1 . What is the role of a lubricant in the food processing industry?
Effective lubrication is a necessity to keep bearings and other machine components such as conveyors, mixers, pulverisers, dough preparation units, motors, grinders, pumps, hot air fans, in food processing machines to operate smoothly. The lubricant should be able to meet operating requirements such as ability to withstand high or low temperatures, high speeds, varying loads as well as contend challenging scenarios such as exposure to acidic/alkaline mediums, entry of processed food particles into lubrication zone etc. Lubricant used should be of special formulation to meet the operational requirements and at the same time should confirm to the stringent food regulation norms mandated by certifying bodies such as NSF/ISO. The guidelines disallow hazardous ingredients and limit use of additives essential for performance under the operating parameters mentioned. The objective is to minimize the effect of contamination even in case of incidental contact or direct contact.
Recommended based on the application requirements, food grade greases and oils aim to lubricate equipment and prevent physical wear that can occur through metal to metal contact, during food processing. Along with lubrication, it provides an additional benefit of heat removal and flush away contaminants from the lubricated surface of the bearings.
Food grade greases are formulated with special type of base oils and thickeners and are designed to render optimum lubrication to frictional surfaces, resist ingress of water. These greases should be inert to acidic medium as most of the processed food are acidic in nature. Absence of grease can severely corrode bearings and chains of the machinery.
Food grade oils are generally formulated with a blend of base fluids (white mineral oil or synthetic fluid) having higher solubilization and lubricity which can penetrate into the areas that are difficult to reach, example conveyors and chain links.
The additive packages generally render unique properties to the lubricating grease and oil such as oxidation stability, thermal stability, good pumpability, mechanical stability, corrosion protection, load absorbing property, water resistance etc. making it suitable to combat with all environmental odds typically present in food processing industries.
Prominent lubricant brands have specialized range of food grade certified greases and oils that are recommended based on possible level of exposure/contact as well as application requirement.
BECHEM is one of the pioneers of speciality lubricants and has a wide range of food grade certified greases and oils for applications in the food, beverage and pharma processing industries. For more details, https://www.bechemindia.com/lu...s/food-grade-grease/
