Dow’s polyalkylene glycol lubricant for sugar mills

In the sugarcane crushing process, grease or mineral oils are widely used for roller bearing lubrication. Asphaltic oil, polyisobutylene (PIB) or blends of PIB and asphaltic oil represent a typical mineral oil composition. The Dow Chemical Company owns unique polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricant technology for lubricating equipment used in the sugarcane process. As a replacement for mineral oil, the PAG lubricant represents a new and alternative choice for sugarcane customers to improve lubrication and reduce bearing temperature. To validate the performance of UCONTM SL17000 high viscosity PAG lubricant, a field trial was arranged in a sugar mill in Brazil in 2010 to replace asphaltic oil. After one season crushing with UCON SL17000, there was no sludge or deposit formation in the bearings or on equipment surfaces. The average bearing temperature was 37?C, which is much less than 46?C when running with asphaltic oils. Lubricant consumption was reduced to 2.5 g/t of sugarcane from 9 g/t operating with asphaltic oils. Besides the above improved performance, UCONTM SL17000 PAG lubricant can eliminate toxicity concerns in case of incidental leakage because of its FDA compliance and its H-1 accreditation (21CFR178.3570). It is very easily cleaned off with water because it is water soluble. The conversion from asphaltic oil or other oils to UCONTM SL17000 PAG lubricant does not require any change or adjustment of the lubrication stem. To convert from grease to UCONTM SL17000 PAG lubricant, bearings should be changed with good seal bearings to minimize the leakage loss, the central feeding system is suitable for a liquid lubricant.