Re-evaluation of Oil Analysis Program

ABSTRACT: It is a goal of the United States Air Force (USAF) to maintain its fleet of aircraft in a maximum state of readiness. The use of oil analysis as a means of continuous surveillance of the state of these fleets is a well-established practice which has been employed by the USAF and supported by their major equipment suppliers for decades. The United States Air Force has identified a need for review and analysis of the current practices and equipment associated with the Air Force Oil Analysis Program (AFOAP). Modifications to program schedule, processes, data and equipment may help create a more efficient effective oil analysis program. This SBIR will develop a more modern approach to oil analysis that provides a more effective process leading to improved budget efficiencies and improved safety and maintenance practices that are better aligned with USAF Condition Based Maintenance policies. Statistical justification for implementing the new approach will be stressed through continuing data analysis and validation, testing of alternative monitoring tools, and providing a plan to progress towards a more efficient paradigm. BENEFIT: An improved Air Force Oil Analysis program may yield significant budget efficiencies, and also lead to improved safety and maintenance practices that are better aligned with USAF Condition Based Maintenance policies. The review and analysis process for evaluating the current effectiveness of the AFOAP program and resulting recommendations developed from this SBIR are directly applicable to improvement of other DOD oil analysis programs as well as commercial oil analysis programs. Worldwide, there are millions of complex, oil-wetted mechanical systems operated by thousands of customers. These customers often maintain their machinery using outdated, isolated laboratory or monitoring techniques that have carried over from legacy equipment and methodologies, hence there is a substantial potential for the application of the concepts developed under this SBIR program to modernize/optimize other oil analysis programs