Lubricant saves energy at German plastics plant
24 Feb 2012
Brussels – Ostendorf, one of Germany’s largest producers of plastics pipes and shaped products, has reduced energy consumption through the use of a new lubricant on its extrusion lines.
The company reported significant energy savings after switching to a new synthetic industrial gear oil for an extruder gearbox. The product – Mobil SHC Gear 220, from ExxonMobil – has also extended oil-drain intervals at the plant.
Prior to its adoption, Ostendorf carried out tests to compare the performance of the new lubricant to that of the existing lubricant being used – a mineral ISO 220 gear oil from another supplier.
The tests on a Weber extruder gearbox covered two different production cycles, using varied power consumption levels and material throughputs. The company used a testing tool – the Fluke Type 1735 – to measure energy efficiency in kW per kilogram of product.
The new lubricant demonstrated an average energy saving of 3.3% compared to the previous lubricant as well as an average 5°C reduction in gearbox temperatures.
This lower operating temperature will contribute to considerable savings over the gearbox and machine lifecycle, helping to reduce unscheduled downtime and component wear.
