Food grade grease for industrial Applications
Grease is a thick, oily substance that is put on moving parts of mechanical parts in order to make them work smoothly. It is a solid to semi fluid product of dispersion of a thickening agent in a liquid lubricant. There are three components that form this lubricating grease. These are the base oil, thickener and additives. The base oil and additives are the major component in grease formulations, and as such, exert considerable influence on the behavior of the other grease. The thickener is often referred to as a sponge that holds the lubricants that is the base oil and additives. Greaseis used in various industrial processingmachines, production machines and equipment applications such as rolling element and plain bearings joint, enclosed industrial gear boxes , linkages and slides, centralized grease lubrication systems open gears, overhead track system, corrosion control and resistance to wear and water. The function of grease is to remain in contact with and lubricate moving surfaces without leaking out under the force of gravity, centrifugal action or being squeezed out under pressure. There are different kinds of grease and for this article; we will focus on food grade grease for industrial applications.
Food grade grease for industrial applications are grease that isapplied in food processing, beverages, pharmaceutical and other edible processing equipment and machines.The health and safety of the end users are paramount especially in the lubrication of equipment, machineries in food processing and production industries. There are three categories of grease used in food processing industry; First, is the grease that may come in contact with food during processing, they are non food compound which are intended for use around food processing areas but are not intended for direct food contact or to become a component of the food. Secondly is grease that is use in areas where there is no possibility of food contact. The Third category isgrease applied to prevent rust on hooks, trolleys and other similar equipment or machines and which.
Grease has various applications and it is not interchangeable with oil. It is mostly applied whereit’s not practical or convenient to use oil; grease application is determined by matching the machinery design, operating conditions with desired lubricant characteristics. Grease are generally used for Machinery operating under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and pressures, shock loads or slow speed under load,Machinery that runs intermittently or is in storage for an extended period of time andMachinery that is not easily accessible for frequent lubrication. High-quality grease cans lubricant, isolate or relatively inaccessible components for extended periods of time without frequent replenishing, also for sealed for life applications such as some electrical motors and gearboxes and worn components.
Characteristics of Food grade grease:
Food grade grease for industrial applications also display some set of characteristics that must be considered when being chosen for an application. Some of these characteristics are listed below.
Water resistance:Grease ability to withstand the effects of water with no change in its ability to lubricate.
Pumpability: This is the ability of a grease to be pumped or pushed through a system. It’s the ability of the pressurized grease to flow through lines, nozzles and fittings of grease-dispending systems.
Consistency: The consistency of grease depends on the type and amount of thickener used and the viscosity of its base oil. The measure of consistency is its resistance to deformation by an applied force. The measure of consistency is called penetration which also depends on whether the consistency has been altered by handling or working. The measure of consistency is to allow a cone of a given weight to sink into a grease for five seconds at a standard temperature of 25*c.
Oxidation stability:This is the ability of the grease to resist oxidation. Oxidation occurs when the grease breaks down in a reaction with oxygen. Although both the base oil and thickener can oxidize, oxidation is more of a danger to the base oil. Oxidation turns grease into sludge and causes gummy deposits to form on the surfaces. Oxidized grease will become softer and appear darker.
Dropping point: Dropping point is an indicator of the heat resistance of grease. As grease temperature increases, penetration Increases until the grease liquefies and the desired consistency is lost. This is the temperature at which greasebecomes liquid enough to drip. It indicates the upper temperature limit at which grease retains its structure.
Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria is the Shell lubricant distributor in Nigeria, We believe in the importance of value for premium lubricants used by our customers, hence our determination to ensure products are distributed timely to all our offices, warehouses and to our clients across Nigeria . Below is some of food grade grease in shell portfolio the Shell cassida grade.
Shell cassida – Are high performance,anti wear-multipurpose lubricants, specially developed for use in machinery used in the food and beverage processing and packaging industry. They are based on a careful blend of synthetic hydrocarbons and selected additives chosen for their ability to meet the stringent requirements of the food industry.
Applications include
Hydraulic systems
Hydrostatic gear
Plain and anti-friction bearings
General purpose lubrication including light duty gearboxes
Circulating oil systems
Performance Features
1,The base fluid has an ability to provide superior lubrication under the majority of operating conditions.
2, Good anti-wear performance offers long and reliable component life, resulting in greater plant utilization and therefore lower maintenance costs .
3, Prevent component damage trough excellent water separation properties, which resist formation of potentially harmful emulsions.
4, excellent air release and antifoam characteristics prevent cavitations.
5, Resist the formation of harmful products of oxidation, even at elevated temperatures, resulting in long oil life.
6, Neutral odour and taste 6 High viscosity index results in minimum variation of viscosity with change in temperature. 6 Effective protections against corrosion of metal surfaces.
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Gospel okike
Chemical/Coating development manager
+2348153492249
