State-of-the-art Food-Grade Lubricants Contribute to Economic Success

Regarding the lubricant as an investment in economic efficiency rather than just as a commodity, pays off in many ways. Of course, the price of the lubricant is a factor, but it is more important to look at the entire cost-benefit calculation of a given application. If synthetic high-performance lubricants tuned to the particular application are used, the total cost of operation decreases. Such lubricants help to save costs even though their purchase price is higher than that of standard lubricants as price is just the tip of the iceberg; hence the potential for cost savings can only be detected on a second look. There, hiding from first sight, are the savings in standstill costs, maintenance, energy, spare parts, storage, disposal and of course lubricant consumption that speciality food-grade synthetic lubricants contribute to.

Bearing Lubrication

When it comes to bearing lubrication, speciality greases also ensure extended maintenance intervals. One such recent example is the water pump bearings on a pea processing production unit.

The process lines wash and provide fresh garden peas to their 20 canning lines over the 3-month pea processing season; it is vital that processing can be almost continuous. In previous years, the bearings on the water pumps had been suffering from unreliability during use and failure of two or three of these bearings during the processing season had not been uncommon. Each failure resulted in 1.5 hours’ downtime while the bearings were replaced and would halt the processing of up to 8 tonnes of peas or 25,000 cans, valued at over £10,000.

The customer changed their currently specified white-oil based lubricant to the PAO- based Klüberfood NH1 14-261, providing excellent water resistance and wear reduction characteristics that would enable longer bearing life. No bearing related failures occurred during the 2011 season saving significant cost and time.

Energy Saving and Carbon Footprint

Another important saving factor is energy costs. Often speciality lubricants decrease the current consumption compared to standard lubricants, especially when used for the lubrication of compressors or gears. The efficiency increase can amount up to 18 % due to the improved lubricity and lubrication behaviour of synthetic oils, leading directly to lower operating costs.

One such example is in recent work with a major brewing group. With gear power of 450kW, air compressor power of 300kW and refrigeration of 200kW, savings potential was significant.

As a result of the move to synthetic lubricants, some £20,000 per annum in energy costs savings were made. With further measurement, this equated to some 100tonnes reduction in their carbon footprint.

Delivering Benefits and Lubrication Management

KlüberEfficiencySupport delivers these exceptional lubricants in a package designed to manage lubrication across site. Ensuring the right product in the right place at the right frequency and volume minimises lubricator tasks minimising personal risk. Add this to typical 10% reduction in lubricants used, customer measured significant reductions in power consumption and not only is safety the right thing, it’s the economic choice.

With the unrivalled expertise and experience in lubrication management offered by KlüberEfficiencySupport linked to the highest standards of production and product quality, Klüber Lubricants are an integral part of machine safety and reliability.

In conclusion, regarding lubricants as a machine element whose quality contributes to the performance capacity of plants and machines means choosing the right product. If the lubricant lives up to the requirements of a particular application over the specified time, substantial costs savings in lost production, personnel demands and materials can be made. Lubricants tuned to the application at hand help to avoid such costs and are instrumental for trouble-free operation of plants and machines.

Speciality lubricants also help to combine economic and environmental-friendly operation. High-performance lubricants tailored to a particular application facilitate reliable low- or minimum-quantity lubrication while making efficient use of energy and therefore contribute to conserving resources.

Partner with your lubricant supplier and start by explaining your aims. Identifying any operating issues is key, and once the solution is found, significant savings in time, parts and production can be made.