Gear oil improves extruder energy efficiency by 3.3% 21 February 2012

Ostendorf, one of Germany's largest plastic pipes and producers, is reporting significant energy efficiency gains, since using Mobil SHC Gear 220 in an extruder gearbox.

The lubricant is part of ExxonMobil's new line-up of high performance, fully-synthetic industrial gear oils, and has delivered a 3.3% energy efficiency improvement.

The company was already using Mobilgear SHC XMP Series lubricants in other applications, and says it wanted to investigate the potential for performance improvements using ExxonMobil's new oils.

A field trial was set up, comparing the new Mobil SHC Gear 220 on a Weber extruder gearbox with the existing lubricant and alternative mineral ISO 220 gear oil – and running with two production cycles, involving different power consumption and material throughputs.

A Fluke 1735 tester measured energy efficiency in kW per kilogram of product, and the results demonstrated a 3.3% energy saving using Mobil SHC Gear 220, as well as an average 5°C reduction in gearbox temperatures.

Andrea Jacobsen, EMEA industrial marketing manager for ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company, makes the point that this lower operating temperature will contribute to additional savings over the gearbox and machine lifecycle – probably also helping to reduce unscheduled downtime.

"Energy costs are one of the highest burdens on manufacturing companies and any reduction in consumption has an immediate and beneficial impact on the bottom line," comments Jacobsen.

Brian Tnham

Related Companies
ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties

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