PREMIUM LUBRICANTS IMPROVE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT PRODUCTIVITY
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT •
Image supplied by ISO-Reliability Partners
PREMIUM LUBRICANTS IMPROVE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT PRODUCTIVITY
Lubrication in large open-gear systems .
Dramatic improvements in plant and equipment productivity are possible through innovative solutions and superior performance lubricants from ISO-Reliability Partners . “ In all instances , we work together with end users to deliver on our promises of higher availability and reliability of production and processing equipment ,” says Craig FitzGerald . Benefits include increased production , lower cost of operation , reduced electricity consumption , and lower carbon footprint .
Past experience with converting mills to CLEAR GEAR ® has seen a power consumption reduction of about 12 % and reduced pinion vibration of up to 15 %.
However , in recent years , many of these lead-containing products have been removed from the market as it is classified as hazardous waste material . The resulting products have led to diminished performance with less protection for gears .
Where asphaltic products have traditionally been used , there is often a build-up of hardened lubricant product in the roots of the gears . This build-up presents multiple problems related to cleaning and mechanical interference that can result in root build-up or stress on the pedestal mountings .
Modern large gear systems are often overloaded , and to attempt to cope with the problem , operators apply increased amounts of lubricant – usually two to three times more than recommended by the American Gear Manufacturers ’ Association .
The company collaborates with brands such as Bel-Ray and Royal Purple to achieve the best possible output performance from machinery . “ We have strong relationships with the world ’ s premier lubrication manufacturers ,” says FitzGerald . Product offerings include environmentally accepted lubricants , biodegradable lubricants , non-toxic and food-grade lubricants , and EU Ecolabel certification .
In an environment where stricter government regulations are in direct contradiction to reducing operating costs , more manufacturing plants should be turning their attention to lubrication reliability best practices .
Speaking about lubrication in large open gear systems , FitzGerald explains that , historically , manufacturing plants with open gear systems have made use of asphaltic compounds to provide a ‘ cushioning ’ effect . A vast majority of these open gear compounds contained lead , which ultimately provided protection for the gears .
Due to the lubricant ’ s ability to remain on the gear , hydrocarbon contamination of the process fluid is eliminated , leading to increased recovery of Platinum Group Metals ( PGMs ) by between 0.75 % to 1 %.
In response to the problems associated with traditional open gear lubricants , global leading lubrication manufacturer Bel-Ray specifically developed CLEAR GEAR ®, a heavy-duty synthetic oil designed to provide protection for high-load , heavy-shock applications such as large shrouded open gears used in the mining , mineral processing and cement industries .
As the official distributor for the Bel-Ray lubricants in South Africa , ISO-Reliability Partners has been instrumental in the implementation of lubrication programmes using the product at manufacturing plants across southern Africa . These include Sibanye Platinum ’ s site in Rustenburg and DRDGold in the North West .
Past experience with converting mills to CLEAR GEAR ® has seen a power consumption reduction of about 12 % and reduced pinion vibration of up to 15 %. Due to the lubricant ’ s ability to remain on the gear , hydrocarbon contamination of the process fluid is eliminated , leading to increased recovery of Platinum Group Metals ( PGMs ) by between 0.75 % to 1 %.
Noise levels have also been reduced in line with Sibanye ’ s ‘ Zero Harm ’ philosophy .
“ Proprietary micro fine filtration systems and premium lubricants provide customers with total asset protection , improved power efficiency , decreased environmental contamination , extended equipment life , increased production , and improved reliability and availability of the plant ,” says FitzGerald . •
Source : supplied by ISO-Reliability Partners
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