Historically, water contaminated oil has been said to exist in two states:

• Dissolved water (bound molecularly in the matrix of the oil)
• Free water (not molecularly bound)

In the last 30 years or so, most of the literature, including Noria’s publications, refer to water as having three states. Free water has been redefined as being water that, by force of gravity, will phase out of the oil. This means it will separate below (most common) or above the oil phase depending on oil density.

The new third state is emulsified water. Water that is held tightly in micro-globules in the oil is no longer referred to as free water. Instead, it has been more accurately referred to as emulsified water, or a “micro-emulsion”.

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There has been much said in recent years about the increased propensity of some modern oil formulations to produce sludge and varnish. Ironically, many of the oils accused of contributing to varnish are the same oils endowed with exceptionally high oxidation stability due to advanced refining technology and formulation science. To better understand this paradox, let’s begin by defining a new term.Lubricants have an intrinsic Impurity- holding Capacity (IHC) relating to their ability to retain very small (submicron) impurities in solution. These impurities are largely oil-degradation products, but include other oil suspensions as well.

This holding capacity is like an imaginary silo or cup within the oil. If the cup is half empty, it has unutilized or reserve capacity. However, conditions can occur that can cause an overfill, leading to insoluble suspensions in the oil and varnish (sometimes called the “dumping point”).

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