Lubricators Installation & Maintenance Guide

Airline Lubricators Installation & Maintenance

1. Warnings

  • Beware of all dangers associated with equipment under pressure and any potential hazards.
  • Use suitable personal protective and safety equipment.
  • Conduct all maintenance without pressure in the system.

2.  Product Description and Functionality Airline Lubricator Description

Lubricators are designed to inject atomized oil into air that passes through them. The oil is taken from the bowl and then injected into the moving air by a venturi which creates a low pressure section which draws oil up into the air flow from a pickup tube located in the reservoir. The amount of oil introduced into the air as lubrication is adjusted by a turnable knob on the top of the lubricator. Although most modern pneumatic equipment is pre lubricated, lubricators still have added benefits such as reduced friction, improved efficiency, extended plant life and the prevention of corrosion.

3. Installation & Commissioning Airline Lubricator Installation & Commissioning

Airline Lubricators are a reliable and relatively simple piece of instrumentation as long as they are installed and commissioned correctly. The below points should be observed when installing.

  • Make sure all areas and surfaces are as clean as possible
  • Ensure the line is vented of pressure if installing on a live system
  • Ensure that the upstream airline is as clean as possible and no foreign debris is present
  • Check the direction of flow marked on the lubricator to establish the correct inlet and outlet. The unit will not work if the direction of flow is reversed.
  • Thread tape or thread paste will need to be used to ensure a bubble tight seal
  • Ensure the lubricator is upright (the oil reservoir is at the bottom)
  • If using the mounting bracket ensure it has a sufficient installation surface to attach too
  • Make sure the correct lubricating oil is filled in the reservoir
  • Once the installation has occurred and the fittings are tightened gradually bring pressure back to the line
  • Check for any leaks at the inlet, outlet and pressure gauge
  • Adjust the unit to give the desired amount of lubrication

4. Maintenance Airline Lubricator Maintenance

Lubricators should be inspected for proper function as part of routine maintenance. Here they can be visually checked for any leakage, or if the unit has run out of lubrication oill. If necessary the line may need to be isolated and vented of pressure (both upstream and downstream) so the unit can be refilled with oil. Try to ensure no debris is caught in the lubricator as this can cause premature failure of the unit. The maintenance intervals will depend upon the quality of the air used by the system. A visual inspection every 6 months would be a good start and may need to be shortened or lengthened depending on the findings.

5. Troubleshooting Airline Lubricator Troubleshooting

The following troubleshooting table helps the identification of the probable cause of malfunctions and how to solve them.

Problem

Cause

Remedy

External Leakage

Fittings are not tight enough or a thread sealant has no been used

Tighten threads or use a thread sealant

Oil is not injected into the system

No oil in reservoir

Fill up the bowl

Too much Oil introduced

The unit is set too high

Reduce the flow rate of lubrication introduced by rotating the adjustment knob closed (minus on the unit)

Not enough Oil introduced

The unit is set too low

Increase the flow rate of lubrication introduced by rotating the adjustment knob open (plus on the unit)