6. LUBRICANT STORAGE AND HANDLING
6.1 Safety
When handled properly, most lubricants are
safe, but when handled improperly, some haz-
ards may exist. The Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) provides information on the potential
hazards associated with a specific lubricant and
should be readily accessible to all personnel
involved in any way in the handling of lubricants.
The lubrlcant's MSDS should provide informa-
tion on any hazardous ingredients, physical and
chemical characteristics, fire and explosion
data, health hazards, and precautions for safe
use.
6.2 Oil
safe, but when handled improperly, some haz-
ards may exist. The Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) provides information on the potential
hazards associated with a specific lubricant and
should be readily accessible to all personnel
involved in any way in the handling of lubricants.
The lubrlcant's MSDS should provide informa-
tion on any hazardous ingredients, physical and
chemical characteristics, fire and explosion
data, health hazards, and precautions for safe
use.
6.2 Oil
In most powerplants, a bulk storage system with
separate clean and dirty oil tanks is used to
store the oil for the guide bearings and gover-
nors. At times, the clean oil tank can become
contaminated by water condensation or dust or
dirt in the air. To prevent the contamination of
the bearing or governor oil reservoirs, the oil
from the clean tank should be filtered again as
it is being pumped into these reservoirs. If this is
not possible, the initial oil drawn from the clean
tank should be directed into the dirty oil tank to
remove any settled contaminates.
separate clean and dirty oil tanks is used to
store the oil for the guide bearings and gover-
nors. At times, the clean oil tank can become
contaminated by water condensation or dust or
dirt in the air. To prevent the contamination of
the bearing or governor oil reservoirs, the oil
from the clean tank should be filtered again as
it is being pumped into these reservoirs. If this is
not possible, the initial oil drawn from the clean
tank should be directed into the dirty oil tank to
remove any settled contaminates.
The clean oil storage tank should be periodically
drained and thoroughly cleaned. If the area
where the storage tanks are located is dusty, it
may be desirable to Install a filter in the tank's
vent line. If water contamination is a persistent
drained and thoroughly cleaned. If the area
where the storage tanks are located is dusty, it
may be desirable to Install a filter in the tank's
vent line. If water contamination is a persistent
or excessive, a water absorbent filter, such as
silica gel may be required.
silica gel may be required.
Oil stored in drums, if possible, should be stored
indoors, following label directions as they pertain
to special precautions regarding temperature or
ventilation requirements. If it is necessary to
storedrums outside, they should be stored on
their side to prevent water or dirt from collecting
on top of the drum. The bungs on the drums
should always be kept tightly closed except
when oil is being drawn out. If a tap or pump is
installed on the drum, the outlet should be wiped
clean after drawing oil to prevent dust from
collecting.
indoors, following label directions as they pertain
to special precautions regarding temperature or
ventilation requirements. If it is necessary to
storedrums outside, they should be stored on
their side to prevent water or dirt from collecting
on top of the drum. The bungs on the drums
should always be kept tightly closed except
when oil is being drawn out. If a tap or pump is
installed on the drum, the outlet should be wiped
clean after drawing oil to prevent dust from
collecting.
6.3 Grease
Characteristics of some greases may change in
storage. A grease may bleed, change consis-
tency, or pick up contaminants during storage.
Some greases may be more susceptible to the
effects of prolonged storage than others, so the
manufacturer or distributor should be consulted
for information on the maximum shelf life of a
particular grease. To be safe, no more than a
one year supply of a grease should be in storage
at any time. Grease should be stored in a tightly
sealed container to prevent dust, moisture, or
other contamination, and stored where it will not
be exposed to excessive heat, such as near
furnaces or heaters. Excessive heat may cause
the grease to bleed and oxidize.
storage. A grease may bleed, change consis-
tency, or pick up contaminants during storage.
Some greases may be more susceptible to the
effects of prolonged storage than others, so the
manufacturer or distributor should be consulted
for information on the maximum shelf life of a
particular grease. To be safe, no more than a
one year supply of a grease should be in storage
at any time. Grease should be stored in a tightly
sealed container to prevent dust, moisture, or
other contamination, and stored where it will not
be exposed to excessive heat, such as near
furnaces or heaters. Excessive heat may cause
the grease to bleed and oxidize.
17 (FIST 2-4 11/90)