Compressed air has become a major form of energy and the reliable generation of compressed air is vital. Operators require compressors to function perfectly over and beyond entire service intervals.
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils were developed to meet the increased requirements of compressor manufacturers on the service life of compressor oils. Due to the function of compressors, intensive swirling of the cooling oil and air occurs.
At high compression temperatures, the oils are subjected to a strong oxidative attack that accelerates ageing. The selection of special synthetic base oils and additive systems makes long, interruption-free operation possible. To ensure optimum performance of the oil separator, the air release properties and low foaming are characteristic for screw and turbo compressor oils. Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils offers long service life, and they fulfill the requirements mentioned above as well as the requirements according to DIN 51506 VDL.
The most important functions of lubricating and cooling oils in screw compressors are:
* Cooling the compressed air
* Bearing lubrication
* Sealing the chambers
* Corrosion protection
* Preventing the formation of deposits.
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils have especially been developed for the use in oil injected screw compressors and in turbo compressors.
APPLICATION
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils are recommended for use in flooded or oil injection screw-type air compressors and turbo compressors.
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils should always be used if mineral oil-based products are found to display insufficient thermal stability (resistance to ageing) or poor viscosity-temperature behaviour. Compared to mineral oil-based oils, Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils foam less, offer better demulsification and have superior air release properties.
The use of Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils are especially recommended in unfavourable conditions and at high temperatures in which other oils fail because they allow coke to form, thus leading to unacceptably short oil life. These oils are also recommended for compressors which are subject to extreme loads.
Compared to mineral oil products, the life of Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils are considerably longer, operational reliability is much improved and breakdowns are effectively reduced (service intervals can be extended).
EXCELLENT VISCOSITY-TEMPERATURE BEHAVIOUR (HIGH NATURAL VISCOSITY INDEX)
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils display good “natural” viscosity-temperature behaviour. Compared to equiviscous mineral oils, the start-up viscosity of such oils at low temperatures is significantly less. This also ensures the fastest possible oil feed to bearings. Furthermore, compared to mineral oil-based products of the same ISO-VG, the viscosity of Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils at operating temperatures is higher. This ensures that an optimal lubricating film (higher viscosity) is always formed. Even at high loads and after long periods of use, no shearing losses (drop in VI) occur.
EXCELLENT OXIDATION STABILITY
When running, the lubricating oil in screw compressors comes into close contact with the oxygen in the air. Oxidation is accelerated by the large volumes of air along with the relatively large surfaces on the inside of such compressors. The temperature peaks encountered in screw compressors also subject the lubricating oil to thermal stress. The use of Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils, especially at high temperatures (caused by high pressures), avoids the formation of ageing by-products and coke. Moreover, they hinder the formation of corrosive oxidation by-products as well as rubbery or lacquer-like deposits. Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils reduce breakdowns and maintenance work, increase the life of filters and improve the performance of compressors. The outstanding oxidation resistance of the base oils used which is boosted by special oxidation inhibitors avoids the formation of ageing by-products, coke and other products which detrimentally affect performance. These features also significantly increase the life of the oil.
LOW EVAPORATION LOSSES
Mineral oil-based lubricants, especially at high operating temperatures, tend to evaporate their highly volatile components causing the viscosity to increase and oil mist pollution of the compressed air. The very low evaporation losses of the synthetic base oils used for Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils largely eliminate such problems.
EXCELLENT WEAR PROTECTION (EP)
The heat which is generated at high compressor outlet pressures often causes the oil film between the rotor flanks to become so thin that metal-tometal contact takes place and thus wear. Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils contain special AW/EP additives which enable a protective film to be formed even at extreme pressures. This minimizes bearing and rotor wear and thus significantly increases the operational reliability of the compressor. Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils tested in the FE8 test rig, with excellent results.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT
Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils offer excellent wear protection in hydraulic equipment. RWTÜV Germany – a well-known independent institute – has done the Vickers Vane Pump Test with Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils, with excellent results. Extreme wear protection guarantees a long lifetime of the components.
GOOD DEMULSIFYING PROPERTIES
Water can get into compressors through condensation. Such moisture can accelerate the ageing of the oil. Furthermore, water in compressors can lead to bearing failure and to negative reactions And on top of that, water can wash out the watersoluble additives in the oil which again reduces lubricity. Condensation can also occur in compressors which are used intermittently or which are rarely run at full power. Moisture in the oil can create sludge or stable water-in-oil emulsions which can block oil passages, causing partial seizures. Any moisture which gets mixed with Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils separates-out and can be drained. This reduces the problems associated with the formation of emulsions which have to be disposed-of as special waste. All these features help reduce costs.
EXCELLENT CORROSION PROTECTION FOR STEEL AND NONFERROUS METALS
DIN ISO 7120 examines the corrosion protection properties of an oil and distilled water on a steel test panel. In this test, Sandvik Synthetic Compressor Oils caused no corrosion throughout the duration of the test. The same excellent results also apply to nonferrous metals (DIN EN ISO 2160). Practically, this means that all machine components remain well protected against corrosion.
