I've been looking everywhere for pump oil recommendations and it seems that almost everyone recommends or markets a non-detergent oil for triplex plunger pumps. Other than the typical warning ("Never use motor oil or other detergent oil"), it does not seem that there is a whole lot of why these pumps would require non-detergent oil. So here is the big question I have: Does anyone have a good explanation of why these pumps require non-detergent oil and specifically recommend against detergent-containing oils?
It would seem to me that in an environment like this one where water contamination is expected, sump sizes are small and equipment is moved frequently, that an oil with high levels of dispersants and corrosion inhibitors would protect equipment better than ND products. A water-in-oil emulsion would lubricate better than pure water, which you might expect to encounter if you had a oil-water phase separation in a splash lubricated crank. Not to mention that some of the most effective petroleum-based rust and corrosion inhibitors are detergents.
So again, what is the reasoning??
It would seem to me that in an environment like this one where water contamination is expected, sump sizes are small and equipment is moved frequently, that an oil with high levels of dispersants and corrosion inhibitors would protect equipment better than ND products. A water-in-oil emulsion would lubricate better than pure water, which you might expect to encounter if you had a oil-water phase separation in a splash lubricated crank. Not to mention that some of the most effective petroleum-based rust and corrosion inhibitors are detergents.
So again, what is the reasoning??
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