Shell Lubricants

Shell LubeAnalyst
USER GUIDE

Page 1
1 Contents
2 Introduction 3
3 Registering as a new Shell LubeAnalyst Customer 5
4 Registering a New Shell LubeAnalyst Site 6
5 Registering new Equipment or Vehicles 8
6 Registering a new Shell LubeAnalyst Component 10
7 Registering a new Shell LubeAnalyst Subscriber 12
7.1 Registering a subscriber at site level 13
7.2 Registering a subscriber at Equipment/Component level 15
8 Ordering Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kits 18
9 Choosing a Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kit/Suite 19
9.1 LubeAnalyst K1 Test Suites (Pre-Paid) 19
9.2 LubeAnalyst K2 Test Suites (Pre-Paid) 20
9.3 LubeAnalyst K3 Test Suites (Pre-Paid) 21
9.4 LubeAnalyst Advanced Turbines Test Suites (Post-Paid) 22
9.5 LubeAnalyst Advanced Test Suites (Post-Paid) 23
10 Sample Techniques and Registration 24
10.1 Best Practice Sampling Techniques 24
10.2 Drawing a sample with a sample pump 25
10.3 Completing a Shell LubeAnalyst Sample Label 26
10.4 Registering a new sample with Shell LubeAnalyst 27
11 Shell LubeAnalyst Sample Analysis Reports 30
11.1 Shell LubeAnalyst K1, K2 and K3 Test Suite Reports 30
11.2 Shell LubeAnalyst Advanced Test Suite Reports 31
11.3 Shell LubeAnalyst Failure Analysis Feature 32
12 Key Contacts and More Information 33

Please note that the assessment of lubricant condition is a complex task. Shell and its related bodies corporate have prepared this document
as a guide only, to assist you in using the Shell LubeAnalyst service. It should not be regarded as authoritative for all machinery, in all
circumstances. If in doubt about a particular aspect of testing, contact the equipment manufacturer or your local Shell representative.

LubeAnalyst Users should ensure they have read in full the Shell LubeAnalyst User Manual and related documents available at www.shell.
com.au/lubeanalyst. Neither Shell nor its related bodies corporate shall be liable for any loss, damage, costs and expenses (including loss of
profits, business or anticipated savings or any direct or consequential losses of whatever kind), whether caused by negligence or otherwise,
incurred by customers or any other person or entity arising in connection with use of or reliance on the LubeAnalyst service. In the case of
non-excludable guarantees, warranties or conditions applied by law, Shell’s liability is limited (at Shell’s option) to the replacement or resupply
of the relevant goods/services (or payment of the cost thereof), where this is permitted by law.

Page 2
2 Introduction
Welcome to Shell LubeAnalyst, Shell’s leading oil and equipment condition monitoring service.
Shell LubeAnalyst is a powerful online global database that leverages our technical expertise in
lubricants and lubrication.

Shell LubeAnalyst is like a health check for your oil and equipment. It is a condition monitoring
service which helps to keep your equipment running smoothly.

How can Shell LubeAnalyst help me improve equipment reliability and save
money on maintenance?

The Shell LubeAnalyst service has been designed as an early warning system that identifies
signs of increased wear and evidence of unwanted contaminants or lubricant degradation.
This condition monitoring service helps to provide preventive and predictive maintenance.

Lubricants are designed to perform many functions, such as to reduce friction and wear,
transfer power, and remove and control contaminants. The physical and chemical analysis
of used lubricants can reveal important information about the condition of machinery and
the ongoing serviceability of the lubricant. In many applications, an aged lubricant can
begin to cause damage to machinery rather than protect it. Whether this is due to excessive
contamination or chemical degradation, oil analysis can be an effective means of detecting
this common problem and optimising service intervals.

Oil analysis is also one of the most effective ways of trending wear and identifying wear
behaviour, whether this is via time based trending of wear, or the morphological study of
individual wear particles.

There are five simple steps to the Shell LubeAnalyst equipment condition monitoring service:

1. Register your customer details and equipment with Shell LubeAnalyst

2. Collect the oil sample

3. Label the oil sample

4. Mail the oil sample

5. Receive the lab report with diagnosis and recommendations.

How do I get the most out of Shell LubeAnalyst?

Define your goals clearly, so that the tests performed are appropriate for the application.
Complete the sample registration process to determine true conditions and help ensure
accurate testing.

Page 3
The Shell LubeAnalyst system is a powerful database. Figure 1 shows the hierarchy of the
database and illustrates the relationship between each level. There is no limit to the number
of elements that can be registered to each level.

Figure 1 Shell LubeAnalyst Database Hierarchy

Subscribers

A subscriber to the Shell LubeAnalyst system may be linked to any of these levels. A subscriber
is the person who will receive all the Shell LubeAnalyst sample reports for the equipment
or components at or below the level to which they are registered. The subscriber can select
to receive all reports for samples processed, or choose to receive only certain reports (for
example, with the status “Action”). There is no limit to the number of subscribers that can be
linked to a level. The component level is the lowest level to which a subscriber can be linked.
Subscribers can be removed or added at anytime.

Page 4
3 Registering as a new Shell LubeAnalyst Customer

Current Shell Customer

If you have an account with Shell, please contact your Shell Account Manager, Shell Lubricants
Technical Advisor or the Shell Technical Helpdesk on 1300 134 205.

We will need the following information for your LubeAnalyst registration:

■■ Shell Customer “Sold to” number

■■ Site name – Shell “Ship to” number

■■ Invoice Address

■■ Contact Name

■■ Contact Phone

■■ Contact Email address

Current Shell Distributor Customer

For customers that purchase Shell LubeAnalyst kits through our network of Shell Lubricants
distributors and re-sellers, please contact the Shell Technical Helpdesk for assistance in setting
up your access.

You’ll need to provide us with the following information for registration:

■■ Company Name

■■ Company Address

■■ Contact Name

■■ Contact Phone

■■ Contact Email

Once you have been registered as a Shell LubeAnalyst Customer, you will receive a
Welcome to Shell LubeAnalyst email. This message will include your User ID and
password, together with the Shell LubeAnalyst database web address, to enable you to login to
and begin your Shell LubeAnalyst oil condition monitoring program.

Page 5
4 Registering a New Shell LubeAnalyst Site
Now that you have your login details, you will be able to register your site(s) with Shell
LubeAnalyst. First you will need to log in to the Shell LubeAnalyst database and enter your
User ID and password. You can also reach the login screen by clicking on the web address in
your Welcome to Shell LubeAnalyst email.

Figure 2 Login Screen

You will be automatically directed to the Sample Results page, the home page. You will see
any new results since your last login.

Figure 3 Sample Results Page

Page 6
Now you can register your new site. Choose Site Management, then Register, from the
LubeAnalyst menu, and complete all the required fields. Required fields in LubeAnalyst are
marked with an asterisk (*), they are highlighted below with a * . Once you’re satisfied with
the details, click .

*
* *
*

*
*
*
*

*
*

Figure 4 Site Registration

You’ll see a green message indicating your Site details saved successfully and you’ll
receive a confirmation email from Shell LubeAnalyst. You are now ready to register your new
site’s equipment.

Page 7
5 Registering new Equipment or Vehicles
With your site details completed, you can begin registering equipment. Choose
Equipment/Vehicles, then Register from the LubeAnalyst menu. Select the site from the
Site Name field. Complete the remaining fields, those fields marked with an asterisk (*) are
compulsory, they are highlighted below with * . You can use the button to add new data.

* *

* *

*
*

Figure 5 Register Eqiupment

Page 8
Once all details have been completed, click to save the new equipment.
A message will appear in green confirming Equipment details saved successfully. Now
you can register the components of the equipment by clicking the button.

* *

* *

*
*

Figure 6 Modify Equipment – Register

Page 9
6 Registering a new Shell LubeAnalyst Component
A component must be registered to a piece of equipment as illustrated in the hierachy depicted
in Figure 1. Select Equipment/Vehicles, then Search in the LubeAnalyst menu (or if you
have just successfully registered a new piece of equipment, click ). In the
search screen you can choose filters required and select Search, which will return a list of
equipment registered to your site. Select the correct equipment. This will take you to the view
Equipment/Vehicle screen. Then select button.

Complete the data fields, those marked with an asterisk (*) are compulsory, highlighted below
with * . You can use the button to add new data. To help select the test suite required for
this Component, please refer to Section 9.0 Choosing a Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kit/Suite. The
Test Suite you choose for this component must match the kit type that you have purchased. For
example, if you select a K2 test suite, you must send the sample with a K2 label.

* *

* *

*
*
*
* Shell Rimula R4 L

Figure 7 Modify Equipment – Component Details

Page 10
Additional tests can also be added to the test suite, at additional cost. Please contact the
Shell Technical Helpdesk on 1300 134 205 prior to selecting additional test suites. Once all
details have been completed, click the button to save these details.

* *

* *

*
*
*
* Shell Rimula R4 L

Figure 8 Modify Equipment – Details Saved

A green message will appear Equipment Details Saved and Component Details
Registered Successfully.

Page 11
7 Registering a new Shell LubeAnalyst Subscriber
Subscribers to the Shell LubeAnalyst system are the people who will receive the LubeAnalyst
reports. Subscribers can be registered at any level of the hierarchy, customer, site, equipment
or component. For example, a subscriber registered at the customer level will receive reports
for all sites, and a subscriber registered to a piece of equipment will receive reports for that
piece of equipment and related components only.

You can add a subscriber using the Shell LubeAnalyst website, allowing the subscriber to
receive analysis reports via email as they are generated from the LubeAnalyst system. There
are three active user settings for registering a subscriber: Customer Viewer, Customer User and
Customer Admin. See Table 1 for details.

Access Level View Data and Register Register Register

Reports Equipment/ Subscriber at Site Subscriber at
Component Level Equipment/
Component level
Customer Viewer ■
Customer User ■ ■ ■
Customer Admin ■ ■ ■ ■

Table 1 Customer access levels

Page 12
7.1 Registering a subscriber at site level
Once logged on, select User Details, then Register from the Lube Analyst menu.

Figure 9 Sample Results

Select the site you wish to register from the Site Name drop down box located under the Site
Details section. Once selected, enter details under the Subscriber Details section. Note that
Mode For Red-Sample (Figure 10) should be set to None unless the subscriber would
like all Action (Red) sample reports to be sent to additional persons.

*
*
*
*

*
*

Figure 10 Register Subscriber

Page 13
Once you have completed all the new subscribers’ details, click the button. A
green message will appear confirming Subscriber details registered successfully. The
entry will then be validated by the LubeAnalyst administrator, and a welcome email will be sent
to the subscriber, containing login and password details.

*
*
*
*

*
*

Figure 11 Modify Subscriber

Click if you would like to add another subscriber at this stage.

Page 14
7.2 Registering a subscriber at Equipment/Component level
This section describes the process for registering a subscriber to a component or piece of
equipment. As shown in Table 1, customer user or customer admin access is required to
register a subscriber to a level lower than a site.

The first step to registering a subscriber to a piece of equipment or component is to locate the
equipment or component. Select Equipment/Vehicles then Search, enter the selection
criteria and click the button.

Figure 12 Search Equipment/Component – Search

A list of all registered equipment applicable to the criteria entered will be shown, from which
you then need to select the specific piece of equipment or component. Note that if you wish
to register the subscriber to multiple pieces of equipment or components you must repeat the
process for each. Alternatively, you can register the subscriber to the site, which would result
in the subscriber receiving Shell LubeAnalyst results for all the equipment and components
registered to that site.

Shell Technical Helpdesk

Shell Technical Helpdesk

Figure 13 Search Equipment/Component – Listing

Page 15
Select if you wish to register the subscriber to the piece of equipment,
or select to register the subscriber at the component level.

560

Figure 14 View Equipment/Component

From the Modify Component or Modify Equipment window select the button
under the Subscriber(s) section.

*
*
* Shell Rimula R4 L

Figure 15 Modify Component/Equipment

Page 16
The Associated Subscribers page will open in a new window, showing all the subscribers
registered to that item. To add the new subscriber, select the button. This will take
you to the Register Subscriber screen.

Figure 16.1 Associated Subscribers

In the Register Subscriber screen, enter all the new subscriber’s details, as described in
Section 7.1 Registering a subscriber at site level, and then click the button. A green
message will appear confirming the Successful registration of the subscriber.

*
*

Figure 16.2 Register Subscriber

Page 17
8 Ordering Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kits
Shell LubeAnalyst orders are processed by the Shell Technical Helpdesk. Purchase orders can
be emailed to technical-au@shell.com or faxed to 1300 134 205. Please include the following
information on your purchase order:

■■ Company Name

■■ Delivery Address

■■ Invoice Address

■■ Purchase Order Number

■■ Contact Name and Contact Details

■■ Type of kit required (refer to Section 9.0 Choosing a Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kit/Suite)

■■ Quantity of kits required

Shell LubeAnalyst materials are supplied as:

■■  re-paid test kits: LubeAnalyst “K1”, “K2” and “K3” contain sampling materials for 10
P
samples. We send an invoice to you at the time the pre-paid kit is dispatched.

■■  ost-paid test kits: LubeAnalyst “Advanced”, are ordered as individual samples. We send
P
an invoice to you after the sample has been tested.

Your Shell LubeAnalyst samples are invoiced separately to lubricants and fuels orders.

For any issues relating to your LubeAnalyst invoice please contact the Shell Technical Helpdesk
on 1300 134 205.

Page 18
9 Choosing a Shell LubeAnalyst Test Kit/Suite
Shell LubeAnalyst offers two types of test suites: pre-paid test kits (LubeAnalyst K1, K2 and K3)
and post-paid test kits (LubeAnalyst Advanced). The pre-paid test kits include a standard set of
tests according to the sample source. Please review the following tables to help determine the
correct test kit for your needs.

9.1 LubeAnalyst K1 Test Suites (Pre-Paid)

TEST SUITE
Viscosity @ 100°C
Viscosity @ 40°C

Oxidation Index
(ASTM D3828)

(ASTM D5185)

(ASTM D5185)

(ASTM D5185)
Nitration Index
(ASTM D445)

(ASTM D445)

Spectrometry
Moisture (%)
(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

Sulphur (S)
Flash Point

Soot Index

Lithium (Li)
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Automotive Transmission ■ ■ ■ ■
Aviation Engine—Diesel ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Aviation Petrol Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Diesel Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Industry Gears—ISO Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Industry Gears—SAE Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Industry—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Locomotive Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
LPG/Natural Gas Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Marine Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Petrol Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Transport—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades

Page 19
9.2 LubeAnalyst K2 Test Suites (Pre-Paid)

Wear Index (PQ Index)

Water Content (KF)
Viscosity @ 100°C
TEST SUITE
Viscosity @ 40°C

Oxidation Index

(ASTM D5185)

(ASTM D5185)
Nitration Index

ASTM D5185)
(ASTMD2896)

Spectrometry (
(ASTM D664)

Moisture (%)
(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)

Sulphur (S)
Flash Point

Soot Index

Lithium (Li)
TAN

TBN
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Automotive Transmission ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Aviation Engine—Diesel ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Aviation Petrol Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Diesel Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Industry Gears—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Industry Gears—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Industry—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Locomotive Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
LPG/Natural Gas Engine ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Marine Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Petrol Engines ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Refrigerator Compressor ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Transport—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Turbines—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Aviation Grades
Turbines—ISO Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Page 20
9.3 LubeAnalyst K3 Test Suites (Pre-Paid)

(ISO 4406:1999 New)

Wear Index (PQ Index)

Water Content (KF)
Viscosity @ 100°C
Viscosity @ 40°C

Oxidation Index

(ASTM D5185)

(ASTM D5185)
Nitration Index
(ASTMD2896)
TEST SUITE

(ASTM D445)

(ASTM D445)
Particle Count

(ASTMD664)

Spectrometry
(FTIR JOAP)

(FTIR JOAP)
(FTIR JOAP)
Soot Index

Lithium (Li)
TAN

TBN
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Air Compressor—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Diff/Final Drive/PTO—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Hydraulic Systems—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Industry Gears—ISO Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Industry Gears—SAE Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Industry—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ISO Grades
Refrigerator Compressor ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Transport—General—
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
SAE Grades
Turbines—ISO Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Turbines—Aviation Grades ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Page 21
 TEST SUITE

Advanced Turbine Systems 4

Advanced Turbine Systems 3
Advanced Turbine Systems 2
Advanced Turbine Systems 1
Air Release Characteristics

■
■
Analytical Ferrography

■
■
■
Anti Rusting (Fresh Water)

■
Appearance

■
■
■
■

Foam Seq 1, 2 & 3 (Tend/Stab)

■
■ Laser Net Fines
■

Millipore Sludges (0.8µ)

■
■

Particle Count (ISO 4406)

■
■
■

TAN (ASTM D664)

■
■
■
■

Viscosity 40°C
■
■
■
■

Water Content (KF)

■
■
■
■

Water Separability
■

Wear Index (PQ Index)

■
■
■
■
9.4 LubeAnalyst Advanced Turbines Test Suites (Post-Paid)

Oxidation Stability (RPVOT)

■
■
■

Spectrometry (ASTM D5185)

■
■
■
■

Particle Count (NAS)

■

Page 22
9.5 LubeAnalyst Advanced Test Suites (Post-Paid)

Total Acid Number (TAN)

Wear Index (PQ Index)

Analytical Ferrography

Buchholz Gas Analysis

Breakdown Voltage

Water Content (KF)

Interfacial Tension

Reserve Alkalinity
Micro Organisms
Millipore Sludges
Oxidation Index

Laser Net Fines

Viscosity 40°C
Particle Count

Spectrometry
TEST SUITE

Appearance

Conductivity
Flash Point

pH value

Sulphur
Glycol

Nitrite
Advanced Heat Transfer
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
and Seal Systems
Advanced Air
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Compressor Systems
Advanced Bearing and
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Circulating Systems
Advanced Coolant Systems ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Advanced Diesel Fuel ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Advanced Ferrography ■
Advanced Fire Resist
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Hydraulic Fluid (HFD)
Advanced Gas
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Compressor Systems
Advanced Grease
■ ■ ■
Lubricated Bearings
Advanced Particle
■ ■
Shape Classifier
Advanced Refrigeration
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Compressor Systems
Advanced Transformer
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Oil Quality
Advanced Transformer Oil
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Quality+DGA
Advanced Turbo
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Compressor Systems

Page 23
10 Sample Techniques and Registration
Once you have purchased and received your test kits, you will be ready to take samples and
send them to the Shell LubeAnalyst laboratory for analysis.

10.1 Best Practice Sampling Techniques

Most lubricant condition monitoring services use an oil sample of only 100mL to represent a
system that may hold hundreds or thousands of litres of oil, so it is very important to take a
representative sample. From the very first sample, you begin investing in a valuable condition
monitoring programme. Every sample contributes to building a history from which trends in wear,
contamination, and degradation can be determined. When sampling from systems, always
observe environment, health and safety requirements. Take care with high-pressure piping and
thermal systems and sampling close to electrical equipment or when sampling from a drain line.
If in doubt, please contact your Lubricants Technical Advisor or Shell Technical Helpdesk.

We recommend a consistent method of taking a sample. Always take the sample at the same
point, in the same way and after the same amount of time. For example, if you previously took
the sample half an hour after the machine has been started, please make sure that the next
sample is taken half an hour after the start of the machine as well. We recommend that you
sample a component while it is running (if it is safe to do so) or within 30 minutes after shutdown.
Refrain from sampling right after a large volume of lubricant has been added. Always be sure to
draw sufficient sample to fill the bottle. 80% full is a good level to aim for, as this will help ensure
that there is adequate sample to complete all tests, and will ensure adequate ullage to allow
sample agitation by the laboratory.

Areas where lubricant flow is restricted or where contaminants and wear products tend to settle
and collect should be avoided as sampling points. Always try to take the sample in the most
hygienic of conditions. This will help to minimise contaminants in the sample, which could lead to
an incorrect analysis and diagnosis. Use the correct sampling equipment and the bottles supplied
by Shell. Make sure that they are unopened, unused and clean before you use them. Always
clean the sampling gun immediately after use. After taking the samples, check to make sure that
the bottle lids are tightly closed.

The optimum location to sample a circulating system is a live zone upstream of filters where
contaminants and wear debris are the most concentrated. Usually, this means sampling from fluid
return lines or drain lines. For systems where oil drains back to a sump without being directed
through a line (such as engines), draw from the pressure line down-stream of the pump (before
the filter). Permanent sampling points should be at elbows in pipe runs in preference to straight
sections. This will help to ensure that the flow regime at the sample point is turbulent and that
wear and contaminant particles do not ‘drop out’ of suspension.

Avoid sampling from dead zones of static tanks and reservoirs. In particular, sampling from the
bottoms of sumps should be avoided because the wear debris and contaminants collected are
likely to be the results of build up over time and may not represent current operating conditions.
The sample point should be near the mid-point between the surface of the oil and the floor of the
tank/sump and away from walls.

Splash, slinger-ring and flood-lubricated components are best sampled from drain plugs but only
after considerable flushing. In a similar manner, permanent valves should be wiped clean and
then flushed prior to sampling to ensure that any ‘dead-leg’ debris is excluded from the sample.
Page 24
10.2 Drawing a sample with a sample pump
1. Use a Shell LubeAnalyst sample bottle, remove the cap and screw into the pump body.

2. Using a new length of tube for each sample, push the tube through the top of the
pump until it appears half way down the sample bottle. Please make sure to tighten the
thumbscrew to secure the tube.

3. Place the end of the tube into the sampling point.

4. Make sure that the sample bottle is vertical throughout the sampling operation and that it is
not overfilled. It is also important that the gun and bottle assembly is kept upright while in
use to prevent oil entering the gun. Should this occur, disassemble it immediately and flush
thoroughly with a solvent such as white spirit, Shellite or X55. Dry before reassembling.
DO NOT FLUSH GUN WITH PETROL OR DEGREASING FLUID.

5. Complete the sample label and attach to the bottle. Place the bottle inside the plastic bag
provided and close the ziploc then slip the bottle into the mailing canister. Send the sample
to the laboratory by affixing the mailing label to the canister and dropping in the post, or
use a pre-paid courier bag (available to purchase when you order your LubeAnalyst kits).

Figure 17 Taking a good sample

Page 25
10.3 Completing a Shell LubeAnalyst Sample Label
The LubeAnalyst label is divided into four sections:

A) Customer record stub – complete and keep this for your records

B) Sample identification tabs – stick these onto the sample bottle and lid

C) Sample specific information – complete this to identify your sample

D) S
 ite, Equipment and Component information – complete this if not already registered in
LubeAnalyst (or register online)

Section A Section B Section C Section D

K2
STICK TO LID OF SAMPLE BOTTLE

SAMPLE NUMBER To stick on the bottle

If the Equipment/Component is not registered,
SAMPLE NUMBER
SAMPLE NUMBER

complete all the fields below or register online.

Email address:
Date sample drawn: D D M M Y Y Shell LubeAnalyst Number:
0007 / Customer Name/Site:

NOTE: Without this number the sample can not be processed

Date sample drawn:
Phone: Fax:
Customer Name: Site:
D D M M Y Y AD HOC
Lubricant in Use: Oil Changed: Yes No Equipment Ref ID:
Shell LubeAnalyst Number:
/ Equipment Life: Lubricant Life: Top Up Volume: Component Ref ID:
FOR YOUR RECORDS

SAMPLE NUMBER

Equipment ref ID Please quote the units of measure for above numbers, i.e. 250 hours Equipment/Component Description:
FOR INDUSTRIAL Diesel Gearboxes Hydraulics Turbine Gas Bearings, Circulating Aviation Compressors and
Equipment/Component EQUIPMENT Engine Engine Systems and EDM Piston Engine Vacuum Pumps Equipment Manufacturer:
Model:
FOR TRANSPORT/ Engine Hydraulics Power Right Left Gearboxes and F Axle, Differentials Transfer
CONSTRUCTION and Brakes Steering Red. Gear Red. Gear Transmissions Oil Capacity: Litres:
EQUIPMENT R and Final Drives Gearbox
K2 www.shell.com.au/lubeanalyst Valid to: 31/12/2011

Figure 18 Shell LubeAnalyst Sample Label

1. First time samples (without registering online with Shell LubeAnalyst):

For a first time sample, complete all sections with the required information. As it is the first
sample, a Shell LubeAnalyst Number will not yet be assigned to the component. This Shell
LubeAnalyst Number is unique to each component and is left blank for first-time samples.
It will be assigned once the first sample has been registered in Shell LubeAnalyst and will
appear on the LubeAnalyst sample report. You can then record on future samples.

2. Registering the sample online:

Registering the sample online is the most efficient way of recording the required data. The
next section, Section 10.4 , describes the process of registering a sample online. Once
you’ve registered online, just record the Shell LubeAnalyst number in Section C.

3. Ongoing samples:
Complete Sections A, B and C. In Section C, fill in the Shell LubeAnalyst Number,
Equipment Life, Lubricant Life, Top-Up Volume and tick if the oil was changed.

If you have any questions about the information required, please contact your Shell Account
Manager, Lubricants Technical Advisor or the Shell Technical Helpdesk.

Page 26
10.4 Registering a new sample with Shell LubeAnalyst
Now that the sample label has been filled in with all the required information, the sample can be
registered on the LubeAnalyst system. Select Sample Management, then Register from the
LubeAnalyst menu.

Figure 19 Register Sample

Page 27
Complete the fields on the Register Sample page. If registering a sample for a component that
has previously been sampled, you can input the LubeAnalyst number that appears on the top of
the historical analysis report. This will automatically complete all standard fields, requiring only
Equipment Life, Lubricant Life and Top-Up Volume to be completed.

If it is the first sample to be taken from the component being sampled, then the registered
equipment and component can be located by either inputting the Site ID and selecting it from the
drop down Eqpmt./Comp. box, or by searching for it by clicking the button.

Figure 20 Locating Registered Equipment/Component

Page 28
Once all fields have been completed click the button. A green message will
appear confirming the sample Data Saved Successfully.

Figure 21 Save Sample Registration

Page 29
11 Shell LubeAnalyst Sample Analysis Reports
The sample reports will detail a diagnosis, the sample status Action (Red), Caution (Amber),
Monitor (Yellow) and Normal (Green), as well as test results. Reports include graphical output
showing key diagnosis areas such as wear metals and viscosity (note that two or more samples
per component are required for trending).

11.1 Shell LubeAnalyst K1, K2 and K3 Test Suite Reports

The report is contained on one page and shows the last three sample results for oil properties,
wear metals and contamination. It also includes comments and recommendations from
the diagnostician. Sample status
indicator
LubeAnalyst for equipment/oil
condition
Sample Number : 72018311 LubeAnalyst Number : 00713198/ECO
Sample Number : 74000056 LubeAnalyst Number :
Site Name : Shell
Simplot Australia
Technical - Quoiba TAS
Helpdesk Simplot Australia
Shell Technical - Quoiba TAS 00708494/ZTU
Helpdesk
Enrolment
Site Name Equipment Ref ID : Stanwell Corp Swanbank Power Station
: #23 Stanwell CorpDepartment
Maintenance
Shell
Swanbank Power Station LubeAnalyst
andEquipment RefEquipment
ID Description : : MYCOM #23 250 Compressor Maintenance
81-85 RoadDept
Devonport
8 Redfern Road
registration number
component
Equipment Description
Component Ref ID : SB1MVA10BB001
: Swanbank
Quoiba Road
Hawthorn East
for the component
registration Component
Component Ref ID Description : : REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR TAS
Swanbank
VIC
information Manuf./Model
Component Description : Unspecified/
: B1 TURBINE MAIN Unspecified
OIL TANK 7310
QLD
3123 Customer contact information
Manuf./Model Lubricant Name : Refrigeration
Sunoil SunisoOil
: Siemens 4SA
AG/ UnspecifiedS2 FR-A 68 Australia
4305
Lubricant Name : Unspecified Unspecified SHELL CONTACTS Australia

Diagnosis Focal point 1 : Technical Helpdesk SHELL CONTACTS Focal point 1 phone : 1300 134 205
withFocal point 1 :Shell Website : http://www.shell-lubeanalyst.shell.com/
Technical Helpdesk Focal point 1 phone : 1300 134 205
possible COMMENTS
Shell Website : http://www.shell-lubeanalyst.shell.com/
causes and Results are unsatisfactory. Negligible wear is occurring. Moisture levels are high. Change oil or carry out water purification to clean up oil. Inspect for
actions DIAGNOSIS
source of moisture ingress and rectify. Advise AND RECOMMENDED
evaluating sampling ACTIONS Resample at a reduced service interval after corrective
procedures as a precaution.
action to further monitor.
Results are generally satisfactory. Laser Net Fines results indicate the compartment is in good condition.

Analysis RESULTS
results for 2091157 2192320 2424264

Sample Number 72013260 72013242 72018311

the last
Sample Condition Normal Normal Action
three Sample Date 07/02/2012 30/05/2012 18/02/2013
samples Equipment Life 45163 Hours 46158 Hours 47366 Hours
Lubricant Life 25984 Hours 26979 Hours 28187 Hours
Top-up Volume 50 Litres - -
Oil Drain No No No
Viscosity 40°C
Visc 40°C cSt 71.9 75.4 77.3
TAN (D 664)
TAN (D 664) mg KOH/g 0.15 0.17 0.13
Water Content (KF)
Water Content (KF) ppm 59 57 168
Spectrometry (Oils)
Iron (Fe) ppm 5 6 5
Chromium (Cr) ppm <1 <1 <1
Nickel (Ni) ppm <1 <1 <1
Aluminium (Al) ppm <1 <1 <1
Copper (Cu) ppm <1 <1 <1
Lead (Pb) ppm <1 <1
GRAPHS <1
Tin (Sn) ppm <1 <1 <1
Vanadium (V) ppm <1 <1 <1
Silicon (Si) ppm 17 5 <1
Sodium (Na) ppm 2 1 <1
Potassium (K) ppm <1 1 <1
Molybdenum (Mo) ppm <1 <1 <1
Manganese (Mn) ppm <1 <1 <1
Boron (B) ppm <1 <1 <1
Magnesium (Mg) ppm <1 <1 <1
Calcium (Ca) ppm <1 <1 4
Barium (Ba) ppm <1 <1 <1
Phosphorus (P) ppm <1 <1 1
Zinc (Zn) ppm 7 7 7
Wear Index (PQ)
Wear Index (PQ) 40 8 50

Trend graphs showing critical diagnosis areas for lubricant and component failures and properties

Figure 22 LubeAnalyst K1, K2 and K3 Test Suite Report

Page 30
11.2 Shell LubeAnalyst :: Advanced
Sample Number
Site Name
74000056
Test SuiteLubeAnalyst
Stanwell Corp Swanbank Power Station
Reports Number : 00708494/ZTU
Stanwell Corp Swanbank Power Station
Equipment Ref ID : Maintenance Dept

The Advanced Report is detailed over two pages. The first pageSwanbank
Equipment Description : SB1MVA10BB001 shows Roadcomments and
Component Ref ID : Swanbank
recommendations
Componentfrom the diagnostician,
Description : B1 TURBINE plus
MAIN OIL graphs
TANK on oil properties,
QLD wear metals,
Manuf./Model : Siemens AG/ Unspecified 4305
contaminationLubricant
andName additives. The :second page includes test results
Unspecified Unspecified
for the last six samples.
Australia

SHELL CONTACTS Sample status

Focal point 1 : Technical Helpdesk Focal point 1 phone : 1300 134 205 indicator
Shell Website : http://www.shell-lubeanalyst.shell.com/ LubeAnalyst for equipment/oil
condition
DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Results Number
Sample are generally satisfactory. Laser Net Fines results indicate the compartment is in goodLubeAnalyst
: 74000056 condition. Number : 00708494/ZTU
Site Name : Stanwell Corp Helpdesk
Shell Technical Swanbank Power Station Stanwell Corp Swanbank
Shell Technical Helpdesk Power Station
Enrolment Equipment Ref ID : Maintenance Dept Shell LubeAnalyst
and Equipment Description : SB1MVA10BB001 Swanbank Road
8 Redfern Road registration number
component Component Ref ID : Swanbank
Hawthorn East for the component
registration Component Description : B1 TURBINE MAIN OIL TANK QLD
VIC
information Manuf./Model : Siemens AG/ Unspecified 4305
3123 Customer contact information
Lubricant Name : Unspecified Unspecified Australia

SHELL CONTACTS

Focal point 1 : Technical Helpdesk Focal point 1 phone : 1300 134 205
Shell Website : http://www.shell-lubeanalyst.shell.com/
Diagnosis DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
with
possible Results are generally satisfactory. Laser Net Fines results indicate the compartment is in good condition.

causes and
actions

GRAPHS

12/08/2011 12/12/2011 22/06/2012 16/09/2012 16/09/2012 01/12/2012

12/08/2011 12/12/2011 22/06/2012 16/09/2012 16/09/2012 01/12/2012

GRAPHS

12/08/2011 12/12/2011 22/06/2012 16/09/2012 16/09/2012 01/12/2012

12/08/2011 12/12/2011 22/06/2012 16/09/2012 16/09/2012 01/12/2012

Trend graphs showing critical diagnosis areas for lubricant and component failures and properties
Analysis
results for Figure 23 LubeAnalyst Advanced Test Suite Report
the last
three
samples

Figure 24 Analysis Results Page 31

11.3 Shell LubeAnalyst Failure Analysis Feature
Shell LubeAnalyst’s unique failure analysis tool allows for an overview of your equipment
condition monitoring programme, indicating the number of samples and percentage categorised
as Action (Red), Caution (Amber), Monitor (Yellow) and Normal (Green). Further analysis can
also categorise all the Action (Red), Caution (Amber), Monitor (Yellow) by failure type. These
failure types can indicate the underlying reasons why the sample was diagnosed with that
condition. This helps the user to identify the areas for greatest improvement, and can also be
used to monitor reliability of site equipment.

Select Failure Analysis from the LubeAnalyst menu and manipulate the filters.

Shell Technical Helpdesk

Shell Technical Helpdesk
Hawthorn
Compressor Room
MYCOM #23 250 Compressor

07/02/2012 18/02/2013

Figure 25 Failure Analysis

There are three options for reports: Statistics, Tables and Graphs. Select your
desired type and click the button to show the report in the LubeAnalyst
website or the button to generate a PDF report.

Shell Technical Helpdesk

Shell Technical Helpdesk
Hawthorn
Compressor Room
MYCOM #23 250 Compressor

07/02/2012 18/02/2013

Figure 26 Show Report

Page 32
12 Key Contacts and More Information
For more information, please contact your Shell Account Manager, Shell Lubricants Distributor or
Reseller, Shell Lubricants Technical Advisor or the Shell Technical Helpdesk on 1300 134 209.

www.shell.com.au/lubeanalyst

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