WHAT IS OIL DETERIORATION?
An analysis of “deteriorated” oil proves that when oil is contaminated, its physical characteristics are not changed. Only a tiny percentage of oil molecules chemically react in the oxidation process and produce a resinous matter, which is generally referred as “sludge”. (Mud in water indicates that water is contaminated, it does not however alter the basic molecular structure of water.) Oil is said to have deteriorated when a few dozen PPM of resinous matter exist in the oil. A relatively high acid value is measured in such oil and resinous matter of light brown colour is deposited on a 0.8-micron membrane patch, when oil is checked by membrane analysis method. Resinous matter is soluble in oil at temperatures higher than 60oC. And remains insoluble at temperatures lower than 60oC. Resinous matter is also measured as benzene insoluble. This resinous matter or sludge passes through filters when its concentration is small but clogs filters when its concentration increases. This is Deter
