What is the primary purpose of a predictive maintenance program based on oil analysis of rotating equipment?

The primary purpose of a predictive maintenance program based on oil analysis of rotating equipment is to detect early signs of wear, contamination, or degradation within the equipment, allowing for proactive maintenance actions to prevent catastrophic failures and extend equipment lifespan. Oil analysis involves taking regular samples of lubricating oil from equipment such as pumps, motors, and chillers and analyzing them for various parameters, including viscosity, acidity, water content, particle count, and the presence of wear metals. Changes in these parameters can indicate developing problems, such as bearing wear, gear damage, or lubricant breakdown. By identifying these issues early, maintenance personnel can schedule repairs or replacements before a major failure occurs, reducing downtime, minimizing repair costs, and improving equipment reliability. For instance, an increase in iron particles in the oil might indicate bearing wear, prompting a bearing replacement before it leads to a motor failure. Oil analysis helps transition from reactive maintenance (fixing failures after they occur) to proactive maintenance (preventing failures before they occur), optimizing maintenance resources and improving overall equipment performance.