I have suppliers clamming that their industrial lubricants will save us energy but they can only offer testimony’s as proof. Are there any lubrication energy efficiency standards other then API's auto oil donut stamp?
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Hi Jay
A simple way to tell if there is an advantage from an "energy saving" lubricant is to check the machine amperage whilst operating before applying the new lubricant, also oil test and check cleaness of existing lubriant.
Next apply the new lubricant, check the new lubricant cleaness is similar and then recheck the amperage whilst operating.
If there is an advantage it should appear as a power saving and also consider if there are other savings like extended lubricant life from using synthetics etc.
regards
Rob S
rttech.com.au
A simple way to tell if there is an advantage from an "energy saving" lubricant is to check the machine amperage whilst operating before applying the new lubricant, also oil test and check cleaness of existing lubriant.
Next apply the new lubricant, check the new lubricant cleaness is similar and then recheck the amperage whilst operating.
If there is an advantage it should appear as a power saving and also consider if there are other savings like extended lubricant life from using synthetics etc.
regards
Rob S
rttech.com.au
Jay,
In addition the comments from Rob, it is very important that you measure the amount of work done with each test fluid as well. It may be possible that the power consumption is constant but that cycle times are reduced with energy-efficient lubricants.
In industrial applications (stationary plant) the picture might be further complicated if the automated control systems are tuned to certain sytem efficiency assumptions. If you increase the system efficiency through lubricant technology you might consider re-tuning the control system to take advantage of the additional power.
What type of lubricant are you looking at? I have seen efficiency improvements from friction-modified gear oils and also from multi-grade hydraulic fluids.
On the subject of hydraulic fluids, the National Fluid Power Association has proposed a standard for energy saving hydraulic fluid. There was a paper presented on this at the STLE meeting last month. They referenced to the website www.mehf.com for technical details on the concept.
Hope that helps.
In addition the comments from Rob, it is very important that you measure the amount of work done with each test fluid as well. It may be possible that the power consumption is constant but that cycle times are reduced with energy-efficient lubricants.
In industrial applications (stationary plant) the picture might be further complicated if the automated control systems are tuned to certain sytem efficiency assumptions. If you increase the system efficiency through lubricant technology you might consider re-tuning the control system to take advantage of the additional power.
What type of lubricant are you looking at? I have seen efficiency improvements from friction-modified gear oils and also from multi-grade hydraulic fluids.
On the subject of hydraulic fluids, the National Fluid Power Association has proposed a standard for energy saving hydraulic fluid. There was a paper presented on this at the STLE meeting last month. They referenced to the website www.mehf.com for technical details on the concept.
Hope that helps.
First some history. I work at a large waste water treatment facility. We are testing the lubrication as advised but there are many factors involved that we cannot account for. Some measuring equipment is broken and others are nonexistent. The products we are testing are made by Primrose. We are testing three different lubricants in three different applications but only looking at amperage and a few other factors. We are not evaluating it in a controlled environment or comparing it to other equivalent products (in one we had a mineral oil and this is synthetic).
Energy usage is affected by many factors that we have no control of and were not able to record such as.
Air temperature (for blower)
Humidity (for blower)
Sludge blanket thickness
Density of the fluids
Volumes (Air, wastewater, and sludge)
What equipment was running that might impact the readings since different days may have different equipment down.
As a general rule of thumb the lubricants should flow better in warmer weather, therefore, we should be saving lubricant related energy no matter what.
We are trying to duplicate the conditions as best we can but, without this being tested in comparison with other products, in a controlled environment, we have not proved anything.
Energy usage is affected by many factors that we have no control of and were not able to record such as.
Air temperature (for blower)
Humidity (for blower)
Sludge blanket thickness
Density of the fluids
Volumes (Air, wastewater, and sludge)
What equipment was running that might impact the readings since different days may have different equipment down.
As a general rule of thumb the lubricants should flow better in warmer weather, therefore, we should be saving lubricant related energy no matter what.
We are trying to duplicate the conditions as best we can but, without this being tested in comparison with other products, in a controlled environment, we have not proved anything.
