Machinery Lubrication July August 2008

CASE STUDY
according to Kubera, “It wasn’t filtered. Oil drums were reused
by the manufacturer and could contain contaminants.”
After
Now, the 55-gallon drums are delivered into the oil room
and the oil is pumped into the containers in the storage and
dispensing system, which is arranged in two rows, one on top
of the other, of 12 containers each (Figure 1). Each of the 24
lightweight 65-gallon capacity aluminized steel containers
holds a different oil, and is clearly labeled with the name and
grade of the product.
The 10 gallons of additional capacity that each container
holds enables all of the product to be pumped out of the 55-
gallon drums and into the system. Each container also has a
Figure 2. Quick-coupling Filter Assembly
sight gauge that clearly shows the level of lubricant in it. This
feature makes inventory control easier and eliminates the
need to have extra product standing by.
“The container system was easy to put up,” Kubera said. “The
dispensing manifold, drip pan, pump, motor and timer came
preassembled and tested from the factory, and we were able to
assemble and install it fairly quickly. It has made pumping
product a lot easier, and it has a nice, clean, orderly appearance.”
No Cross-contamination
A key reason for the installation of the system was to
prevent cross-contamination. A product is filtered as it is
pumped into the numbered containers by the quick-coupling
filter assembly through a corresponding numbered valve
arrangement underneath the containers (Figure 2). This
helps to ensure that the lubricant the technician is getting is
exactly what has been requested.
Drip pans contain all spills. In place of the standard
screened vents, each row of tanks has the vent fittings piped
to a Des-Case desiccant breather installed on the side of the
container system, one per row. This way, whatever contaminants
that may be in the ambient air (especially moisture) are
not drawn into the containers when the oil is discharged. This
ensures that the air entering the containers is always clean.
“Cross-contamination from one type of oil to another is one
of the biggest problems,” Kubera said. “We ensure that no two
different oils from different families ever touch each other.” With
this system in place, the oil is filtered at three microns.
The plant prides itself on the detailed procedures it has in
place to make sure the wrong lubricant is never dispensed.
Electronic Lube Manual
“We created a comprehensive Electronic Lube Manual
(ELM) that ensures procedures are followed down to the last
Figure 3. Container with MSDS Label
Figure 4. Poly Containers
24 July - August 2008 machinerylubrication.com Machinery Lubrication