IFM understands the importance of reliability removing varnish from lubrication systems. We know that when our clients trust us with their turbomachinery that they are placing a strategic component to their production in our hands. That is why we dedicate ample and thoughtful resources to our upfront engineering. Before we set up your varnish removal project, we will have a plan in which we are fully confident and that we have reviewed it with your team.
Lubricant varnish, also known as lacquer, tarnish, tar or sludge is a byproduct of lubricant oxidation and degradation. While varnish typically presents itself as a yellow or brown colored sticky substance, it can manifest in many different colors, textures, and chemical compositions depending on the root cause.
While the above-listed symptoms are good indicators of an existing varnish problem, the technology exists to help analyze the potential of varnish formation. These oil analysis test methods include but are not limited to:
While the cause of varnish is typically the thermal stressing of the oil, other factors such as contamination, additive fallout, and other chemical reactions can cause varnish to form on the internal metal surfaces of hydraulic and lubricating oil systems.
While there are a few different methods of removing varnish from a lube oil or hydraulic system, there are a few different things to consider when deciding on the right tactic. Different methods have been proven to be more successful at removing varnish than others depending on the chemical composition of the varnish, the condition of the oil, and the location of the deposits.
While decreased lubricant life and varnish deposits are some of the most obvious symptoms of varnish, the following represent common problems caused by the presence of varnish in a hydraulic or lubricating oil system:
