To meet demand for wind energy in North America, Shell Lubricants says it’s formulating products for tough applications, particularly in hydraulic systems, blades, gearboxes, and yaw and pitch drives. The company has products and services for the wind-value chain, from component manufacturing and turbine assembly through transportation, construction, installation, and service.
Shell Lubricants says it recognizes the significance of reduced reliability and demands of operating wind farms in remote locations (on and off-shore) and in harsh climates. The challenge requires lubricants and greases for a long service life. To keep wind turbines running reliably and extend component life, the company supplies a range of lubricants used globally and delivered by local technicians.
The company adds that it works closely with leading wind turbine manufacturers, component suppliers, and industry associations to understand emerging lubrication needs, the rapidly changing industry, and manufacturer specs. In addition, the company complements its products with a comprehensive oil-analysis program, Shell LubeAnalyst, which can help operators monitor the condition of their lubricant and equipment to avoid unscheduled downtime.
A few products Shell Lubricants offers to the wind industry include:
- Tellus Arctic 32 is a hydraulic fluid for extreme-climate wind turbines and recommended or listed by suppliers to OEMs including GE Wind, Voith Wind, Vestas, Dongfang Wind Turbines, Sinovel, RePower, Nordex, and DHI. Shell says the lube has demonstrated its performance in the harsh winters of Mongolia, Scandinavia, and the Americas at temperatures as low as -40ºC.
- Rhodina BBZ protects bearings against fretting corrosion, moisture contamination, and false brineling at temperatures as low as -55ºC. The massive blades of a wind turbine turn or pitch on grease-lubricated bearings. If insufficiently lubricated, they can fail through the mechanisms mentioned. Rhodina BBZ lubricates blade bearings of many wind turbines from blade-bearing suppliers.
- Omala HD 320 synthetic gear oil offers excellent protection against common failure modes, including micropitting and bearing wear. Omala HD 320 also provides low-temperature fluidity and long oil life, along with benefits for difficult to maintain gearboxes.
In addition, the company produces Tivela S 150 & 320 synthetic gear oil for yaw and pitch drives, Albida EMS 2 for electric motor bearing, Stamina HDS main bearing grease, and Malleus GL & OGH premium quality open-gear grease.
Shell Lubricants
Filed Under: Lubricants, News, O&M
