Right turbine oil helps equipment performance

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Mr. Glen Sharkowicz, Industrial Lubricants Marketing Manager – Asia Pacific, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants
Mr. Glen Sharkowicz, Industrial Lubricants Marketing Manager – Asia Pacific, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants

ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants

Q. How important is the focus on energy efficiency for ExxonMobil?

Energy Efficiency is visibly a paramount issue for every company in the global industrial sector, no matter how large their operations are or what they specialize in. Obviously, from an operations and cost efficiency perspective, reducing energy consumption can have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line. Also, minimizing energy consumption can help companies demonstrate to their partners and customers that they are committed to sustainable practices.Deployment of energy efficient technologies reduce the negative impact of energy consumption on the environment and society, at the same time reducing energy costs, thus contributing towards sustainable development

The industrial sector is a major consumer of energy, accounting for about half of all the electricity consumed around the world and for about 30 percent of primary energy use. Today, companies in nearly every industrial sector are seeking new ways to reduce their carbon footprint, while striving hard to increase their competitiveness.In response to the latter, industrial equipment manufacturers are designing lighter and more compact equipment so as to achieve maximum system efficiency. Achieving enhanced energy efficiency helps them reduce costs and increase productivity. One opportunity for energy conservation that is often overlooked in industrial facilities is the technology behind the lubricant used. Using energy efficient lubricants will enable manufacturing facilities to operate at maximum efficiency with optimal cost. Typically companies that upgrade their lubricants and reliability practices have been able to document a significant reduction in power requirements. In India, the challenge is to adopt a recognized standard or certification program for lubricants and there is a heightened need for initiating this.

From Mobil Industrial Lubricants’ perspective, we are geared up to meet and exceed industry requirement through a suite of step up technology lubricants designed to potentially deliver Energy Efficiency benefits. For example,Energy Efficiency savings to the tune of 1.5% can be achieved in gas engines operating on Mobil SHC Pegasus 30 in power generation and natural gas compression sectors, while extensive field tests and controlled laboratory assessment have proven up to 3.6% savings with synthetic product such as Mobil SHC 600 series or Mobil SHC Gear series in various industrial and power generation ancillary applications. In hydraulic equipment across many industrial and off-highway applications, one can experience up to 6% pump efficiency with Mobil DTE 10 Excel range of products. Understanding equipment and its application, followed by selection of the right lubricant, help gain the maximum mileage from these technologies.

Hence, Mobil Industrial Lubricants not only keep machines at top performance, but also help improve energy output and reduce carbon emissions at the same time

Q. How can turbine oils help improve performance?

Selection of the right turbine oil helps equipment perform under the most demanding conditions and has a direct impact on the reliability and profitability of a power generation operation. Unplanned outages from lubrication failures result in costly downtime and possible equipment damage.Modern steam and gas turbines subject the turbine lubricant to even greater demands. Issues such as higher temperatures in bearings, reductionin residence times and varnish deposits have become critical concerns. Since oil is the lifeblood of reliable turbine operation, sound oil condition monitoring is needed to ensure long trouble free operations.

Mobil offers a wide range of specially formulated Mobil SHCTM and Mobil DTETM series of turbine lubricants for critical equipment needs. The lubricants are designed to provide uninterrupted operations and long service life, to outstanding synthetic lubricants and greases engineered to perform in extremely demanding environments.

The reliable operation of a power generating turbine and its associated equipment is also dependent on the health and well-being of the lubricant in use. Regular oil analysis and condition monitoring is one tool that should be used to maintain the turbine in peak operating condition. The oil analysis program should include the basic tests to assess the physical and chemical properties, contamination issues and performance characteristics of the fluid. Operators should consult with the equipment manufacturer for further guidance on the interpretation of the used oil analysis data.

Mobil’s Signum oil analysis program is specifically tailored to monitor critical indicators for in-service lubricating oils. Signum has become a global service based on over 40 years of expertise in lubricating oil analysis. Supported by a team of ExxonMobil formulators, scientists and engineers who not only develop the products, but understand their performance and life cycle in the field, Signum Oil Analysis delivers safety, environmental care and productivity benefits to customers. At Mobil Industrial Lubricants, we are committed to helping companies be safer, more productive, and more aware of environmental care practices. By taking a proactive, predictive approach to maintenance through Signum Oil Analysis, the customer can prevent costly production delays and equipment failures, while helping to protect workers as well as the environment.

Q. What are the expectations from the Indian market in 2015?

The industrial sector is a major consumer of energy, accounting for about half of all the electricity consumed around the world and for about 30 percent of primary energy use. For the period 2010 to 2040, the demand for energy by the industrial sector is expected to grow strongly. For example, global chemicals energy demand is expected to rise by about 55 percent from 2010 to 2040, and will account for 35 percent of the growth in the industrial sector. By 2040, the industrial sector is projected to get only about 15 percent of its direct energy from coal, compared to over 20 percent in 2010. Energy consumption has many business as well as society and environmental impacts and benefits. An increase in energy efficiency works hand in hand with reduced energy consumption. With heightened awareness of this key principle, today, industries around the world are setting up sustainable business practices as they look for energy efficient solutions that minimize energy consumption and maximize productivity.

An often overlooked aspect for achieving such efficiencies is the usage of advanced lubrication solutions. Lubricants reduce friction as their primary role in the base case. Today’s lubricants go beyond the basic reduction of friction. Advanced base oils and additives impact traction coefficient in bearings/gears. Advanced High Viscosity Index (VI) fluids offer the potential to use lower viscosity for reduced churning loss and better heat dissipation. In hydraulics/circulating applications, advanced High VI fluids manage balance of mechanical and volumetric efficiency in pressurized pumps for instance, that lead to reduced energy at start up, and improved lubrication at high temperature of operation.

In order to continuously set new benchmarks in lubrication excellence, ExxonMobil works closely with Original Equipment Manufacturers / Equipment Builders to develop the technology that help our common customers achieve improved operational safety, environmental care and increase productivity. For over 100 years, we have deployed a dedicated team of engineers and scientists to work with OEMs and understand the new trends in industrial equipment as well as current and future lubricant requirements, which has enabled us to tailor our lubricants to meet or exceed the performance capabilities needed to help ensure long life performance for our equipment builders (EBs) partners’ equipment. Working side-by-side with the world’s leading EBs has often given us unique insights into the development of some of the world’s most advanced industrial equipment and inputs required specifically for investing in R&D to introduce new products with new technologies.

With EBs in India facing the challenge of competing on a global stage, ExxonMobil with its close relationship with EBs can deliver a competitive advantage to its partners in identification of potential challenges and barriers that might impact the performance of their equipment, either in the short-term or long-term and drive developments to help customers and their customers to make their operations more efficient and profitable. By doing so, we can offer our customers advanced technology and the highest level of application expertise and be sure that our Mobil-branded industrial lubricants consistently deliver exceptional performance. Combined, these help enable our customers to maximize their productivity and stay ahead of their competitors.

Q. What is the product portfolio in turbine sector? Will the industry see any new additions in 2015?

Mobil offers a wide range of specially formulated lubricants for critical equipment needs. From premium turbine lubricants designed to provide uninterrupted operation and long service life, to outstanding synthetic lubricants and greases engineered to perform in extremely demanding environments.

Thoroughly tested before they are commercialized, Mobil-branded industrial lubricants and greases are supported by equipment builder approvals. For example, Mobil SHC™800 series, our top-of-the-line synthetic turbine oils are designed for land-based gas turbines, the Mobil DTETM 800 Series, formulated for specific high-efficiency for combined-cycle turbine applications. The new Mobil DTE™ 700 Series meets or exceeds 17 industry and equipment builder specifications for gas and steam turbines.

The newest extension of the Mobil DTE™ 700 series, Mobil DTE™ 732 M turbine oil provides optimum protection for heavy-duty, non-geared, single-shaft gas turbines and steam turbines as well as for multi-shaft gas turbines. It has received MSO4-MA-CLOO5 approval, which means it meets or exceeds the highest quality-level requirements set by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

Mobil DTE™ 932 GT is the latest addition to our turbine oil range. It is specifically formulated for GE frame 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 turbines and the formulation is based on selected high-quality base oils carefully balanced with a proprietary additive system to provide long oil life along with outstanding keep-clean performance. Mobil DTE 932 GT also delivers wear protection and load-carrying performance required for geared turbines.

We have introduced above mentioned complete range of turbine oils in India, an important growth market for ExxonMobil.

Also, as a company, we place an enormous emphasis on on-going investment in research and development (R&D), working side-by-side with the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop the most effective products and maintenance solutions. This process begins in our Research and Engineering facilities, and is conducted hand-in-hand with leading equipment builders, as well as the users and maintainers of such equipment. Our application-specific expertise and close working relationships with the world’s leading OEMs enable us to provide our customers with products that have global consistency in formulation and performance, help maximize productivity, boost energy efficiency and business sustainability.

Q. With offshore wind being discussed in India, what preparation is happening at ExxonMobil for a new business opportunity?

The economic growth in India is opening up great potential for development of renewable resources. Technological advancement in this sector is essential for meeting up with ever increasing energy demand of the country. Very recently, the Government of India has announced draft offshore wind power policy which is under active discussion and finalization.

New challenges continue to be addressed with our new products and services. With our relationship with equipment builders we closely monitor the trend of technology development on the equipment side so that we are geared up to deliver the right product, which will cater to this requirement in the industry. So that is how proactive we are in terms of developing and delivering the right product for the industry.

Mobil Industrial Lubricants has been at the forefront of lubricant developmentfor the wind energy sector globally for over 30 years, championing best practices from the advent of the industry to its current burgeoning growth. We understand the challenges equipment builder engineers and wind farm operators’ face. Mobil Industrial Lubricants superior lubrication products and services maximize wind turbine productivity while minimizing costs by improving equipment performance and reducing maintenance frequency. We have firmly established our reputation within the global wind energy sector through accomplishments in research and development (R&D), close collaboration with industry decision-makers and the excellent quality of its service. Mobil Industrial Lubricants innovative wind lubrication technology and application expertise have been supporting this growing industry by reducing both maintenance requirements and operational costs. The Mobil-branded fully-synthetic lubricants are specifically formulated to overcome difficult operating conditions associated with offshore

For example, Mobilgear SHC XMP 320, our top-of-the-line synthetic wind turbine lubricant, is approved and/or used by several major gear, bearing and wind turbine manufacturers. With extensive builder approvals, it lubricates more than 40,000 wind turbines worldwide. Analysis of over 46,000 used-oil samples of Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 indicates superb wear protection and virtually no alerts due to oil aging.

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