Lube-Tech COMPONENTS OF TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP (TCO)
PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
No.111 page 2
PARTNERING FOR INNOVATION EXCELLENCE Whether it’s a turbine, transformer or stationary engine, every piece of power generation machinery or transmission/ distribution transformer made by different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) has its own specific oil requirements.
OEMs define the minimum requirements for lubricants but for critical equipment, lubricants that exceed rather than simply meet these standards can prove a worthwhile investment. Technical Partnerships with customers, including OEMs and utilities companies, help steer the development of oils and greases for the latest equipment technology. Field trials with customers also validate performance in real-life scenarios and demonstrate how products can help improve equipment performance, efficiency and reliability.
The process of creating a new lubricant – from selecting components, to rigorously testing the formulation and conducting field trials – is highly complex and can take several years. In some cases, lubricants evolve over decades, with developments in chemistry and technology innovations. A lubricant’s precise blend of base oil and additive package helps ensure that it is able to deliver optimum performance for the longest possible time in a cost-effective manner.
THE FOUR KEY FUNCTIONS OF LUBRICANTS The four key functions each play a different role in helping to cut TCO. Achieving the best balance of functions can help maximise the impact on TCO and equipment efficiency:
1. Reduce friction – Lubricants form a fluid barrier between moving surfaces. This reduces friction between them, helping maintain smooth running and limit wear.
2. Clean and Sealing – Lubricants flush away contaminants, removing dirt and wear particles from vital areas for removal via filtration. Many lubricants also contain active detergents for more powerful cleaning. Greases have a sealing effect, to help keep out contamination.
3. Protect – Lubricants prevent corrosion caused by acids, water and other agents by coating surfaces with a protective barrier and through inhibitors that neutralise harmful chemicals. Greases also form a physical barrier to protect against contamination.
4. Cool – Lubricants absorb excess heat from high temperature zones and transfer it away for cooling. This allows the equipment to function efficiently.
LUBRICATION CHALLENGES
For any piece of equipment, the design characteristics, how it is fuelled and its operational parameters all pose different challenges for lubrication.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.140 AUGUST 2017 29
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