or testing, and Grease Thief Colorimetry to identify color changes. These field or onsite lab instruments can be used to identify outlier samples from critical pulp and paper bearings and when necessary, they can be sent out to a full lab for further grease analysis.
PocketLab Advantages:
- Remote or site location
- Representative in-service grease samples taken per ASTM D7918 are easily introduced to the PocketLab with no additional handling required.
- Only flagged samples need to be sent to an outside lab for further analysis
