Lube-Tech Figure 5: Schematic of test rig (Image credit: GE Hydro Renewable Energy, GE Hydro Solutions).
The fluid performed well in all operating conditions including high load and low speed operation (mixed friction regime). There was no damage to bearing pad surface even after a high load (13Mpa) crash test. The rig could not induce failure of the fluid film. At speeds of 400-800 rpm and applied loads up to 13 Mpa, the fluid maintained a uniform hydrodynamic film, protecting the bearing and runner surfaces from damage. The next stage of the fluid assessment under real service conditions will be a trial at the Porjus Hydroelectric Power Station in Sweden. The Porjus Hydroelectric Power Station is Europe’s pre-eminent hydropower research and development facility operated by Porjus Hydropower Centre Foundation, a joint collaboration between Andritz, GE Renewable Energy, and Vattenfall.
Conclusions Esters remain an important class of base oil in formulating modern bio-lubricants; however, when designing for sustainability from the outset, there continues to be significant innovation in molecular and polymer design of base oils which are driving performance improvements while fulfilling the requirements for stricter environmental regulations aimed at creating safer and more sustainable lubricants. The novel secondary polyol ester (SPE) base oils are a new class of hybrid base oil that tailor
PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
No.144 page 5
the combined functional advantages of PAGs and the environmental attributes of esters. Using the secondary ester bonds to slow hydrolysis and careful control of the molecular weight of hybrid components in the oil, high biodegradability, non-toxicity and non-bioaccumulation can be achieved while improving performance. Preliminary field performance testing of formulated lubricants using SPEs in equipment for hydropower turbines is demonstrating their potential as superior alternatives to conventional products. By choosing SPE base oils in their lubricants, formulators can now reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals while improving performance without compromise.
References (1) S.Z. Erhan and A. Adhvaryu, Vegetable-based base stocks, ‘Biobased Industrial Fluids and Lubricants’, Ed. S.Z. Erhan and J.M. Perez, pp. 1-20.
(2) S. Boyde, Chapter 3, Esters, ‘Synthetics, Mineral Oils and Bio-based Lubricants’, Ed. L. R. Rudnick, pp. 46-76.
(3) M. Greaves, Chapter 6, Polyalkylene glycols, ‘Synthetics, Mineral Oils and Bio-based Lubricants’, Ed. L. R. Rudnick, pp. 119-145.
(4) Z. Hunt, VBASE Oils, CMF Plus, ‘Tribology and Lubrication Technology’, Nov. 2022, pp. 96-98.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Water Power Technologies Office under Award Number DE-SC0018751
For more information, contact: +18645022321,
info@vbaseoil.com
vbaseoil.com
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.173 FEBRUARY 2023
31
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
