New designs, the demand for larger MW class turbines, and the goal of further improvements in reliability and protection under extreme conditions are driving the development of a new generations of high-performance industrial lubricants and greases. For example, Shell Lubricants recently announced the introduction of their new portfolio of lubricants and greases for the wind sector specifically for main gearbox, yaw and pitch drives, bearings, hydrostatic and hydraulic systems. Shell’s new portfolio is based around three tiers: mainline, premium and advanced, with advanced often using the latest synthetic technology.
“Choosing the right lubricants for your wind turbines can help to make a real difference to the efficiency of your operation,” said Felix Guerzoni, product application specialist with Shell Lubricants.
Keeping wind turbines working efficiently and reducing operating costs is critical for a profitable business. Choosing the right lubricants and services can help to make a real difference to a power generation operation. Technology-leading wind turbine lubricants that are developed, researched and supported by wind professionals can help to reduce operating and equipment-ownership costs by providing:
- • Enhanced protection of critical components to reduce replacement costs and extend turbine life
- • Reduced lubricant consumption and maintenance through extended-life products
- • Improved operational efficiency through synthetic oil technology
Operating turbines in remote areas with extreme climatic conditions adds to the lubrication challenge. Whether it’s to extend maintenance intervals and increase reliability with purpose-designed, low-temperature hydraulic oils, or to protect blade bearings from fretting corrosion and false brinelling there is a wide range of lubricants from which to choose. Some of the leading products Shell Lubricants offers to meet these demands are:
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Shell Omala S4 GX 320 (previously Shell Omala HD 320) synthetic gear oil offers protection from common failure modes, including micropitting and bearing wear
Omala S4 GX - Offering excellent low-temperature fluidity and long oil life, this lubricant provides benefits for difficult to maintain wind turbine gearboxes.
- Shell Omala S4 WE 150 & 320 (previously Shell Tivela S 150 & 320) synthetic gear oil for yaw and pitch drives, which is widely used as factory fill by yaw and pitch drive manufacturers
- Shell Malleus GL & OGH open gear grease
- Gadus S5 T100 electric motor bearing synthetic grease and Shell Gadus S5 T460 main bearing grease
- Shell Rhodina BBZ grease protects bearings against fretting corrosion, moisture contamination and false brinelling at temperatures as low as -55ºF
- Shell Tellus S4 VX 32 (previously Shell Tellus Arctic 32) is used as hydraulic fluid for extreme-climate wind turbines
Filed Under: Lubricants
