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Proven Results

Flow Verified, Bearings Protected

March 1, 2026

The Challenge

A compressor was experiencing premature bearing failure, raising concerns that insufficient lube oil flow might be damaging the bearing. Without confirmation of actual oil flow, the customer faced the risk of installing a permanent flow meter, rewiring equipment, and replacing components, incurring significant cost and downtime without certainty that lubrication was the issue.
The Solution

The Solution

Spartan Controls conducted an on‑site assessment using a Flexim clamp‑on ultrasonic flowmeter to measure lube oil flow directly on the existing piping. The clamp‑on solution allowed accurate flow measurement without cutting pipe, shutting down equipment, or installing permanent instrumentation.

The site visit and flow testing verified that sufficient lube oil was reaching the bearing, enabling the customer to rule out lubrication flow as the root cause and focus corrective efforts elsewhere—without altering the system or delaying operations.

The Value

The flow verification delivered clear financial and operational benefits:
 
  • $15k+
  • Avoided permanent flow meter installation, including:
    • $10,000 in wiring costs
    • $2,500 in labor
    • $5,000 for a new flow meter
  • Low‑cost diagnostic testing at $2,400
  • Protected compressor bearings by confirming adequate lubrication
  • Faster decision‑making, without unnecessary downtime or capital spend