How do you know if your oil analysis program is providing you the information you need to make proper maintenance decisions? This case study focuses on how a power plant was utilizing an oil analysis program, but was not getting value out of the information provided. Working together with a commercial laboratory, they were able to restructure their lube oil sampling program resulting in a documented savings of over $100,000 in the first year.

Osceola Generation Station is a 600MW power plant. The plant had experienced a number of unit trips, plugged filters, and sticking servo valves in their control system. All of these resulting in additional Operation and Maintenance costs. However, the oil analysis reports continued to come back with "Normal" reports.