Varnish & Deposit Identification and Measurement (VIM) / Varnish & Deposit Prevention and Removal (VPR)

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ICML course on varnish and deposits, focusing on their impact on equipment reliability and performance. Covers causes of oil degradation, deposit formation mechanisms, and influencing factors. Includes oil analysis techniques to assess varnish risk and fluid condition. Provides practical methods for prevention, removal, and proactive maintenance practices, and supports ICML VIM and VPR exam preparation.

Duration:
14 hours
Schedule:
3
days
Delivery:
Audience:
  • Maintenance Engineers
  • Reliability Engineers
  • Condition Monitoring Professionals
  • Lubricant Analysts and Engineers
Objectives:
  • Develop expertise in varnish detection and mitigation.
  • Understand how breakdown products become deposits.
  • Use oil analysis tools to assess varnish risk and fluid health.
  • Apply proactive practices to minimize oil degradation.
  • Compare technologies for varnish removal and prevention.
  • Prepare for the ICML VIM and VPR certification exams.
Required Prerequisites:

  • None

Recommended Prerequisites:

  • None

Additional Requirements:
Candidates must hold either MLA I or MLT I certifications OR have a minimum of 1 year of experience in lubrication.
Program:

Day 1

  • Introduction to varnish and deposits and their impact on equipment reliability
  • Problems caused by varnish: flow restriction, stiction, filter plugging, efficiency loss, and bearing issues
  • Lubricant breakdown mechanisms and varnish precursors
  • nfluence of base oil groups, additive chemistry, and contamination
  • Effects of temperature, oxidation, microdieseling, and electrostatic discharge

 

Day 2

  • Proactive methods to minimize oil breakdown and maintain fluid health
  • Deposit formation chemistry: solubility, polarity, saturation, and agglomeration
  • Technologies for varnish removal and prevention, with pros and cons
  • Oil analysis techniques to assess varnish risk and lubricant condition
  • Linking analysis results to corrective and preventive actions

 

Day 3

  • ICML Exam: Each certification exam consists of 25 multiple‑choice questions administered over 45 minutes. A score of 70% is required to pass.

 

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