A workshop held for the benefit of companies managing assets in Saudi Arabia, including petrochemical, mining, and other asset intensive industries. Focusing on the technologies of the Grease Thief for sampling and analysis effectiveness.

1. Grease Analysis Blitz

2. Establishing a successful grease program
 Identify components that are
high value or critical for
operation to start with
 Ensure that samples are
collected per D7718 and
that those sampling and
been trained and know the
expectations for taking a
representative sample
 Have a good and open
dialogue with your lab
 Root cause analysis of
failures to help improve
lubrication program
 Have a set schedule for
sampling to build trend
history

3. Benefits of routine grease analysis
 Evaluate reliability of
machine and grease to
perform function
 Identify signs of mixing,
severe wear and
contamination
 Screening analysis used to
identify outlier samples to
upgraded to full analysis
 Maximizing the life of
lubricants supports
sustainability and creates
savings
 Can establish trends based
on equipment type,
operation conditions, and
hours of operation

4. Sampling per ASTM D7718
 There are different Grease
Thief kits
– Wind Turbines
– Electric Motors
– Robots
– Pillow Block
– Motor Operated Valves
 Compliant with ASTM D7718
Type I Grease Thief Type II Grease Thief
Type II GT on T-Handle

5. Grease Thief ‘’Pick-pocket’’ (Patent Pending)
 Same smaller diameter for openings access
 Automatically separating section for transfer to testing vial
 Low-cost sampling and testing for color and ferrous content
 Easy transfer using retained piston to standard Grease Thief for
additional testing

6. Sampling per ASTM D7718
 Sampling with extension rod
– Grease Thief is attached to T-handle and red piston is flush
with body
– Clean area around the access port with a lint-free cloth/wipe
– Shut down, lock out, and tag out machine properly for safety
– Guide in Grease Thief on the T-handle to predetermined
depth and then the sample is taken
– Remove T-handle, clean outside of the Grease Thief and
cap sample
– Placed in shipping tube with label that has identifying
information

7. Sampling per ASTM D7718
 Sampling without extension rod/port for Pillow
Block
– Use the large side of the spatula to move any
grease/debris on the outside of the bearing before
grease is added
– Slowly grease is added and old grease is purged out
– Clean end of the spatula is used to sample the
purged grease and pack into syringe
– Using the syringe the Grease Thief is filled and
capped
– Placed in shipping tube with label that has identifying
information

8. Sampling per ASTM D7718
 Sampling without extension rod/port for
split housing Pillow block or similar
bearing
– The top of the housing is removed to expose
the bearing
– Clean end of the spatula is used to sample
the purged grease and pack into syringe
– Using the syringe, the Grease Thief is filled
and capped
– Placed in shipping tube with label that has
identifying information

9. In-service Grease Testing per ASTM D7918
 Characterizes wear, consistency,
contamination and oxidation of a grease
sample
 Changes in these properties can be a
sign of mixing, excessive wear or
contamination and depletion of anti-
oxidant levels

10. In-service Grease Testing per ASTM D7918
 Ferrous debris – MRG uses the FerroQ
 Die Extrusion – MRG uses the Grease
Thief Analyzer
 Particle Counting – MRG uses the
Grease Thief Analyzer
– The Grease Thief analyzer heats, extrudes
and prepares the sample for further testing
Extruded Grease in a Grease Thief Analyzer

11. In-service Grease Testing per ASTM D7918
 Colorimetery – MRG uses the
Grease Thief Colorimeter
 Relative Humidity Sensor – MRG
uses the Vapor Pro XL
 Linear Sweep Voltammetry – MRG
uses the RULER View 9000
Vapor Pro XL

12. Which test slate is right for the application?
 GTA-0: Grease Screening Analysis
– Colorimetry, Ferrous Content and FTIR analysis
– Recommended for: Large fleet management (Robots, Wind Turbines,
Locomotive Bearings etc.), On-site analysis with Grease Thief Colorimeter
and FerroQ, and as screening for candidates for Basic or Advanced
analysis can be done.
 GTA-1: Basic Grease Analysis
– Colorimetry, Ferrous Content, FTIR, GT Die Extrusion, Moisture, and
Elemental analysis
– Recommended for: New sample locations to build trend data for the
sample point, samples that have known issues that need to be monitored

13. Which test slate is right for the application?
 GTA-2: Advanced Grease Analysis
– Colorimetry, Ferrous Content, FTIR, GT Die Extrusion, Moisture,
Elemental analysis, Anti-oxidant testing, Analytical Ferrography and
Rheological analysis
– Recommended for: High value assets that are hard/timely to replace or
have an impact on production, samples that have known issues that need
to be monitored, equipment that is near end of life or has experienced
severe wear to monitor for its presence

14. Establish an effective grease analysis program
with these seven steps
• Step 1: Select appropriate equipment for inclusion
• Step 2: Evaluate grease flow in the machine to determine “live zone” target
• Step 3: Select appropriate equipment for obtaining a representative sample
• Step 4: Establish a Standard Operating Procedure for grease sampling methodology and
conditions
• Step 5: Create an appropriate and cost-effective test slate that is right-sized for the
individual component
• Step 6: Generate a sampling schedule with optimized frequencies
• Step 7: Review analysis results for systemic issues and implement pro-active measures to
improve reliability and life

15. Establishing Grease Analysis Capabilities in KSA
• What approaches will solve “Chicken or Egg” dilemma?
• Ideas for Progress
• Export compiled samples for analysis as initial strategy
• Consortium for Demand sufficient to attract investment
• Build lab in KSA or expand existing Oil Analysis Lab
• Role for SGS as partner with capabilities in KSA
• Partner suggestions for stocking and providing sampling kits
• MRG Labs supports expanding knowledge and value of analysis in KSA

16. Questions?