Sloan Lubrication Systems was recently featured in an article in Compressor Tech 2 titled, "Run to Fail, or Run to Damage?" In this article we discuss the importance of preventative maintenance on divider block lubrication systems, ponder aloud the continued challenges gas compressor operators face with lubrication failure despite well understood ways to prevent it. We suggest you read the article, but to cut to the chase, we think these problems are from lack of training and maintenance.

When we encounter equipment damaged by lubrication failure, the first question we ask is, "When were the divider blocks last tested?"

We get a mix of answers, but the one we dread the most is, "Never; these systems are flagged run-to-fail." We dread this answer because it means we have failed. Whenever we deliver or install a new system, our job is not complete until the customer has the training, tools, and understanding needed to be successful. If we have done our job right, the customer knows just how risky "run-to-fail" truly is.

Divider blocks play a critical role in the system’s ability to "fail-safe." This means that if something goes wrong, the system will shut down before damage occurs. To guarantee fail-safe operation, divider blocks must be tested regularly.This is because divider blocks are machined with extremely tight tolerances, measured in ten-millionths of an inch (.00001). This tolerance between the piston and the bore is where the magic happens. If it is too loose, oil can bypass the piston, potentially starving higher-pressure outlets. If it is too tight, the metal of the piston and the bore can damage each other, creating wear patterns that become leak paths.If a divider block leaks, it is no longer fail-safe. It is the block's ability to deadhead against pressure that triggers a shutdown signal before equipment damage occurs; if they leak, they may not hold that pressure. Regularly testing divider blocks ensures that excessive wear is caught before the system is compromised. Depending on the application, this could happen in five years or one year. The only way to know is to test.

Every year the Sloan Team trains hundreds of compressor operators and operators of other lubricated equipment. We offer in-person courses where we train on a customer’s equipment, courses at our factory in Freeport Pennsylvania, and virtual options, where we set up a presentation for your team online.

It is equally important to have the right equipment to do preventative maintenance right. You can’t test a divider block if you do not have a test pump. Sloan Lubrication Systems has a range of test pump options, including our newly redesigned Hand Operated Purge Pump, all of which are designed to be able to generate and hold the pressure necessary to test divider blocks.