Overview
When a Dublin industrial gas supplier ran oil analysis on a critical Cooper compressor in November 2025, the results were alarming: an MPC™ value of 57 — nearly four times the industry alarm threshold of 15 — with antioxidants depleted to just 37%. Left unaddressed, the varnish buildup risked valve sticking, bearing damage, and an unplanned shutdown.
Rather than take the compressor offline, the plant applied half a drum of DECON™ in-service, with no downtime. Powered by patented SOLVANCER® chemistry, DECON™ dissolves varnish deposits from internal surfaces and holds them in suspension for removal. Follow-up sampling just days later confirmed a dramatic turnaround.
The results, within 24 hours:
- 86% MPC reduction — from 57 down to 7.7
- ISO cleanliness improved from 22/20/16 to 18/16/13
- Varnish potential dropped from critical to well below the alarm threshold
- Zero downtime — treatment performed entirely in-service
- €258,500 estimated savings at a 75x return on treatment cost
From four times the alarm threshold to well below it — in a single day, without stopping the compressor.
Problem
A November 2025 oil analysis at a Dublin industrial gas supplier revealed an MPC of 57 on a critical Cooper compressor — nearly four times the alarm threshold — with antioxidants depleted to 37%. Facing valve sticking and unplanned shutdown, the plant applied half a drum of DECON in-service, with no downtime. Follow-up sampling confirmed the turnaround within days.
At an industrial gas company in Ireland, oil analysis conducted in November 2025 returned a Membrane Patch Colorimetry (MPC) value of 57 for a critical compressor which is well above the industry alarm threshold of 15 and approaching critical levels. The cleanliness level at that time was 22/20/16 (ISO 4406), indicating elevated particulate contamination in the oil system. RULER® antioxidant analysis showed phenolic antioxidants had depleted to 37.3% of fresh oil levels, indicating the oil’s remaining protective capacity was significantly reduced. If this was left unaddressed, continued oxidative degradation would accelerate varnish formation and risk servo valve sticking, bearing damage, and unplanned shutdown.
Solution
A&S International recommended that Fluitec’s DECON was used. DECON was purchased in drum quantity, with half the drum applied to the compressor oil system. DECON uses patented SOLVANCER® chemistry which dissolves varnish deposits from internal surfaces and return them to the oil in suspension for removal. The treatment was conducted entirely in-service with no interruption to compressor operations.
Oil samples were taken before and after treatment to track the response. The post-treatment sample was collected on 19th November 2025, just days after the DECON application.
Results
- MPC reduced from 57 to 7.7 which is a 86% reduction within 24 hours of DECON application
- ISO cleanliness improved from 22/20/16 to 18/16/13, reflecting removal of degradation by-products
- Varnish potential dropped from critical range to well below the industry alarm threshold of 15
- No compressor downtime required as full treatment performed in-service
- Remaining DECON retained for top-up dosing as required to maintain oil condition
The MPC reduction from 57 to 7.7 in under 24 hours is a strong demonstration of DECON’s rapid varnish dissolution capability. Ongoing oil analysis monitoring is planned into Q1 2026 to track continued oil health, and top-up dosing with the remaining DECON will be applied as needed to sustain clean oil conditions.