Complete oil analysis technique

An on-line method for analyzing oil for antioxidant depletion, oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, or liquid contamination, or combinations thereof, comprising the steps of:

• attaching electrodes to a source of a sample of oil,
• applying an electric potential of a first value to the sample to produce an electric current therethrough;
• varying the potential from the first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction;
• varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction;
• varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction;
• varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction;
• measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions;
• and
• measuring the conductance of the oil.

An on-line method for analyzing oil for oxidation initiator buildup, product buildup, and liquid contamination, comprising the steps of:

• placing electrodes with a temperature probe or heating element attached thereto in an on-line sample reservoir,
• applying an electrical potential of a first value to a sample in said on-line sample reservoir to produce an electric current therethrough;
• varying the potential from first value to a second value to produce an oxidation reaction;
• varying the potential from the second value to the first value to produce a reduction reaction;
• varying the potential from the first value to a third value to produce a reduction reaction;
• varying the potential from the third value to the first value to produce an oxidation reaction;
• measuring and recording the current during the oxidation and reduction reactions;
• measuring the conductance of the oil and
• removing the electrodes and temperature probe or heating element from said on-line sample reservoir when the analysis is concluded.