Selecting the right industrial lubricant for a particular application can be a complex and challenging task. With so many different types of lubricants available today, machine operators are often confused about which lubricant is the optimal choice for their specific equipment.

Choosing the wrong lubricant can lead to a host of problems such as increased wear and tear, corrosion issues, reduced equipment lifespan, and unnecessary downtime for repairs or replacements.

To navigate the complex industrial lubricant landscape successfully, machine operators need expert guidance and insights. This article provides tips from lubrication specialists on demystifying industrial lubricant selection by understanding critical parameters, implementing a systematic selection process, leveraging supplier partnerships, and optimizing lubrication practices.

Understand Critical Parameters for Lubricant Selection

The foundation to choosing the right industrial lubricant lies in comprehending critical application and operational parameters that must be considered during the selection process. Some key considerations include:

Equipment Type and Components: Consider all equipment components that require lubrication. This includes bearings, gears, hydraulics, chains, wires, slides, valves, etc. The lubrication requirements can vary for each component.

Operating Conditions: Factors like temperature ranges, contamination levels, moisture, steam, load levels, rotational speeds and vibration must be evaluated as they directly impact lubricant performance.

Desired Protection Levels: The level of wear protection, corrosion resistance, oxidation stability needed dictates the type of additives and base oil suitable for an application.

Regulatory Approvals: Verify that the lubricant meets all safety, environmental and regulatory standards mandated for a particular industry or application. Food-grade or eco-friendly lubricants are some special considerations here.

Consolidating and analyzing this critical data will clarify lubrication objectives and narrow down suitable lubricant options.

Implement a Systematic Lubricant Selection Process

Armed with vital application knowledge, a methodical selection process will help streamline decision making:

1. Define Operational Objectives: Begin by clearly outlining the goals you expect the lubricant to accomplish based on the application analysis – extending drainage intervals, equipment life expansion, enhanced energy efficiency etc.
2. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Identify quantifiable metrics like viscosity index, demulsibility, foam inhibition and pour point to benchmark lubricant candidates against to meet operational goals.
3. Research Lubricant Chemistries: Extensive research on chemical formulations like synthetic hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins, esters, silicone oils etc. is imperative to determine optimal chemistries.
4. Create Shortlist of Products: Catalog performance specifications of products in contention to match with application objectives and parameters. Narrow down to 3-4 potential lubricants.
5. Conduct Field Testing: Thorough on-site testing of shortlisted products under actual operating conditions following standard test protocols is crucial for final evaluation.
6. Perform Cost-Benefit Analysis: Compare acquisition costs, consolidation potential, disposal costs and maintenance savings to calculate the total cost of ownership for choosing a lubricant.
7. Select Lubricant & Create Baselines: Choose the lubricant that demonstrates the best overall performance, protection and ROI. Define benchmarks for drainage intervals, consumption rates and KPIs.

This will result in the selection of an industrial lubricant that reliably meets application demands and facility goals.

Leverage Supplier Partnerships

For truly optimized outcomes, industrial plant managers must consider lubricant suppliers as trusted expert partners rather than just commodity vendors. Building collaborative relationships with suppliers provides numerous value-added benefits:

1. Gain Technical Expertise: OEM production partnerships allow suppliers to develop extensive application-specific knowledge to aptly guide lubricant selection.
2. Ensure Correct Application: With extensive field experience, suppliers can correctly match lubricants to equipment components for flawless functioning.
3. Simplify Consolidation: Consolidating to a single, high-performance supplier lubricant can streamline supply chains.
4. Increase Operational Efficiency: Suppliers offer custom monitoring, analysis and reporting to identify optimization areas.
5. Minimize Downtimes: With intricate application awareness, suppliers rapidly diagnose lubrication issues and restore operations.

Additionally, many suppliers offer purpose-built services like ultrasonic oil monitoring, used oil analysis and on-site equipment assessments further adding tremendous value.

Continuously Optimize Lubrication Practices

The final step to fully extract benefits from a selected industrial lubricant is to implement optimization best practices encompassing usage, handling, storage and disposal. Key pointers include:

1. Accuracy in Application: Use precision lubricators to apply specified lubricant amounts avoiding under or over lubrication.
2. Contamination Control: Keep lubricants sealed and strictly control exposure to moisture, dirt or chemical contact during handling.
3. Storage Protocol Adherence: Follow manufacturer guidelines for ideal storage conditions – proper containers, space between barrels, eliminating light exposure etc.
4. Condition Monitoring: Use tests like particle counts, viscosity measurement and acid number tracking for timely intervention.
5. Extending Drain Intervals: With used oil analysis data, judiciously extend drain intervals without compromising lubricant health.
6. Staff Training: Educate technicians on contamination avoidance, top-up procedures, lubricant disposal etc. through continuous training programs.
7. Disposal Compliance: Ensure ethical disposal or recycling of used oils following governmental and environmental protocols.

Instituting such lubrication best practices ensures that carefully selected high-performance lubricants deliver their maximum potential while needing lower volumes over time – a definitive win-win for industrial plant bottom lines.

Staying Ahead of Trends in Lubrication Solutions

In addition to current performance requirements, decision-makers selecting industrial lubricants must stay abreast of evolving market trends and advancements. The lubricants landscape is a dynamic one driven by emerging technologies and sustainability priorities. For example, synthetic lubricants derived from renewable raw materials that demonstrate higher efficiency over conventional mineral oils are gaining prominence. Many suppliers are also focusing on lowering lubricant combustion emissions by minimizing sulphated ash and phosphorus content.

Choosing products aligned to such trends will ensure that industrial facilities remain future-ready while fulfilling economic and ecological responsibilities.​ On top of evaluating present performance criteria, collaborating with knowledgeable suppliers to understand upcoming lubricant technology will enable plant managers to make selections that serve both short-term and long-term interests.

Simplify With Expert Guidance

Though navigating lubricant options seems multidimensional, industrial facilities can significantly simplify selection and consolidate solutions by tapping into application expertise. Developing collaborative supplier relationships supported by methodical evaluation processes, performance benchmarking and optimization programs are key for long-term lubrication success. Consider the guidance highlighted as you streamline your operations with cost-efficient, reliability-enhancing and productivity-boosting industrial lubricants.