Engine oil analysis provides insight into the engine’s health and can tell the overall condition as to its likely failure.  Oil analysis results are an early warning system for identifying potential issues before they become a problem.

The knowledge of fuel properties helps in selection of fuel for the right purpose and its efficient use. The following characteristics, determined by laboratory tests, are generally used for assessing the nature and quality of fuels.
The knowledge of fuel properties helps in selection of fuel for the right purpose.

Contaminated fuel can cause significant damage to engines, supply systems, and other technical equipment. The composition, characterization and quality of fuel will be assessed through a comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, it will identify contaminants such as ash, sulphur, and chlorine that can compromise the fuel’s performance.

Agricultural biomass wastes/residues are predominantly crop stalks, leaves, roots, fruit peels and seed/nut shells. These are normally discarded or burned but are in practice a potentially valuable supply of feed-stock material.
It is essential to evaluate their potential use as fuel for which testing is needed.

Diesel is a common fuel used in motor vehicles. Diesel is a distillate fuel oil.

Fuel contamination can cause significant damage to engines, supply systems, and other technical equipment. The composition, characterization and quality of a biofuel sample will be assessed through a comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, it will identify contaminants such as ash, sulphur, and chlorine that can compromise the fuel’s performance.

Coal is a complex natural resource with myriad of uses besides energy source, such as in cement production, carbon fibers and foams, medicines, tars, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and home and commercial heating.
Coal is a fossil fuel because it is formed from the fossils of plants and animals millions of years ago.

Fuel generated from used oil is very much recyclable. It can be re-refined or processed into fuel oil and used effectively in fired heaters and boilers.
Fuel from used oil / waste oil can reduce their carbon footprint, while saving energy and costs.

These are hydrocarbon oils derived from Petroleum or Shale with typically four grades viz. LV, MV1, MV2 and HV based on their viscosities.

Furnace Oil (FO), mainly consists of residues from crude-oil distillation. It is used primarily for steam boilers in power plants, aboard the ships, and in industrial plants.

High Speed Diesel (HSD) is used as a fuel in medium and high-speed compression ignition engines of commercial vehicles, stationary diesel engines, locomotives and also engine driven pumps.
BS-IV grade is the latest grade of HSD used in India.

Light Diesel Oil (LDO) is a blend of distillate fuel with a small proportion of residual fuel and is different from HSD – automobile fuel.
It is primarily recommended for stationary or slow speed diesel engines and as Industrial Fuel.

Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS) is a residual fuel processed from low Sulphur Crude.
LSHS is used for heating, power generation and certain types of industrial process.
Due to its high pour point, it requires handling above ambient temperature, to maintain desired fluidity during storage and handling.

Hydraulic oil is a non-compressible fluid to transfer power across hydraulic machinery and equipment. Also known as hydraulic fluid, hydraulic oil can be synthetic or mineral-based.
Hydraulic system problems are most often caused by contamination of hydraulic oil.
The timely sampling and analysis of hydraulic fluid is essential to making sure that the machinery is operating at peak efficiency and to maximize hydraulic system productivity.

Anti-wear hydraulic oil is a mineral based hydraulic oil and has additives placed into the mixture to extend the lifespan of the oil and provide greater thermal stability.

Mineral-based hydraulic fluid is a non-compressible fluid that is used to transfer power in hydraulic machinery and equipment.
Mineral-based hydraulic oils are derived from crude oil fractions whereas synthetic hydraulic oils are made using chemically produced base fluids.

Phosphate esters (or organophosphates) are used primarily as fire-resistant base stocks in applications such as hydraulic systems, turbines and compressors.

Transformer oil or insulating oil is especially stable at high temperatures and with excellent electrical insulating properties. It is used in oil-filled wet transformers, some types of high-voltage capacitors, fluorescent lamp ballasts, and some types of high-voltage switches and circuit breakers.
Again, the function of the oil in transformers is to cool and insulate. Transformer oils are subject to electrical and mechanical stresses while a transformer is in operation. In addition, there is contamination caused by chemical interactions with windings and other solid insulation, catalyzed by high operating temperature.
The original chemical properties of transformer oil change gradually, rendering it ineffective for its intended purpose after many years. Oil in large transformers and electrical apparatus is periodically tested to make sure it is suitable for further use.

Machine lubrication is a vital process of any mechanical system.
Though reducing friction is a key objective, the other benefits of lubrication are to prevent corrosion, control contamination within systems and cool the frictioning surfaces.
Polytest offers various types of oil analyses such as multiservice engine oil, gear oil and greases.

These lubricants (service designation API-GL-2) are primarily intended for use in enclosed and semi-enclosed worm gears operating under load, temperature and sliding speed for which straight mineral oils are not adequate and EP type oils are not called for.
These are, however, NOT SUITABLE for lubrication of HYPOID gears.

These lubricants are primarily intended for extreme pressure (EP) such as hypoid gear units, universal joints, steering gears, and manual transmission. They are graded as GL4 and GL5.

Turbines are the critical machines for power generation which operate at high speed and are continuously subjected to extreme stress. Steam, Gas, Hydro or wind turbines are widely used in the power industry as prime movers for generators
Proper lubrication plays a critical role in achieving performance and longevity.
Maintenance of such machines is highly demanding given the turbine’s extreme operating conditions and lengthy maintenance periods.
Routine turbine lube oil monitoring and testing provides insight on decay in machine performance thereby averting expensive consequences and unexpected shutdowns.
Here are a few test parameters that indicate the health of the lubrication programme.

Metal working creates contaminants and heat which may harm equipment. Such oils and fluids provide lubricity, cooling, corrosion protection, swarf flushing and surface uniformity.
The contaminants such as bacteria microbes and tramp oil degrade metal working fluid over a period. Therefore, it is important to check quality and condition of such fluids to extend its usefulness for a longer period.

The oil quenching process is a vital heat treatment process of metals. During this process, a piece of metal is rapidly cooled to change its individual properties like toughness, strength, durability, and hardness.
It is necessary to monitor quenching oil regularly in order to detect its degradation directly impacting the metal heat treatment.
The degradation of Quenching fluids is commonly accompanied by sedimentation and sludge formation.

Thermic fluids are used where only heat transfers are desired instead of pressure.
Thermic fluid heating systems transfer heat indirectly to maintain process temperature by circulating a thermal fluid throughout the equipment. The fluid employed must be carefully chosen to maintain system’s processing requirements effectively and efficiently.
Thermal oil, water, and water-glycol solutions are examples of commonly used thermic fluids, each of which offer various advantages and disadvantages depending on the operating temperature and performance requirements of a system.