Particle Counting Methods Explained by Eurofins TestOIl

According to experts like Eurofins TestOil, particle counting is one of the most important tests for used oil analysis. Many problems can be quickly and easily identified by monitoring the number and size-distribution of particles in an oil sample. The ISO Code is the most common unit of reporting the number of particles found in a sample.

There are a few test methods that can be used to determine the particle count in a sample.

Using the flow decay method, a sample of oil is passed oil through a calibrated screen that acts like a filter. As the oil is pushed through the screen more and more, hard particles “clog” the screen preventing the flow of oil. Based on how quickly the screen is clogged, which impacts oil flow, the instrument translates that data into a particle count with an ISO code. The important takeaway from this method is that it only accounts for hard particles such as wear metal and dirt.

On the other hand, the optical particle count instrument as oil flows through a cell within the instrument a laser is shown through the sample. Hard and soft particles alike will impede the laser showing a shadow on the detector. The detector counts the number of shadows and their sizes to give the particle count and ISO code. The important takeaway from this method is that it considers both hard and soft contaminants as particles. Soft contaminants, or particles, include materials such as water, air bubbles, contaminating lubes, and varnish.

More often than not, the optical particle count is higher than the pore blockage because that method counts many additional materials as particles. We feel that both provide good data; however, choosing one method over the other depends on your goals. If your goal is to determine how “dirty” the oil is in the traditional sense (hard particles from wear and dirt) Eurofins TestOil recommends pore blockage. If your goal is to identify all possibilities of ingression (hard and soft particles like those mentioned in the previous paragraph) request the optical particle count method.

We do have other customers that use both methods. Just remember, if you see a significant difference between the results of each method, that can indicate water, air bubbles, varnish, etc. - in addition to typical dirt and wear metal.

For more information on working with Eurofins TestOil for oil analysis programs or training opportunities, fill out the form below; visit https://testoil.com/company/contact-us/; call 216-251-2510; or email sales@testoil.com.

About Eurofins TestOil

With more than 30 years of experience in the oil analysis industry, Eurofins TestOil focuses exclusively on assisting industrial facilities with reducing maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected downtime through oil and fuel analysis program implementation. As industry experts in diagnosing oil-related issues in equipment such as turbines, hydraulics, gearboxes, pumps, compressors and diesel generators, Eurofins TestOil provides customers with same-day turnaround on routine oil analysis testing.  For more information on partnering with Eurofins TestOil on oil analysis programs or training opportunities visit https://testoil.com. Contact: Al Yates 216-251-2510; sales@testoil.com. 

About Eurofins – the global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins is Testing for Life. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience Contract Research services. Eurofins is also a market leader in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

With over 61,000 staff across a network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods. Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.