Augustus H. Gill Award
for Oil Analysis Excellence

Introduction

The Augustus H. Gill Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in the application of used oil analysis in machine and lubricant condition monitoring. By celebrating role models within the oil analysis space, this distinguished award motivates M&R teams to improve machine reliability and maintenance quality through the application of oil analysis. As such, this award creates a means to showcase best practices among user organizations on a global scale.

The ICML Awards Committee evaluates each application based on these characteristics and criteria:

• Commitment to Education and Skills Competence
• Maintenance Culture and Management Support
• Performance Measurements Used
• Proactive/Predictive Maintenance
• Use of Standardized Procedures
• Technology Integration
• Contamination Control
• Lubrication Management
• Oil Analysis Methods and Strategies
• Use of Information Technology
• Continuous Improvement

The Gill Award

The Augustus H. Gill Award features a scale model of a torsion viscometer. It is believed that Professor Gill, in his seminal 1897 text, 'A Short Hand-book of Oil Analysis,' was the first to describe this viscometer. In the years to follow there were several viscometers advanced based on this original design, including the well-known Brookfield rotary viscometer.

Inaugural Award Presented in 2002

The inaugural 2001 Gill Award was presented to Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (Arizona Public Service) at Practicing Oil Analysis 2002 Conference and Exhibition. This was an historic event in the field of oil analysis.

Early Life and Education

Augustus Herman Gill was one of the founding fathers of oil analysis and was perhaps the first to formalize it as a field of study. Gill was born in Canton, Mass., August 1, 1864, and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in chemistry in 1884 at the age of 20. He continued on with MIT for three more years as an assistant and instructor in the Chemistry Department.

Academic and Professional Achievements

In 1890, Gill received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Leipzig University in Germany and returned to MIT to continue teaching. This was a time when the industrial revolution was fueling great interest in oil and lubricants, leading to the creation of formalized studies and research programs in the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. A throng of papers and books began to emerge into the technical literature dealing with lubrication, friction devices and physical properties analysis. One book in particular, published by Gill in 1897, entitled, 'A Short Hand-book of Oil Analysis,' is regarded as the seminal work on the subject. MIT made Gill a full professor in 1909 and emeritus professor in 1934 two years before his death.

During his tenure at MIT, Gill taught courses in oil and gas analysis and the practical testing of alkaloids, asphalt, boiler waters, casein, celluloid, essential oils, glue, inks, paper, rubber, soap and wood preservatives. In 1923, Rhode Island State College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Sc.D.

Although a professor at MIT for nearly all his career, Dr. Gill's passion for oil and lubrication led him towards practical applications rather than theoretical pursuits. He is credited as being the first person in the United States (perhaps the world) to offer formal instruction in the analysis of gases and oils. Literally thousands of MIT students attended courses on the subject from him.

Involvement in Professional Societies

Professor Gill was one of the founding members of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), D-2 Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, having first joined ASTM in 1906. The first standards from this historic committee did not begin to emerge until about 1911. Gill was an active participant and held offices in many other professional organizations including the American Chemical Society and the Oil Chemists Society.

Literary Contributions

Besides his book, 'A Short Hand-book of Oil Analysis,' published in eleven editions, he was the author of 'Gas and Fuel Analysis for Engineers' (ten editions) and "Engine Room Chemistry" (three editions). His daughter Helen Gill, also a graduate of MIT, shared his interest in oil analysis and co-authored several works with him, including, 'A Possible Test for the Oiliness of Oils' and 'Industrial and Engineering Chemistry,' May, 1926.

Honorary Recognition

Gill passed away on November 11, 1936, at the age of 72.

It was because of Professor Gill's pioneering work in oil analysis and interest in disseminating practical knowledge through education and publications that the ICML chose to honor him by offering an annual award in his name.