Development of an Energy Efficient and Reliable Hydraulic Fluid Solution
The carbon footprint will become one of many sustainability metrics that suppliers and contractors will be measured against. For those operating hydraulic equipment, the energy demand, whether from diesel or electricity, is a well-known and significant contributor to emissions. Increasing hydraulic energy efficiency is an achievable route to reducing energy use and maintaining competitiveness in a low-carbon economy.
Stationary and mobile hydraulic equipment are continuously evolving to become more efficient and precise. In doing so, operating conditions have grown more extreme. Higher operational speeds and pressures, increasing use of electronic control, greater accuracy of operation, and smaller sump capacity are all increasingly commonplace—all of these conditions place new performance demands on hydraulic fluids.
Solutions that improve efficiency should be low risk, cost effective and not require significant downtime for implementation; therefore, a particularly clever efficiency upgrade is the use of an energy-efficient hydraulic fluid. These fluids have been on the market for some time, but operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and buyers remain cautious due to limited scientific evidence of their efficiency and uncertainty around the real benefits they might see. Recognizing the need for more insight in this area, Lubrizol undertook a multi-year research project to study current and future energy-efficient hydraulic fluids. Mixed results observed in the testing of conventional fluids motivated a more in-depth look at precisely how a fluid can influence and improve hydraulic efficiency.
Lubricant performance is the key to long-term machine reliability; even in the face of near-constant evolution, one industry truth remains constant. Nothing affects the bottom line like unplanned downtime. This paper will share a range of tests conducted with positive trial results demonstrating how a unique combination of chemistries can:
● Enhance profitability via reduced fuel and energy cost
● Improve productivity by maintaining equipment at optimal working condition
● Contribute to greater sustainability by reducing energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions, all without compromising lubricant and equipment durability
