Çimko Cement, a cement producing company in Turkey, has experienced significant reductions both in energy consumption and in gearbox operating temperatures at the Narli plant following a switch to the high performance gear oil, Mobil SHC Gear. As a result, Çimko Cement decided to use the high-performance Mobil SHC Gear in all elevator gearboxes and in the rotary kiln gearboxes to help reduce unscheduled downtime, improve the energy efficiency of equipment and increase productivity.
The company looked to reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency of their equipment. Following an initial 26-month-long trial with Mobil SHC Gear 460 on its Limestone Conveyor Driver, which resulted in significant reductions in energy consumption, Çimko Cement undertook another trial especially for an energy efficiency comparison. The second 16-month-long trial on two gearboxes driving the Raw Material Silo Elevator delivered average energy savings of 2.3 percent compared to a competitor's fully synthetic oil, following a switch to Mobil SHC Gear 320.
Mobil SHC Gear 320 has also demonstrated an average 5°C reduction in gearbox temperatures after 11,000 hours of service. Reduced fluid friction in gears - the result of low traction properties of the synthetic base stocks used in Mobil SHC Gear oils - produces lower operating temperatures and can help improve gear efficiency. This will contribute to considerable savings over the gearbox and machine lifecycle, helping to reduce unscheduled downtime and component wear.
In addition, the high viscosity index of Mobil SHC Gear oils delivers less change in viscosity with changes in temperature, and during the initial Mobil SHC Gear 460 field trial no change in viscosity was recorded after 16,000 hours of service. This enabled a wider operating temperature range and improved low temperature startup delivering the smooth, trouble-free operation of Çimko Cement's equipment. There was also no indication of oxidation after 16,000 hours of service, which can help extend oil drain intervals, reducing oil consumption and lowering maintenance costs.
"Energy costs are one of the highest burdens on companies and any reduction in consumption has a beneficial impact on the bottom line," said Rainer Lange, Mobil SHC brand advisor - Europe, Africa & Middle East, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants. "ExxonMobil's Field Engineering Services personnel work closely with key Original Equipment Manufacturers and customers to ensure its gearbox oils and other products in the Mobil Industrial Lubricants range help companies like Çimko Cement secure energy savings, optimise equipment protection and increase productivity."
