Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Based Oil Condition Monitoring for Synthetic Turbine Oils
Abstract
To ensure the optimum performance of military aircraft engines the chemical and physical condition of their oil must be monitored with time in service. Normal testing methods require a significant cost and time overhead, so the ability of one test instrument to monitor the condition of the oil is an essential requirement of modern condition-based oil analysis. This paper describes the use of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) instrument coupled with a powerful chemometrics-based analysis technique to monitor oil acidity, viscosity, load carrying additives, water, and antioxidant concentrations in synthetic turbine oils from a series of in-service TF30 engines. The FTIR chemometrics-based technique was found to offer confidant prediction of these oil condition properties and to be a suitable technique for oil condition monitoring for the TF30 engine oil system. However, further refinement of the technique would be required before allowing it to be used by non-skilled operators. The authors conclude that oil condition monitoring of synthetic turbine oils can be performed successfully using FTIR coupled with chemometric modeling. It is possible to accurately determine oil viscosity, TAN, antioxidant concentration, and load carrying additive concentration. The model is not suitable for the prediction of water content, but this capability would be easily added with a small amount of extra oil analysis and simple recalibration of the predictive model. Specific test results are appended. (numerous tables, 5 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA419428
Entities
People
- Geoff Morris
- Paul Rawson
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group