circulation oil. Characteristics
Content
What is circulating oil?
The essence of the work of circulating oil lies in its name. Circulating oil is designed for use in systems where the lubricant is forced to circulate.
As a rule, an oil pump (usually a gear pump) or a conventional pump with a rotary impeller is responsible for circulating the lubricant. Oil is pumped through a closed system and under pressure, usually low, is supplied to various rubbing surfaces.
Circulating oils are used in industrial machines for various purposes, large-sized actuators (automated hydraulic robots on assembly lines), turbine control mechanisms, in the food industry, as well as in other units where it is technologically provided for the supply of oil to the main friction units by pumping from a common source to extensive system of lubrication points.
A distinctive feature of circulating oils is a relatively low viscosity, low cost compared to motor or transmission oils, and a narrow specialization.
Popular circulation oils
Among the manufacturers of circulating oils, two companies stand out: Mobil and Shell. Let's briefly consider the circulating oils produced by these companies.
- Mobile DTE 797 (798 and 799) is a relatively simple zinc-free circulating oil designed for turbine control and lubrication systems. The low price determined its wide distribution in the field.
- Mobil DTE Heavy – high performance circulating oil for steam and gas turbines. It is used in adverse conditions associated with temperature changes and increased load.
- Mobile DTE BB. Circulating oil for continuous lubrication of loaded bearings and gears in a closed system by forced circulation.
- Shell Morlina S1 B. A series of circulating lubricants based on paraffin-refined base oils. These lubricants are intended for bearings of industrial machines.
- Shell Morlina S2 B. A line of circulating oils for industrial equipment, which have enhanced dimulsion and antioxidant properties.
- Shell Morlina S2BA. Circulating oils specially designed for heavy duty applications in various machine tools. Designed for lubrication of bearings operating under loaded conditions.
- Shell Morlina S2BL. Zinc-free circulating lubricants for a wide range of applications, from loaded rolling bearings to high-speed spindles.
- Shell Paper Machine Oil. Specialized oils for machines involved in the production of paper products.
Several dozens of circulating oils are known. However, they are less common.
Gear and Circulation Oils: What's the Difference?
Structurally and according to the main technical characteristics, in some cases, gear oil does not differ critically from circulating oil. The main difference between circulating oil and gear oil lies in the suitability of the first for pumping in closed systems by forcing the creation of a flow. Moreover, pumping should be carried out without hindrance even over long distances and through channels of limited bandwidth.
Classic gear oils do not need pumping. Such lubricants lubricate the gears and bearings of the gearboxes by splashing, as well as by capturing oil from the crankcase, followed by lubrication through the contact of the teeth from the lower gears, partially immersed in the lubricant, to the upper ones.
