Contamination Control 4 – Air and Other Gases

Air and gas contamination in lubrication systems can have severe consequences on equipment performance, leading to increased wear, oxidation, foam formation, and even catastrophic failures such as cavitation and microdieseling. While solid and water contamination are commonly addressed in lubrication management, air entrainment and gas-related issues are often overlooked, despite their significant impact on lubricant degradation and machine reliability.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of air and gas contamination in lubrication systems, covering the different types of air present in oil, their sources, the physical behavior of air bubbles, and the detrimental effects on lubrication performance. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how air leads to problems like cavitation and microdieseling, along with strategies for identifying, mitigating, and preventing air-related contamination.

Designed for maintenance professionals, lubrication engineers, and reliability specialists, this course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to optimize lubrication system design, improve air separation, and enhance equipment reliability by minimizing the risks associated with air and gas contamination.

Course Modules:
Contamination Control 04 01 – Types of Air
Understand the different forms of air contamination in lubrication systems, including dissolved air, entrained air, and foam, and how each type affects lubrication performance.

Contamination Control 04 02 – Sources of Air
Identify the common entry points for air in lubrication systems, such as leaks, improper reservoir design, turbulent flow, and pump suction issues.

Contamination Control 04 03 – Physics of Air
Explore the physical properties of air in oil, including bubble formation, coalescence, solubility, and the impact of temperature and pressure on air behavior in lubrication systems.

Contamination Control 04 04 – Effects of Air in Oil
Learn how air contamination degrades oil performance by accelerating oxidation, reducing lubricant film strength, promoting foam formation, and causing erratic system behavior.

Contamination Control 04 05 – Cavitation
Understand the mechanics of cavitation, how collapsing air bubbles cause localized high-pressure shock waves, and the resulting damage to pumps, bearings, and hydraulic components.

Contamination Control 04 06 – Microdieseling
Examine the phenomenon of microdieseling, where air bubbles rapidly compress and ignite under high pressure, leading to localized thermal degradation, soot formation, and lubricant breakdown.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize the different types of air contamination and their impact on lubrication system performance.
• Identify the root causes of air ingress and implement strategies to prevent and mitigate air-related contamination.
• Understand the physical behavior of air in oil and how temperature, pressure, and system design influence air entrainment.
• Learn best practices for preventing cavitation damage in pumps and hydraulic systems.
• Diagnose and mitigate microdieseling effects to prevent lubricant degradation and improve system reliability.

This course is ideal for lubrication professionals, reliability engineers, and maintenance technicians who want to enhance their understanding of air contamination in lubrication systems and implement best practices for mitigating its impact. By mastering air management strategies, participants will improve lubricant performance, extend equipment life, and reduce maintenance costs.