Lubricant storage and handling

Introduction

Proper lubricant handling and storage is important because it helps to ensure the quality and performance of the lubricant, and helps to prevent contamination or degradation of the lubricant. This can help to prolong the life of the lubricant, and can help to reduce maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, proper lubricant handling and storage can help to minimize the risk of spills or leaks, which can be both environmentally damaging and costly to clean up. Overall, proper lubricant handling and storage is an important aspect of good maintenance practices that can help to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of equipment.

Lubricant handling

Proper lubricant drum handling involves a number of steps to ensure the safety, quality, and integrity of the lubricant. Some key steps to proper lubricant drum handling include:

• Using the correct equipment: Lubricant drums should be handled using appropriate drum handling equipment, such as drum dollies, cradles, or hand trucks.
• Inspecting the drum: Before handling the drum, inspect it for damage or leaks. Do not use a damaged drum, as it could pose a safety risk or could lead to contamination of the lubricant.
• Storing the drum properly: Lubricant drums should be stored in a clean, dry area, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. They should also be stored in an upright position to prevent leakage.
• Using the proper pouring technique: When pouring lubricant from the drum, use a funnel or a pouring spout to prevent spills. Also, use a clean, dry container to hold the lubricant.
• Proper labeling and identification: Drums should be properly labeled, identifying contents, and the date of filling, and the storage location
• Disposing of drums properly: When a drum is empty, it should be properly cleaned and then disposed of in accordance with any applicable regulations.

Overall, proper lubricant drum handling is critical to maintaining the quality and performance of the lubricant, and can help to reduce the risk of spills or leaks.

Lubricant storage

Proper lubricant storage is essential for maintaining the quality and performance of the lubricant, and for preventing contamination or degradation of the lubricant. Some key considerations for lubricant storage include:

• Temperature: Lubricants should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause the lubricant to degrade or become thick, which can reduce its effectiveness.
• Contamination: Lubricants should be stored in clean, dry containers, and should be protected from dust, debris, and other contaminants. Contamination can cause the lubricant to lose its lubricating properties, and can lead to equipment damage.
• Shelf life: Lubricants have a limited shelf life, and should be used before they expire. Lubricants that have passed their expiration date should be discarded, as they may have lost their effectiveness.
• Compatibility: Lubricants should be stored separately from incompatible lubricants, as mixing lubricants can cause chemical reactions that can degrade the lubricant.
• Labeling and identification: Lubricants should be properly labeled and identified, indicating the type of lubricant, the date of filling, the storage location, and any other relevant information.
• Fire safety: Lubricants can be flammable, so it is essential that they are stored in a safe location, away from any potential fire hazards.

Overall, proper lubricant storage is crucial for maintaining the quality and performance of the lubricant, and for reducing the risk of contamination or degradation of the lubricant.

Common issues observed during outdoor storage of oil barrels

Breathing of oil drums

• Rain water get accumulated at top of the oil drums when stored vertically. This rain water gets mixed with surrounding dirt and dust converting it into contaminated water.
• During daytime, the oil in the drums gets heated up due to sunlight and expands and expels out airspace inside the drum.
• During night time, the drop in temperature or cold breeze will make the oil in the drums cool down and contact (reduction in volume) and cause a strong suction effect due to which there is inhalation of water, moist air, dirt and dust into the oil.
• This contaminated water mixes with oil and sits at the bottom of the oil drum. This phenomenon can happen even if the drum is sealed or have never been opened.

Rusting of oil drums

Be used to keep them clear of the ground and to prevent rusting of the undersides. In every case, barrels should be stored off the ground on still ages or in racks ,well clear of surface water . They should never be stocked directly on surface containing clinker, which is particularly corrosive to metal . The drums at each end of a stack must be securely wedged to prevent movement. Regular inspection should be carried out with a view to the detection of leaks and to make sure that Identification markings remain clear and legible.

 

Precautions for outdoor storage of oil barrels

• Oil drums when stored outdoors, should be kept inside covered/sheltered storage racks, or outdoor storage cabinets in order to avoid the ingress of water or pollutants.
• Oil drums should always be stored on their sides and bungs approximately horizontal (3 ‘o’ clock or 9 ‘o’ clock position). In this position, the bungs are will always be in contact with oil and cannot breathe moisture and water cannot collect inside.
• In case there is difficulty in horizontal storage of oil drums, store the drums vertically but in a tilted position using a blocks, with the bungs parallel to the blocks so that water doesn’t come in contact with bung opening.
• Always follow first-in/first-out inventory system which means using the lubricating grease that was put into the storage system first.

New oil is not clean oil

There are numerous reasons why new lubricants are dirty or off-​specification. Contaminated drums or containers, cross-contamination of bulk loads and container mislabeling are just a few.

Kidney loop filtration is a process used in the refining of oil to remove impurities. A kidney loop system contains a motor, a pump and a filter to form an independent filtration unit. In this process, a loop of pipe is filled with a filter medium, such as a bed of sand or a mesh screen. The new oil is pumped through the loop, and impurities such as water, sediment, and other contaminants are removed as the oil passes through the filter medium. This process is applied to new oil barrel to remove impurities and increase the oil’s quality.

Dispensing of oil from barrel/drum

• Use different dispensing equipment/containers for different grades of lubricants to prevent contamination.
• Always take out just the required quantity of lubricants for replenishing/top up in the bearings.
• For dispensing greases from barrels, use a steel spatula to remove grease layer by layer, do not create a well like structure so that the oil oozes in the vertex.

Colour coding of barrels

The barrels and containers can be colour coded by giving particular colour identifying the grade and its usage for better identification by working staff. Ideally, the concept of colour coding is to allow field personnel to easily identify and associate particular lubricants with their applications. However, like most things in reliability, this can be customized to suit your organization. There are no hard and fast rules of using only yellow to represent hydraulic oils.

Shelf life of lubricants

• The word shelf life for lubricant/greases is a misnomer (misleading) as lubricant/greases being complex mixture of base oils and additives do not deteriorate on its own if stored under ideal conditions, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• The shelf life of lubricant/ greases depends upon various factors like composition, storage condition, ingress of moisture, dust, contamination etc. However efforts should be made not to store excess quantity.
• Efforts should be made for proper inventory control and use the lubricant/greases within few months preferably within 6 to 12 months. While placing purchase orders on the manufacturers, staggered supply of lubricants can be asked for.
• Lubricant/greases can be retested if for some reasons need longer storage. Retesting frequency of one year is recommended which can be done at user end.
• Experience shows that lubricant/greases when stored properly do not deteriorate even after period of 5 years.

References

Lubrication management catalog

Lubricant storage & handling basics

Storage and handling of lubricants

Lubricant Storage, Stability, and Estimated Shelf Life