Oil Analyses

What Is Oil Analysis?

Oil is a critical component in machinery and equipment, and its condition directly affects performance, lifespan, and maintenance costs. With our oil analyses, you gain detailed insight into the condition of your oil, enabling early detection of problems and helping you avoid downtime.

Nolab offers comprehensive oil analyses for a range of industries, including offshore, maritime, industrial, and transport sectors. Our analyses answer important questions such as:

• Does the oil contain harmful particles or contaminants?
• Are the oil’s lubricating properties still intact?
• Are there signs of wear in machine components?
• When should the oil be changed to avoid equipment damage?

What Can You Expect from Our Analyses?

Our laboratory uses advanced testing methods to provide you with precise results and clear recommendations. We analyze, among other things:

• Metal content and wear particles
• Viscosity and oxidation
• Water and fuel content
• Additives and oil degradation

With regular oil analyses from Nolab, you can plan maintenance based on actual data, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and achieve more cost-effective operations.

How an Oil Analysis Is Performed

An oil sample is easily taken by you as the customer using our sampling equipment. The sample is collected in a disposable plastic bottle to prevent external contamination.

When the sample arrives at our laboratory, it is immediately registered and prepared for analysis. It then undergoes various mechanical processes depending on which parameters are to be analyzed. Our staff monitors the process, and in case of deviations or serious findings, we immediately contact the customer.

Once the sample has been analyzed, the customer receives an analysis report. In addition to the latest sample results, the report includes historical data from previous samples of the same component, allowing for the tracking of component development over time.

The analysis report is sent by email and all data is securely stored with us. Larger customers may, upon request, receive a username and password for our online service, giving easy access to all owned units.

How to Take an Oil Sample

To obtain an accurate picture of the oil’s properties, contamination levels, and quality, the sample must be representative of the total lubricant volume. It is therefore crucial to follow correct sampling procedures and be aware of potential sources of error. This is achieved by taking the following precautions:

• Take the sample (if possible) at normal operating temperature.
• Clean the sampling point.
• Use clean sampling equipment.
• Always take the sample from the same point in the system.
• Drain approximately ½ liter of oil before taking the sample if a dipstick hole cannot be used.
• Refill the system with the amount of oil drained.
• Label and submit the sample.

If possible, take an oil sample while the machine is at normal operating temperature, or immediately after shutdown. Warm oil provides a more representative sample. Cleaning the sampling point is very important, and only clean sampling equipment should be used to avoid contamination. Sampling equipment can be supplied by the laboratory.

Before sampling, drain at least ½ liter of oil. Leave the sampling valve open between draining and sampling. Fill the sample bottle without interrupting the oil flow. When sampling from a tank, take the sample at mid-level. Hoses should be replaced between each sample. Refill the system with the same amount of oil that was drained.

Use sample bottles and labels from Nolab. Label the sample with:

• Name and sampling point
• Machine data
• Type of lubricant
• Lubricant volume in the system
• Lubricant running hours and any quantity topped up since the last sample
• Sampling date

We supply everything you need for sampling and shipping. Contact us if you have any questions.