Compressor Oil Odor 1

[billgburns]

We have gone to using a food grade of oil [Ingersoll Rand SSR H-1R Coolant] in our Ingersoll Rand Compressors - we are now getting an odor (after 12 weeks) in the air that smells like hot wax. The odor is pretty strong near the compressors - but in confined areas where plant air is used you can smell it as well. We are changing the oil every 1,000 hours per maint procedure from IR - we are getting complaints of the odor from packaging department where there is a lot of pneumatic exhaust from packaging machinery - the air has gone through 4 coalescers before it is exhausted - any suggestions as to how to remove the odor?
Bill Burns - King Technologies

 

[TD2K]

Activated carbon filters would be one suggestion.

Have you involved the vendor in the odor problem? Do analyses of the lubricating oil show any problems there? I realize your problem is odor, just want to make sure you aren't having any equipment concerns also.

 

[KenRad]

TD2K is right -- you should do an oil analysis if you haven't already.

When you do your oil changes, do you completely flush the oil system? That would involve draining heat exchangers, oil piping low points, etc. We once had a situation on our Sullair flooded screw compressors where we had a strong odor, and oil analysis pointed to a buildup of contaminants caused by insufficient flushing. If I remember correctly, the used oil is acidic. So if all is not removed during the oil change, the ph of your "new oil" is low from the start, and the problem gets worse with each oil change. We ended up having to change the oil 3 or 4 times, running the compressor for only a few hours between each change, and this solved the problem. Whether this is the problem you are having or not, an oil analysis is the place to start.

 

[quark]

Bill!

As TD2K said activated carbon filters will solve the problem. Domnick Hunter sells these filters (they also sell filters which remove oil mist to 0.01mg/liter-0.01 micron glass fibre filters) and are very much used in pharma companies. (they are sterile too)

Or simply why can't you use oil free air compressors?(in which there will be graphited teflon piston and guide rings where you don't require any lube oil in the cylinder. Moreover Ingersoll Rand manufactures these compressors.

Regards,

Truth: Even the hardest of the problems will have atleast one simple solution. Mine may not be one.

 

[stressriser]

Have you targeted the problem to rancid oil? After you make an oil change, do you notice a reduction in odor? If so, how long does it take to come back?

Before you try to solve a problem, you need to identify it. Although filtering the (exhaust? oil?) might be a tempoary fix to a larger problem.

I think you must work with the vendor of the oil first, they may have an alternative or an additive. You may find that filtering the oil is the right solution, but I would first find out "why" the oil is rancid. Perhaps it is reacting with system material or a contaminate. Perhaps it is just rotting. If it has to be a food grade oil, perhaps bacteria causing the odor is negating the safety of food grade material.