Switching from petroleum to synthetic industrial lubricants is one of the most effective ways to cut manufacturing and production costs. Synthetic industrial lubricants have a proven track record of lowering energy costs as well as enhancing and prolonging equipment life. According to some studies, switching from petroleum to synthetic lubricants can cut production costs by 2%-8%, and there are some companies that are getting even better results.
The benefits of using synthetics as industrial lubricants include:
- lower operating temperatures for machinery
- longer equipment life
- lower energy costs
- reduced waste
- higher lubricant purity
In one specific case study, a cements manufacturer switched one air compressor from the mineral oil that they usually used for lubricating its parts to a synthetic industrial lubricant. The results were monitored by an independent monitoring agency in order to get a totally unbiased reading of the test. In the end, the company found that the use of the right lubricant reduced energy costs by 16%. As a result, the company decided to switch all of its air compressors over to using synthetic lubricants. The additional benefits included:
- reduced energy consumption
- annual energy savings of £33,500
- longer running times between oil drains, saving more money by reducing lubricant costs
- reduced waste oil amounts
Based on those figures, the study suggests that using the right industrial lubricants can help reduce energy inefficiency by about 33%. In other words, if a machine is operating at 85% efficiency, its inefficiency rating is 15%. Switching the lubricant used in the machine can raise its efficiency level to 90% efficiency – a 1/3 decrease in the inefficiency rating, from 15% to 10%.
Of course, you’ll only see this benefit if you actually keep up on the maintenance of your machines. If you create and maintain a maintenance program that includes regularly scheduled viscosity checks for your lubricant and replacement BEFORE equipment starts to wear from friction, you’ll be saving even more energy and money. And in these days with fuel prices rising and our global environment showing the signs of the strain we put on it, every little bit of savings helps.
