FAQs – EPT Clean Oil https://cleanoil.com Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:14:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://cleanoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/favicon.png FAQs – EPT Clean Oil https://cleanoil.com 32 32 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #8 – Antioxidant Testing (LSV) 101 https://cleanoil.com/antioxidant-testing-lsv-101/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8909 Antioxidant Testing web banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Antioxidant Testing web banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™, our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #8: Antioxidant Testing (LSV)

What is Antioxidant Testing (LSV)?

Antioxidant testing is an oil analysis method used to measure the remaining protective additives in a lubricant. The most common technique, Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) testing, measures key antioxidants such as amine and phenol compounds that protect oil from oxidation. Results are compared to new oil to show how much antioxidant protection remains.


Did you know? Understanding how much oxidation resistance remains in your lubricant is critical and provides insight into the overall condition of your lubricant. This is determined through the LSV test method.

Why is Antioxidant Testing (LSV) important?

Lubricants degrade over time as their additives are gradually used up. Antioxidants act as a protective defence, reacting with oxygen to prevent the base oil from breaking down. As these antioxidants are depleted, the oil becomes more vulnerable to oxidation, sludge, and varnish formation. Monitoring antioxidant levels through routine oil analysis helps maintenance teams determine how much protection remains and identify when the lubricant is nearing the end of its service life, allowing action to be taken before equipment problems occur.

How does Antioxidant Testing (LSV) work?

During LSV testing, a small oil sample is analyzed using an electrochemical instrument equipped with electrodes. The test applies a controlled voltage sweep to the sample, which causes antioxidant molecules to react at specific points during the process. By measuring the electrical response, the instrument can determine the concentration of the remaining amine and phenol antioxidants.

Results are reported as a percentage of the original antioxidant levels compared with a new oil sample of the same type and brand. Because the test is comparative, using the correct baseline sample is critical to ensure accurate interpretation.

Individual LSV results can vary slightly, typically within about 13–26% for the same sample. For this reason, results are most valuable when trended over time rather than evaluated as a single data point.

When antioxidant levels consistently fall below approximately 25% of their original value, the lubricant has typically reached the end of its effective life, and corrective action should be considered. By monitoring antioxidant depletion, maintenance teams gain a clearer understanding of lubricant health and can keep equipment operating reliably, efficiently, and protected for longer.

Learn more about Antioxidant Testing (LSV).

LSV image

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced Antioxidant Testing (LSV) is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Antioxidant Testing (LSV) 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #7 – Dissolved Metals Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/dissolved-metals-testing-101/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:02:43 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8878 Dissolved metals testing 101 banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Dissolved metals testing 101 banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #7: Dissolved Metals Testing

What is Dissolved Metals Testing (ICP-OES)?

Dissolved metals testing is a laboratory method used in oil analysis to measure trace metallic elements in a lubricant. It uses ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy), an advanced technique that detects metals at extremely small concentrations, typically reported in parts per million (ppm).


Did you know? The sample is exposed to high-temperature plasma, which ionizes the fluid at an extreme temperature and breaks it down to individual atoms. This allows the instrument to identify and measure the 20 metals associated with the detection of wear, additives, and contamination.

Why is Dissolved Metals Testing important?

Lubricants naturally change color as they age. New oils typically appear light and bright, but as they operate in service, oxidation, thermal stress, and contamination cause them to darken.

While darkening alone does not always mean the oil has failed, significant color changes can indicate degradation, contamination, or additive depletion. Monitoring oil color helps identify shifts in lubricant condition early, supporting proactive maintenance decisions and protecting critical equipment.

Because visual observation is subjective, standardized testing ensures results are objective, comparable, and trendable over time.

How does Dissolved Metals Testing work?

In the laboratory, a small oil sample is introduced into the ICP-OES instrument, where it is converted into a fine aerosol and injected into a plasma torch operating at extremely high temperatures. The intense heat excites the atoms in the sample, causing each element to emit light at a specific wavelength.

The instrument measures the intensity of this light to determine the concentration of each element present. Results are reported in parts per million (ppm) and typically include a panel of metals related to wear, additives, and contaminants.

By trending these results over time and comparing them with baseline values, analysts and maintenance teams can identify patterns that may indicate developing equipment wear, additive depletion, contamination, or lubricant mix-ups. This insight allows operators to take action early keeping equipment reliable, efficient, and performing at its best.

Learn more about Dissolved Metals Testing.

Dissolved Metals Testing Image

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced Dissolved Metals Testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Dissolved Metals Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #6 – Oil Color Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/oil-color-testing-101/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8853 Oil color testing banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Oil color testing banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #6: Oil Color Testing

What is Oil Color Testing?

Oil Color testing is a laboratory method used to evaluate the appearance of a lubricant and assign it a standardized color rating. Using the ASTM D1500 scale, oil color is measured on a range from 0.5 (very light) to 8.0 (very dark), providing a consistent and repeatable way to assess changes in oil condition.


Did you know? Oil Color testing measures a lubricant’s appearance using the ASTM D1500 scale — ranging from 0.5 (very light) to 8.0 (very dark) — to provide a standardized indicator of oil condition.

Why is Oil Color testing important?

Lubricants naturally change color as they age. New oils typically appear light and bright, but as they operate in service, oxidation, thermal stress, and contamination cause them to darken.

While darkening alone does not always mean the oil has failed, significant color changes can indicate degradation, contamination, or additive depletion. Monitoring oil color helps identify shifts in lubricant condition early, supporting proactive maintenance decisions and protecting critical equipment.

Because visual observation is subjective, standardized testing ensures results are objective, comparable, and trendable over time.

How does Oil Color testing work?

Just as a referee assigns a score in a game, ASTM D1500 assigns a numerical value to oil color. In the laboratory, a sample is compared against standardized color references under controlled lighting conditions. The oil is then assigned a rating between 0.5 and 8.0.

Lower numbers indicate lighter oil, while higher numbers indicate darker oil. In this game, like golf, a lower score is generally better.

By trending ASTM D1500 results over time and comparing them to baseline values, maintenance teams can detect abnormal changes that may signal oxidation, overheating, or contamination. This insight helps ensure equipment remains reliable, efficient, and ready to perform.
Keep it light. Keep it bright.

Learn more about Oil Color testing.

Oil color testing body copy

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including Oil Color testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Oil Color Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #5 – Viscosity Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/viscosity-testing-101/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:25:09 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8808 Viscosity testing banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Viscosity testing banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #5: Viscosity Testing

What is Viscosity Testing?

Viscosity testing is a laboratory method used to measure an oil’s resistance to flow at a specific temperature. It indicates how thick or thin the oil is and whether it can maintain a proper lubricating film between moving components.


Did you know? Viscosity testing measures how easily an oil flows at a set temperature and whether it can properly lubricate moving parts.

Why is Viscosity testing important?

Viscosity is one of the most critical properties of a lubricant. If oil becomes too thick, it can restrict flow, increase energy consumption, and reduce cooling efficiency. If it becomes too thin, it may not provide adequate film strength, leading to increased metal-to-metal contact and accelerated wear.

Viscosity testing matters because changes in viscosity often signal oil degradation, contamination, or incorrect oil selection, allowing issues to be identified before equipment performance is compromised.

How does Viscosity testing work?

Similar to how honey flows more slowly than water, oil viscosity determines how easily it moves through a system.

Viscosity testing measures the time it takes for a specific volume of oil to flow through a calibrated instrument at a controlled temperature. Results are typically reported in centistokes (cSt) at standard temperatures such as 40°C or 100°C, providing a consistent and repeatable measure of oil thickness.

By trending viscosity results over time, changes in oil condition can be monitored and compared against baseline values or OEM specifications. Significant increases or decreases in viscosity can indicate oxidation, thermal stress, contamination, or additive depletion, helping determine when corrective action or oil replacement is required.

Learn more about Viscosity Testing.

Viscosity testing content image

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including Viscosity testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Viscosity Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #4 – Acid Number Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/acid-number-testing-101/ Thu, 28 May 2026 15:59:16 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8762 Acid Number Testing banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Acid Number Testing banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #4: Acid Number Testing

What is Acid Number Testing?

Acid Number (AN) testing is used to measure the level of acidic compounds present in an oil sample. It indicates the degree of oil degradation by quantifying the amount of acid formed as the oil oxidizes over time.


Did you know? Acid Number testing measures oil degradation by identifying acidic compounds formed during oxidation.

Why is Acid Number testing important?

As oil ages, exposure to heat, air, and contaminants causes it to oxidize and form acids. Elevated acid levels can lead to corrosion of metal surfaces, accelerated wear, additive depletion, and sludge or varnish formation. Acid Number testing matters because it provides an early warning that oil is breaking down, allowing corrective action before equipment performance is affected or damage occurs.

How does Acid Number testing work?

As with food, oil spoils faster when exposed to heat and air. Acid Number testing measures the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to neutralize the acidic components in an oil sample. The result is reported as mg KOH per gram of oil, providing a clear and repeatable indicator of oil condition.

By trending Acid Number results over time, changes in oil chemistry can be monitored and compared against baseline values or OEM limits. A rising Acid Number signals increasing oxidation and degradation, helping determine when oil maintenance, filtration improvements, or oil replacement may be required.

Learn more about Acid Number Testing.

Titration Lab Equipment

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including Acid Number testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Acid Number Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #3 – Karl Fischer Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/karl-fischer-testing-101/ Wed, 13 May 2026 20:14:35 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8732 Karl Fischer Testing 1018 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> Karl Fischer Testing 101


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #3: Karl Fischer Testing

What is Karl Fischer Testing?

Karl Fischer testing is used to measure the exact amount of water present in an oil sample. It is the most accurate way to detect moisture contamination in lubricants and hydraulic fluids, even at very low levels.


Did you know? Karl Fischer testing (ASTM D6304) measures precise moisture levels in oil samples, even at parts-per-million levels.

Why is Karl Fischer testing important?

Water is one of the most damaging contaminants in oil. Even small amounts can reduce the effectiveness of lubrication, promote corrosion, accelerate oxidation, and degrade additives. Excess moisture can also lead to sludge formation, foaming, and loss of load-carrying capacity. Karl Fischer testing matters because it provides early detection of moisture before visible symptoms or equipment damage occur, helping prevent premature wear, component failure, and unplanned downtime.

How does Karl Fischer testing work?

Just like humidity in the air can quietly damage a home over time, water in oil often causes harm long before it’s visible. Karl Fischer testing determines the moisture content of oil through a precise chemical reaction between water and Karl Fischer reagents.

The amount of reagent consumed during the reaction directly corresponds to the amount of water in the oil sample.
Unlike crackle tests or visual inspections, Karl Fischer testing measures actual water content, not just the presence of free water. Results are typically reported in parts per million (ppm), enabling accurate trending and comparison with equipment or OEM limits.

This high level of precision makes Karl Fischer testing especially valuable for systems with tight tolerances, sensitive components, or applications where even trace moisture can significantly impact performance and reliability.

Karl Fischer titration lab image

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including Karl Fischer testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your oil tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

Karl Fischer Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →

]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #2 – ISO Particle Count Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/iso-particle-count-testing-101/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:18:18 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8687 ISO Particle Count Testing Hero Banner8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> ISO Particle Count Testing Hero Banner


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #2: ISO Particle Count Testing

What is ISO Particle Count?

ISO Particle Count is the process of measuring the number of particles of specific sizes within an oil sample. It is used to assess the cleanliness of an oil or hydraulic fluid by quantifying solid contaminants.


Did you know? The ISO 4406 standard is the key to understanding the three-number particle count reported by ISO Particle Count testing. This test doesn’t just tally up the number of insoluble contaminants in your fluid. It goes a step further and breaks down the relative number and size of these friction-promoting players. By understanding the makeup of your oil’s particles, you can gain important insights into the performance of your filtration systems.

Why is ISO Particle Count testing important?

The ISO Particle Count test matters because solid contaminants interfere with the oil’s lubricating film, accelerating wear on critical components such as pumps, valves, bearings, and gears. High particle counts often indicate poor filtration performance or underlying system issues, making particle counting a key tool for evaluating whether a filtration system is effectively protecting equipment. Contaminants such as dirt, grit, and wear debris reduce lubrication efficiency and can ultimately lead to accelerated wear, component damage, or failure.

How does ISO Particle Count testing work?

Like how a home gets dirtier faster with more kids, oil cleanliness is determined by multiplying the number of particles in the fluid using the ISO cleanliness code. An ISO particle count measures both the quantity and size of solid contaminants in an oil sample. Rather than reporting a single value, it provides a three-number cleanliness code based on the ISO 4406 standard, such as ISO 18/16/13. Each number represents the number of particles per milliliter of oil above a specific size threshold.

What do the three numbers represent in the ISO 4406 three-number cleanliness code?

The first number corresponds to the number of particles per millilitre larger than 4 microns. The second number indicates the number of particles per millilitre greater than 6 microns. And finally, the third number shows you how many particles larger than 14 microns are present. One important thing to keep in mind about these particle counts, the ISO 4406 scale is exponential. So each increase of one code represents a doubling of the number of particles present. If you want to seal your maintenance victories, make sure that you’re keeping your ISO particle counts below the relevant limits for your application.

ISO Particle Count Testing

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including ISO Particle Count Testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your ISO Particle Count tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

ISO Particle Count Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

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Lubricant Chemistry Management

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ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

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In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →
]]> 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory: Key #1 – MPC Testing 101 https://cleanoil.com/mpc-varnish-potential-testing-101/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:58:46 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=8669 MPC Testing8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing.]]> MPC Testing


8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory

In power plants and other critical operations, oil condition is one of the most significant contributors to turbine reliability, yet it’s often overlooked until alarms start ringing. By the time warning signs appear, the real problem has often been developing quietly for months or even years.

The truth is simple: lubricants rarely fail suddenly. They typically fail after prolonged neglect.

Early in a lubricant’s life, few visible problems appear, making it easy to ignore the gradual chemical changes happening inside the system. Over time, however, unmanaged degradation begins to surface:

  • Rising MPC varnish potential
  • Additive depletion
  • Accumulation of oxidation byproducts that deposit on equipment surfaces

At EPT Clean Oil™ our goal is simple: to teach the world a better way through Lubricant Chemistry Management. Because success in lubrication reliability doesn’t come from a single test or a single insight. It comes from understanding the lubricant’s chemistry and managing it strategically over time. That’s why we developed The 8 Keys to Oil Analysis Victory.

These eight tests form the foundation of a winning lubricant management strategy. Think of them as the core plays in your reliability playbook and the insights that allow your team to:

  • Understand where your lubricant is strongest
  • Identify weaknesses before they become failures
  • Make informed adjustments before equipment performance is impacted

Key #1: MPC Testing


Did you know? The #1 cause of lubricant-related downtime: varnish. That is why MPC varnish potential testing should be number 1 for every team’s playbook for success! It reveals what other tests can’t, giving you early warning of problems before they happen, like having the other team’s playbook before the game even starts.

What is MPC testing?

MPC is a varnish-potential test that captures insoluble contaminants on a filter patch and measures its color to trend oxidation byproducts, helping prevent varnish-related failures in turbines, compressors, and hydraulic systems. Essential for gas turbines and critical rotating equipment, finding the contaminants that standard tests miss. MPC helps reveal “what’s coming” before deposits form, making it a predictive test rather than a reactive one.

Why does it matter?

Catch the “invisible” enemy. Varnish stays dissolved and invisible for a long time. Standard visual checks often look perfect even when a system is at risk. By the time you see deposits, the damage is already done. MPC is predictive, not reactive. It reveals what’s coming before it sticks to your bearings and valves.

How does MPC Testing work?

The science behind the stain:
Incubation: The oil is heated and “rested” to force varnish precursors out of solution.
Filtration: Oil is pulled through a 0.45-micron membrane patch.
Measurement: A colorimeter analyzes the patch to find the Delta (Δ) E value.

How to read MPC test results?

The patch is measured with a colorimeter, producing a ΔE value.
The lower ΔE = cleaner patch = lower varnish potential
The higher ΔE = darker/more stained patch = higher varnish potential and higher deposit risk

MPC Varnish Potential Testing

Stop Guessing, Start Trending

Our Fluid Technical Center team takes the routine out of oil analysis, providing a complete picture of your fluid condition to ASTM standards. Testing packages are designed for each application and performed by professional chemists, delivering accurate, actionable results.

Data is reviewed and interpreted by application specialists and PhD chemists to provide a comprehensive overview of your samples and deeper insight into root cause. As part of our ACE™ assessment, advanced testing including MPC Testing is performed to provide deeper insight into varnish potential and overall fluid health, empowering you to make data-informed decisions about your critical assets.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Ready to get your MPC tested?

Submit an Oil Sample  |  Request an ACE™ Assessment  |  Contact Us

MPC Testing 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →
]]> Aeroderivative Turbine Oil Maintenance 101 https://cleanoil.com/aeroderivative-turbine-oil-maintenance-101/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:13:29 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=5546 aeroderivative turbine oilJet lube applications exclusively utilize aeroderivative turbine oil, formulated using high-quality polyol ester base stocks. This oil is preferred due to its exceptional oxidative stability and unique viscosity requirements. Upon deployment, aeroderivative turbine]]> aeroderivative turbine oil

Jet lube applications exclusively utilize aeroderivative turbine oil, formulated using high-quality polyol ester base stocks. This oil is preferred due to its exceptional oxidative stability and unique viscosity requirements.

Upon deployment, aeroderivative turbine oil’s begin to degrade from the very first day, primarily due to oxidation and hydrolysis. These processes generate dissolved degradation products due to high temperatures, water content, and entrained oxygen. Once the lubricant becomes saturated with these dissolved breakdown products, it forms varnish and coking deposits.

Coking and varnishing pose challenges for aeroderivative turbines, leading to production losses and mechanical overhauls. Coke, initially a dissolved oil oxidation by-product, solidifies and deposits on metal surfaces. Conventional approaches fail to address the root cause.

To combat these issues, SVR® backed by patented ion-exchange ICB® JET, offers a continuous solution by removing acids, varnish, oil-coking precursors, and dissolved contaminants. By breaking the accumulation cycle and addressing the root cause of deposit formation and equipment failure, SVR and ICB JET prevent the harmful effects of oxidation products. SVR and ICB JET reduce acid number and varnish potential, ensuring jet lubes are not condemned due to normal breakdown.

By combining SVR and ICB with oxygen and water elimination utilizing our TMR® N2 water removal system, our Lubricant Chemistry Management solutions offer a significant advancement in jet lube maintenance. It enables aeroderivative turbine users to maintain polyol ester lubricants in optimal operating conditions, free from oil breakdown products.

What is an industrial aeroderivative turbine?

Industrial aeroderivative turbines are based on aircraft engines and are generally smaller and a lighter weight variation of heavy-duty industrial gas turbines.

What are the advantages of industrial aeroderivative turbines?

Industrial aeroderivative turbines are more efficient (ie: they produce more power per unit of fuel consumed), and they respond faster than their heavy-duty industrial analogs.  This makes them well-suited to support renewables in a peaking capacity.

What are aeroderivative turbine oil‘s?

Aeroderivative turbine oil’s are a polyol ester-based fluid developed to operate at higher temperatures in aeroderivative gas turbine engines.

Why are aeroderivative turbine oil‘s condemned?

Aeroderivative turbine oil’s are condemned due to chemical breakdown as determined by evaluating their acid numbers and remaining antioxidant additive levels.

What are the condemning limits of aeroderivative turbine oil‘s?

The most common condemning limit for aeroderivative turbine oil’s is AN ≥ 2.0 mg KOH/g but some fluid suppliers recommend condemning the oils when they exceed the AN ≥ 0.33 – 0.43 mg KOH/g range.

What byproducts are produced when an aeroderivative turbine oil breaks down?

Like other ester-based lubricants, acids are the most common oil breakdown products produced when aeroderivative turbine oil’s are degraded.  These acids are; however, varnish precursors, and they can produce insoluble varnish and coke deposits that deleteriously impact GT performance and reliability.

Is the current approach to aeroderivative turbine oil maintenance outdated?

Yes. Most current aeroderivative turbine oil maintenance programs focus on particle filtration, which is not the basis for condemning these fluids. Typical aeroderivative turbine oil analysis testing also misses key tests and doesn’t properly measure the most common cause of failures in this application. Finally, most jet lube maintenance programs do not consider sustainability and treat the oil like a consumable which is used for a short period and then disposed of.

What is the impact of high acid levels on aeroderivative turbine oil’s?

High acid numbers correlate with varnish potentials and an oil’s propensity to coke.  Coking is a common failure mechanism that impacts aeroderivative turbines, leading to production losses and often requiring costly repairs. Existing oil analysis and maintenance programs do not address this contamination leading to poor equipment reliability and shortened oil lifetimes.

What are the right tests to run for your aeroderivative turbine oil’s?

Oil analysis is a key part of maintenance programs, and its value depends on the right tests being run and then understanding and acting on the obtained results. Many users outsource testing, and generic test packages often miss the mark regarding the specific testing required for aeroderivative turbine oil’s.  Notably, most jet lube users do not monitor their fluid’s MPC varnish potential, which provides a valuable indication of oil breakdown and coking propensity.

aeroderivative turbine oil

How can I prevent failure and extend the life of my aeroderivative turbine oil?

Installing an EPT Clean Oil™ SVR JET conditioning skid protects your aeroderiviative turbine with a bulletproof vest. Engineered to remove acids, varnish, coking precursors, particulate and water, SVR JET uses patented ICB® ion-exchange technology so that jet lubes no longer must be condemned and replaced. SVR JET combines ICB ion-exchange with our TMR® N2 Water Removal System, eliminating atmospheric water ingression, dissolved oxygen is removed and surface contact with oxygen in the lube oil tank is prevented, mitigating the risk of oxidation.

Aeroderivative Turbine Oil Maintenance 101 Resources

You can’t manage what you’re blind to

View Post

Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ACE™ Oil Analysis

Visit

MPC Varnish Testing: It’s not Just About the Number

Watch Webinar

See It! Say It! Solve It! Volume #3 – High Acid Number

Watch Now

In The Middle Episode 72: What’s a blind spot in our industry in terms of lubricant breakdown?

Watch Now

You Might Be Interested In

ICB® JET

FOR AERODERIVATIVE TURBINE OIL

ICB® JET removes acids, oil coking precursors and dissolved by-products, continuously breaking the accumulation cycle and eliminating the root cause of deposit formation.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →
SVR™

SVR®

LUBRICANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM

SVR® utilizes patented ICB® ion-exchange filters to permanently remove dissolved breakdown products and prevent harmful varnish deposits from forming.

Learn More →
]]> SVR™ Hero Animation 2022 A nonadult Eliminating Particulate Contamination from Industrial Lubricants 101 https://cleanoil.com/eliminating-particulate-contamination-101/ Thu, 22 Dec 2022 18:23:52 +0000 https://cleanoil.com/?p=5043 Eliminating Particulate Contamination from Industrial Lubricants 101The most common physical contaminant in lubricants is particulate contamination. Significantly impacting lubricant reliability, particulate contamination impairs the ability to lubricate, leading to wear, failure and plugging.   There are two basic categories of]]> Eliminating Particulate Contamination from Industrial Lubricants 101

The most common physical contaminant in lubricants is particulate contamination. Significantly impacting lubricant reliability, particulate contamination impairs the ability to lubricate, leading to wear, failure and plugging.  

There are two basic categories of particulate contamination: > 4-micron particulate, measured by ISO 4406, and < 4-micron particulate, which is not measured. Within hydraulic lubricants, the limit is 16/14/11, and in lube oils, it is 17/15/12.  

Within EHC systems, our investigations have shown that up to 90% of total particulate contamination is below 4 microns and, therefore, not reported in ISO 4406 particle code testing. This particulate contamination also cannot be removed by standard mechanical filters. Fine particulate contaminants pass through these filtration systems, impacting fluid life and component wear. 

At EPT Clean Oil, we have designed Lubricant Chemistry Management solutions that target and eliminate particulate contamination, extending the lifecycle of lubricants and mitigating critical asset failures. Our targeted solutions include the following:

ECR® Particulate Removal

ECR is an electrostatic system that combines high-voltage electrostatic fields with a proprietary collector element to remove particles below the range of mechanical filters.  Hyper-focused on sub-micron particulate contamination, ECR removes particulates below the range of mechanical filters. The result – improved fluid color and drastically reduced solid contamination levels.

ICB® ion-exchange filter

ICB is manufactured with one goal: to remove the dissolved molecules that accumulate and cause mechanical problems in hydraulic systems and lube oil applications. These filters are engineered workhorses based on patented ion exchange technology, combining best-in-class chemistry and materials with precision robotic welding to provide the most robust filter available. 

ICB is chemically engineered to remove a wide range of contamination, including acid, varnish, and metals. In EHC systems, ICB filters remove the contamination responsible for servo valve sticking, restoring fluid resistivity. ICB filters offer a step-change in performance, protecting system reliability and production with many benefits beyond acid removal. 

Can all particulate contamination be removed with a mechanical filter?

No. Standard mechanical filters cannot remove over 90% of total solid contamination in industrial lubricants.  Fine particulate contaminants can easily pass through, impacting fluid life and component wear.

What are the two main categories of particulate contamination in phosphate ester fluids?

> 4-micron particulate measured and classified by ISO 11500/4406 and < 4-micron particulate, which is not measured.

When cleaning or restoring EHC fluid, why is it important to remove insoluble particulate contamination?

Removing insoluble particulate contamination in EHC fluid via ECR® technology helps not only to reduce patch weight but also increases the fluid’s resistivity value.

Eliminating Particulate Contamination 101

How can I reduce contaminant particles below the range of mechanical filters?

Standard mechanical filters cannot remove most of the total solid contamination. These ultra-fine particulate contaminants pass through these filtration systems, impacting the life of the fluid and increasing component wear. ECR® Particulate Removal is an electrostatic system that combines high-voltage electrostatic fields with a proprietary collector element to remove particles below the range of mechanical filters.

What is the standard guide for the management of in-service Phosphate Ester-based Fluids for Steam Turbine Electro-Hydraulic Control (EHC) Systems?

ASTM D8323 outlines the requirements for monitoring the performance of in-service fire-resistant fluids based on triaryl phosphate esters to accomplish safe and reliable turbine electro-hydraulic control systems operation. ECR® 10000 is the only integrated system to condition EHC fluids to the requirements outlined in this guide.

How does the ECR® 10000 remove ultra-fine solids AND dissolved contaminants from phosphate esters?

Solid contamination is removed with electrostatic collector elements, engineered to remove sub-micron particles that are too fine to be captured with normal filters. The ECR collector media removes hard and soft contaminants as small as 0.01 microns through electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic processes. Dissolved contamination is addressed with patented ICB® ion-exchange filters, engineered to remove acids and soluble varnish at the molecular level. Other acid scavengers cannot remove phosphate ester varnish and its precursors.

How does the ECR® 10000 stack up against competing systems?

The ECR 10000 not only significantly reduces varnish potential (MPC), but also solid contamination (patch weight), improves fluid colour, and is best-in-class in terms of performance for acid number and fluid resistivity improvement. Meet ECR® 10000, an integrated skid-mounted kidney loop filtration system designed for phosphate ester fluid, primarily electro-hydraulic control (EHC) applications, equipped with three proprietary filtration technologies to achieve fluid standards as defined in ASTM D8323-21. The ECR 10000 includes 4 integrated filtration technologies, including electrostatics, our patented ICB® ion exchange, high-efficiency particulate removal and TMR® N2 for water ingression management.

Eliminating Particulate Contamination from Industrial Lubricants 101 Resources

Proactively manage fluid chemistry and physical contamination to ASTM D8323 standards

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Phosphate Ester Fluid 101

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Lubricant Chemistry Management

View Post

ECR® Product Bulletin

View Bulletin

EHC Fluid Recovery Case Study

View Case Study

In The Middle Episode 59: What are the primary contamination pathways for phosphate ester fluids?

Watch Now

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ECRO 10000 Thumbnail 2026

ECR® 10000

EHC FLUID CONDITIONING

ECR® 10000 is an integrated 4-in-1 system that targets ultra-fine solids and dissolved contaminants from phosphate esters in critical EHC applications.

Learn More →

TMR® N2

WATER REMOVAL

TMR® N2 is a highly effective, low-cost, nitrogen blanketing system that provides unlimited capacity to remove water and eliminate atmospheric water ingression.

Learn More →

ICB®

ION-EXCHANGE FILTERS

ICB® filters are industry leading patented ion exchange filters that offer unmatched performance in the removal of acids, varnish and dissolved oxidation molecules.

Learn More →
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