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Use of readily biodegradable oils - with focus on forestry
In the past years there has been a significant pressure across industry sectors to reduce environmental impact
and protect the natural environment. Many companies are adopting lean and green initiatives as the right
thing to do, where others are pushed by regulatory systems of individual industry sectors. The world of
industrial lubricants, oils and greases is no different to respond the calls for reduced
educed ecological footprint.
footprint
Thanks to modern science and technology, suitable environmentally responsible alternatives are now available
to easily replace the usual petroleum based products.
As suitable, it is understood it works better and environmentally responsible, that it is readily biodegradable
(the
the material is easily decomposed by bacteria in natural environment) and also ecologically non-toxic.
non
What
actually are the so called “bio-lubricants
lubricants” and how they differ in quality?
Chemical background in a nutshell
The category of readily biodegradable lubricants includes:
includes
rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, jatropha, etc.) – produced by cold pressing
a) Oils of vegetable origin (rapeseed,
b) Synthetic ester oils (saturated/unsaturated) - typically manufactured by synthesis of the higher fatty acids
with a fatty alcohol
From chemical point of view, both of these oil
groups contain bonded fatty acids in their
molecules. Fatty acids are substances consisting of
a long molecule carbon chain, where every two
atoms are bonded by a chemical bond. The chemical
bond is either "single" or "double".
". Double bonds are
stronger and require extra care during processing.
processing
Fatty acids are further categorised according to
two criteria:
teria: the length of the carbon chain and the
number of double bonds in the chain. Fatty acids made
only by single bonds and no double bond are being
referred to as "saturated".. Fatty acids containing one
or more double bonds are "unsaturated
unsaturated", where one
double bond classifies as "monounsaturated”
monounsaturated” and more
than one double bond as "polyunsaturated".
The concept of readily biodegradability consists of linear composition of carbon atoms in the molecules,
molecules which
enables the bacteria present in natural environment to decompose these atoms easily into CO2 and H2O. The
amount of CO2 produced by this decomposition is equal to the amount of CO2 that is absorbed by the plant
within the initial photosynthesis.. In other words, there is a neutral greenhouse gas (CO2) effect.
Pacific Bio Lubricants Limited
imited
11H Piermark Drive, North Harbour
Auckland 0632, New Zealand
Postal: PO Box 35085, Auckland 0753
Sales and Technical Support
Phone: +64 9 9734390
NZ Freephone: 0800 582 326
Email:info@lubeco.co.nz
To classify as readily biodegradable oil 60%
and more of the material must be easily
decomposed by the biological
iological mechanism
without possessing any toxic
ic hazard to the
fauna or flora in a short period of time
(21/28days).. For users it pays off to verify
level of biodegradability, which can vary and
indirectly reflects true quality of the product.
From environmental aspect itt is equally important that the oil is ecologically non toxic in soil, surface and
ground water. Remember that 1 litre of a leaked petroleum based oil can contaminate up to 1 million litres of
water!
Hence, the use of high quality biodegradable
degradable oils is of fundamental importance from the environmental point
of view. Particularly for applications where the oil is in direct contact with soil or water systems,
system either due to
the method of use (total loss lubrication of saws, harvesters, separation oils, etc.) or
o as unwanted effect of
accidental leakage (earth works, forestry, marine, construction, mining, etc.).
etc.
Lubrication of the chains and bars of mechanical or stationary saws
Owing to our expertise based on many years of practical experience as
the leading specialised manufacturer of LUBECOTM products we found
that cold-pressed rape seed oil is best suited for applications with
emphasis on minimising environmental footprint.
footprint
Rape seed oil extruded by cold pressing provides outstanding thermooxidative stability whilst retaining its natural antioxidants, specifically
Vitamin E (TCP-tocopherols). The base bio oil possesses excellent lubricating properties and natural adhesion
to metal, far greater than conventional
ventional mineral oils. Due to its chemical
chemical nature, the cold-pressed
cold
rapeseed oil
presents lower oxidative stability, which is primarily counteracted by modern non-toxic
toxic antioxidant additives
to ensure superior oxidative stability, prior further manufacturing. The
T base bio oil is further blended
blen
with
unique mixture of adsorptive anticorrosion,
anticorrosion anti-wear (AW), extreme pressure (EP) and pour point-lowering
additives ensuring maximum protection
and enabling use also throughout the
winter season.
A strong warning
ing against the use of low
quality products, new or used deep-frying
oil must be issued here. Such oils do not
contain any anti-oxidative
anti
protection and
their kinematic viscosity is absolutely
unsuitable.. A continuous use is associated
with a high hazard of polymers (sediments)
build up, which would ultimately block
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oilers (filters if in use) and potentially cause damage to bars and other parts of the equipment.
equipment Always make
sure you use a high quality lubricant to protect your high value capital assets and reduce maintenance costs.
LUBECOTM Bar&Chain Oil range is good example of premium quality product manufactured up
the highest standards. This fact has been recognised by the awarded certification of
environmental excellence - the EU Ecolabel. LUBECOTM Bar&Chain Oil provides
rovides excellent
lubricating, thermo-oxidative and pouring properties. Recommended kinematic viscosity for
the New Zealand region is ISO VG 100 and ISO VG 150 mm2/s at 40°C as per ISO 3448
standard.
Hydraulic fluids
Globally, in the face of growing regulations, operators of hydraulic equipment are being required to use
readily biodegradable fluids that are more expensive than usual petroleum based oils, without understanding
the difference between the many options and associated benefits. Readily
eadily biodegradable hydraulic fluids
fluid can
be broken down into two main categories as per ISO
6743-4,, where HE stands for “hydraulic environmental”:
a) HETG - Triglyceride based vegetable hydraulic oils
b) HEES - Synthetic ester based hydraulic oils
(saturated/unsaturated esters)
Furthermore, hydraulic oils are categorised from the
viscosity aspect as per ISO 3448 based on kinematic
viscosity at 40°C. Commonly used viscosities are ISO VG
32/46/68.
Main difference between HETG and HEES fluids stands in performance and tolerance to withstand high heat
levels over long period of time. HEES fluids are far more superior. Recent years have seen HETG fluids being
pushed out of the market by HEES fluids as the cost/performance ratio is ultimately in favour HEES category,
thanks to modern production
roduction and increasing volume.
HEES hydraulic fluids are synthetically modified
vegetable oils, where the so called "esterification"
(a chemical synthesis process based on reaction of
the higher fatty acids with higher fatty alcohol)
alcohol is
followed by hydrogenation conducted with a view
to saturating the unwanted double bonds, which
have an adverse effect on the product's thermothermo
oxidative stability and promote the formation of
oxidation build up (high-polymeric
polymeric substances).
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LUBECOTM HEES range – LUBECOTM Hydraulic Oil PLUS and LUBECOTM PREMIUM Hydraulic Oil are
recommended fluids for use in vast majority of hydraulic applications. They are premium quality, highperformance, zinc-free hydraulic oils combined with high-grade additives. These hydraulic fluids provide
superior lubricating properties, outstanding resistance to oxidation at high temperatures and high pressure,
and anti-wear and EP (extreme pressure) additives. LUBECOTM HEES oils posses a very high Viscosity Index
(dependence of kinematic viscosity on temperature), to ensure a minimal change of kinematic viscosity with
change of ambient temperature - a guarantee of high-performance and continuous lubrication of the hard
working hydraulic equipment.
LUBECOTM Hydraulic Oil PLUS and LUBECOTM PREMIUM Hydraulic Oil are available in diverse viscosity classes.
Pacific Bio Lubricants Limited
11H Piermark Drive, North Harbour
Auckland 0632, New Zealand
Postal: PO Box 35085, Auckland 0753
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Sales and Technical Support
Phone: +64 9 9734390
NZ Freephone: 0800 582 326
Email:info@lubeco.co.nz
www.lubeco.co.nz