10 Ways To MAX Out Your "Liquid Assets"

1. Consolidate products. Using fewer different lubricant formulas gives you the greatest
advantage in terms of cost, make-up management, handling, treatment and disposal. Fewer
different safety standards are better for workers, too.

2. Recycle or reclaim fluids. Every plant should valuate the fluids used in their facility to
determine the most cost-effective means to recycle or reclaim. Reclaiming treats the fluids with cleaning,
drying and sometimes special processes such as vacuum dehydration, centrifuge or sweetening,
to remove acids and particulate. Before reclaimed fluids are returned to service, they should be
bench-tested to assure they are still "up to spec" in terms of both their properties (viscosity,
demulsibility, etc.) and performance: their ability to cool, lubricate, and/or prevent corrosion.
Acculube offers a complete review to show you, in terms specific to your facility, what makes
the best sense for you - and why. We also offer the Acculube Custom Service Program,
which is advantageous for many users.

3. Filter your fluids. Optimizing filtration lengthens fluid life, enhances performance,
and reduces waste and disposal costs. Acculube technicians can provide valuable information
on ion exchange and particulate filtration, magnetic filtration for fine ferrous particulate, reusable
media, additive dosing and other ways to remove contaminants from fluids. We can also advise
on ways to minimize the total gallons that must be treated.

4. Prioritize maintenance. There's an optimum maintenance schedule - and drain interval -
for every fluid. If you understand the degradation cycle, and address problems such as foaming, flow
resistivity, gelling, poor valve performance or salt deposits when they first occur, the cost, in fluids and
manpower, will be low - and predictable.

5. Analyze your systems. Are you using tanks, pumps, filter housings and controls that best
fit your operation? Are there upgrades that would give you better performance, and fast return-on-investment?
Are there simple changes, such as adding a sight glass or in-line sensor, that would give you helpful,
early information at low cost? Are there things you could do to retard oxidation, minimize humidity,
prevent condensation, that would pay long-term dividends? Acculube can help you take a complete,
objective look at systems and equipment, and suggest ways to help them be more productive.

6. Check for leaks. They are hazardous to your facility, your workers, and your "bottom line!"
Seal any leaks quickly, and determine their cause. One common culprit is an obstructed return oil line
caused by deposits from oxidation or wear, but there are many others. Monitor the integrity of gaskets, too.
They are cheap, effective insurance against spills and product loss.

7. Assure products are compatible. Products are like people - if they can't work together,
something's got to go. There are always excellent substitutes that can improve chemical compatibility,
and lessen the risks of cross-contamination.

8. Know your "environmentals." Zero discharge is not always practical, but there are
excellent new strategies for getting very close, and saving dollars - and documentation - in the process.

9. Minimize disposal. We include both fluids and equipment. Use strategies that minimize drag-out,
sludge generation, and spillage. Choose filter media and housings that can be re-used; waste from process
fluids is money down the drain that's often preventable!

10. Review storage and handling practices. Tanks and transfer equipment can substantially
impact the consistency of fluids delivery, and fluids performance. Often, minor modifications can produce
immediate, continuing savings in time, dollars, and clean-up. Acculube can evaluate your storage and
handling system and provide, based on decades years of experience with many types of systems,
practical ideas for improvement.