Gas generators used in compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations operate continuously under high load and severe environmental conditions. These operating conditions expose generator components to friction, wear, contamination, thermal stress, and lubrication degradation. Effective lubrication management and preventive maintenance are therefore essential for maintaining operational reliability, reducing downtime, and extending equipment life. This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of lubrication performance and preventive maintenance strategies for gas generators used in CNG refueling stations. The study critically reviews previous research related to tribology, lubricant degradation, oil contamination, predictive maintenance, vibration monitoring, lubrication optimization, and condition monitoring techniques. The paper also discusses modern data-driven maintenance systems and intelligent lubrication management approaches. The findings indicate that proper lubrication analysis combined with predictive and preventive maintenance significantly improves generator efficiency, reliability, and operational safety.
Publication Date: 2026-06-15