Solid Grease Research Articles

Design and Evaluation of Low-Cost Vibration-Based Machine Monitoring System for Hay Rotary Tedder.

Vibration monitoring provides a good-quality source of information about the health condition of machines, and it is often based on the use of accelerometers. This article focuses on the use of accelerometer sensors in fabricating a low-cost system for monitoring vibrations in agricultural machines, such as rotary tedders. The aim of the study is to provide useful data on equipment health for improving the durability of such machinery. The electronic prototype, based on the low-cost AVR microcontroller ATmega128 with 10-bit ADC performing a 12-bit measurement, is able to acquire data from an accelerometer weighing up to 10 g. Three sensors were exposed to low accelerations with the use of an exciter, and their static characteristics were presented. Standard experimental tests were used to evaluate the constructed machine monitoring system. The self-contained prototype system was calibrated in a laboratory test rig, and sinusoidal and multisinusoidal excitations were used. Measurements in time and frequency domains were carried out. The amplitude characteristic of the preformed system differed by no more than 15% within a frequency range of 10 Hz–10 kHz, compared to the AVM4000 commercial product. Finally, the system was experimentally tested to measure acceleration at three characteristic points in a rotational tedder, i.e., the solid grease gearbox, the drive shaft bearing and the main frame. The RMS amplitude values of the shaft vibrations on the bearing in relation to the change in the drive shaft speed of two tedders of the same type were evaluated and compared. Additionally, the parameters of kurtosis and crest factor were compared to ascertain the bearing condition.

Optimization Ratio of Mixed Metal Soaps (Al-Ca) and Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) on Making Grease

Palm Fatty Acid Destilate (PFAD) to be used as a raw material for making oleochemical products, solid lubricant. This is caused by the composition of fatty acids contained in PFAD not much different from the composition of fatty acids found in palm oil. This study aims to determine the formulation of solid lubricants (grease) from PFAD and compound metal soap (Al-Ca) as thickener which has characteristics close to SNI solid lubricants and know the quality of solid lubricants produced. The method used in the manufacture of solid grease (grease) consists of two stages. The first stage is the process of making mixed metal soap (Al-Ca) by mixing PFAD and Al(OH)3-Ca(OH)2 and analyzing the mixed metal soap. The second stage is the manufacture of solid lubricants (grease) from mixed metal soap (Al-Ca) and PFAD as well as analyzing the resulting product.Based on the research that has been done, the optimum solid lubricant obtained according to SNI standards is in the composition of A:B1, A1 is the ratio of Al(OH)3:Ca(OH)2 = 90%:10% and B1 is the ratio of metal soap:PFAD = 90 %:10%, so the density is 0.95gr/ml and the penetration value is 194 (25 °C).

Experimental studies using minimum quantity cooling (MQC) with molybdenum disulfide and graphite-based microfluids in grinding of Inconel\xae alloy 718

In the paper, the results of experimental studies related with determination of the influence of the supply of a grinding fluid (GF) doped with powdered graphite and MoS2 into the machining zone with the minimum quantity cooling (MQC) method on the course and results of the reciprocating internal cylindrical grinding of rings made from Inconel® alloy 718 have been presented. As a grinding fluid, water aerosols were used. The aerosols delivered the following into the grinding zone: water slurry MoS2 with a concentration of 30 g/dm3, water slurry of graphite with a concentration of 30 g/dm3, 5% water solution of Syntilo RHS oil and pure demineralized water. The obtained results of carried out experiments showed that the most favorable conditions of grinding wheel operation were obtained when MQC-based delivering an aerosol of water slurry made from demineralized water doped with MoS2 and graphite with a minimum flow rate and when delivering an aerosol of 5% water slurry of Syntilo RHS oil. It was proved that doping GF with powdered MoS2 and graphite, with delivery in the form of an aerosol with a minimum flow rate, has a substantial influence on the intensity of clogging grinding wheel active surface (GWAS). Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the solid grease MoS2 and graphite particles reached the area of contact of the GWAS and the machined surface effectively, actively influencing its tribological conditions of the grinding process.

COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF CARBON NANO- AND MICROFIBERS FOR FORMATION OF PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS OF POLYMER COMPOSITES BASED ON HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT MATRIX

The mechanical and tribo-technical parameters of composite materials of mixtures on the bases of super- molecular polyethylene (SMPE) at conditions of dry friction and abrasive wear were studied for comparative estimation of solid- grease properties of nano and micro fibers of carbon. It was shown that wear resistance of polymer compositions of SMPE+0.5 weight% the percent of C(nano) increases by a factor 6.6 and for SMPE+5 weight% the percent of C(micro) increases by a factor 2.5 at conditions of dry friction of slip. At conditions of abrasive wear the resistance of composites mentioned above increases by a factor about 2 for both types of fillers. The role of nano and micro fibers of carbon is discussed as solid grease in tribo- conjugated polymer compositions based on SMPE for application at various conditions of operation.

Fat, oil and grease reduction in commercial kitchen ductwork: A novel biological approach

Recent research has characterised emissions upon cooking a variety of foods in a commercial catering environment in terms of volume, particle size and composition. However, there has been limited focus on the deposition of solid grease in commercial kitchen ductwork, the sustainability of these systems and their implications on the heat recovery potential of kitchen ventilation extract air.This paper reviews the literature concerning grease, commonly referred to as Fat, Oils and Grease (FOG) abatement strategies and finds that many of these systems fall short of claimed performances. Furthermore these technologies often add to the energy cost of the operation and reduce the potential application of heat recovery in the ventilation ductwork. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel FOG removal system, with a focus on low environmental impact.The novel FOG removal system, utilises the biological activity of Bacillus subtilis and associated enzymes. The biological reagent is delivered via a misting system. The temperature, relative humidity and FOG deposit thickness were measured in the ductwork throughout a 3month trial period. FOG deposit thickness was reduced by 47% within 7weeks. The system was found to be effective at reducing the FOG deposit thickness with minimal energy cost and impact upon the kitchen and external environment. Internal ductwork operating temperature was measured with respect to future heat recovery potential and a reduction of 7°C was observed.

An economic and functional tool for assessing the financial feasibility of farm-based anaerobic digesters

Anaerobic digester (AD) technology is a form of renewable energy with significant upside potential and little public resistance. However, previous studies have generally found ADs to be a poor investment for private firms without public assistance. The mixed results on the financial feasibility of ADs could be due to the site of the analysis since results vary with size, geographic location or the type of AD system, which are not standardized but rather customized to the individual situation. Given the public and private interest in AD technology and the need to assess the feasibility by site, a decision-making tool that can be adapted for each location and system would aid assessing the investment. This paper presents a freely available workbook to determine the financial feasibility of a farm-based AD and to demonstrate its use. The decision-making tool identifies the technical and financial parameters affecting the returns to an AD and the sensitivity of the assumption to changes in the value of those parameters. An application of the workbook for the Ontario livestock sector demonstrates its usefulness. Investment in an AD is financially feasible only for the largest dairy farms in Ontario under current electricity prices, which are approximately six times greater than the wholesale price. Shifting to a duel fuel continuous system would improve returns, as would the availability of additional substrate material in the form of solid grease and vegetative waste. Reductions in capital cost and improvements in the efficiency of the technology are probable given the relatively infant status of the biogas sector but these future enhancements would likely only alter the investment decisions for large commercial dairy farms.

Frictional power loss in solid‐grease‐lubricated needle roller bearing

ABSTRACTThe use of solid grease as a lubricant, in comparison with standard grease or oil, is a pre‐requisite when needle roller bearings undergo a high‐speed oscillating motion and when access to the bearing is difficult for maintenance purposes. This paper examines the frictional power loss of a solid‐grease‐lubricated needle roller bearing. First set of measurement result reveals that the test bearing has higher frictional power loss as compared with other bearings with conventional lubrications, due to the high viscosity of the solid grease. Furthermore, measurements are compared with the Palmgren and SKF models. For improving these models, the parameters of the models are updated on the basis of the measurement data. A second set of measurement result shows that the use of oil (kept at higher temperature) in addition to solid grease significantly reduces the frictional power loss. The reduction is due to the decrease in operational viscosity of the solid grease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The method of prediction of the life of the dry friction bearing unit with a solid grease coating

The method is considered of prediction of wear of full-scale friction units by the temperature dependence of the integral parameter (Φ, the factor of wear) governed by the conditions of operation derived from the respective type of interactions. The temperature dependence of this parameter can be found from the results of laboratory tests of a model random-configured pair. It is shown that the calculated life of the bush-shaft coupling with the solid-grease VNIINP-212 determined from the factor of wear of this coating obtained with end-to-end tests is 4–45% different from the actual life.

Tribological properties of fast-cutting steel tools and tools modified with iodine compounds

We present the results of studies of the processes that evolve in contact zones in the blade-cutting of metals and alloys when the surface layers of tool materials (fast-cutting steels) contain iodine compounds that have formed when the tools have been chemothermally or ion-plasma treated. It is established that iron diodide is the prevailing compound that modifies the physicomechanical behavior of high-speed steels without altering the microstresses in their surface layers. The structural and thermodynamic features of iron diodide have motivated the experimental validation of the mechanism of its effect on the processes of contact interaction The essence of the mechanism is the combination of the solid grease and the radical-chain reactions. Various operations of blade-cutting of a broad range of materials has demonstrated the effectiveness of iodine compounds for the cutting process characteristics and opertional ability of cutting tools. The utmost effect is achieved when machining titanium-based alloys.

Determination of visible near-IR absorption coefficients of mammalian fat using time- and spatially resolved diffuse reflectance and transmission spectroscopy

In-vivo optical spectroscopy and the determination of tissue absorption and scattering properties have a central role in the development of novel optical diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in medicine. A number of techniques are available for the optical characterization of tissue in the visible near-IR region of the spectrum. An important consideration for many of these techniques is the reliability of the absorption spectrum of the various constituents of tissue. The availability of accurate absorption spectra in the range 600 to 1100 nm may allow for the determination of the concentration of key tissue constituents such as oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin, water, and lipids. The objective of the current study is the determination of a reliable absorption spectrum of lipid(s) that can be used for component analysis of in-vivo spectra. We report the absorption spectrum of a clear purified oil obtained from pig lard. In the liquid phase above 36 degrees C, the oil is transparent and thus suitable for collimated transmission measurements. At room temperature, the oil is a solid grease that is highly scattering. The absorption and scattering properties in this solid phase are measured using time- and spatially resolved diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Using these three independent measurement techniques, we have determined an accurate estimate for the absorption spectrum of mammalian fat.