FTIR Compressor Oil Analysis for Predictive Maintenance
Learn how FTIR compressor oil analysis detects oxidation, thermal degradation and lubricant changes to support predictive maintenance and compressor reliability.
In “FTIR in Compressor Oils: From Routine Monitoring to High Value-Added Diagnostics,” Jorge explains how Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy can move beyond routine oxidation reporting to become a more effective predictive-maintenance and oil-condition-monitoring tool.
By comparing in-service compressor oil with a new-oil reference and tracking changes across the infrared spectrum, laboratories can identify developing signs of oil oxidation, thermal degradation, additive depletion and lubricant aging. Trending these changes over multiple samples can help maintenance teams recognize deterioration before it contributes to varnish, deposits, filter restrictions, elevated operating temperatures or unplanned compressor downtime.
The article also highlights the value of combining FTIR with complementary used oil analysis tests, including viscosity, Total Acid Number, particle counting and wear-metal analysis.
Together, these results provide a more complete understanding of lubricant health, contamination and developing mechanical conditions.
Ready to strengthen your reliability strategy?
Bureau Veritas provides analytical fluid analysis across data center, nuclear, coal, natural gas, wind, and solar operations, helping operators protect critical cooling, lubrication, insulation, and fuel systems.
📩 ocminfo@bureauveritas.com
Author
Jorge Alarcon
Technical & Sales Manager, Bureau Veritas Spain
Jorge Alarcon is the Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas Spain. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industrial field and has implemented and developed more than 1,000 oil analysis and lubrication programs worldwide. He has published research articles in various OCM fields and is currently a Ph.D. student in failure prognosis through grease analysis in the wind power generation industry. Jorge has extensive knowledge of the European, North America, and South American oil condition and predictive maintenance markets. He focuses on customer technical support, improving plant reliability through predictive maintenance tools, and applying data analytics, business intelligence, and digital transformation strategies.
https://precisionlubrication.com/author/jorge-alarcon/
