Last year my facility began performing oil analysis on several large rotary screw air compressors filled with "Sullube" fluid. Sullube is a PAG/POE synthetic oil which is made by Dow Chemical and is rated for 8,000 hours service life. After only 6,000 hours, Dow condemned the fluid of one compressor sighting low fluid pH (4.40) when the fluid TAN was fine (0.61). Dow explained that low pH (when all other indicators are normal) is an indication the compressor has ingested air containing acidic gases. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had similar problems or even heard of this before. And, does anyone know of any oil purification products available that will remove acids from the oil? At close to $60/gallon, I hate the thought of having to change our oil prematurely.
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