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A Review on Lubrication Systems with Case Study

Article  in  Seybold Report · July 2020

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Journal of Seybold Report ISSN NO: 1533-9211

A Review on Lubrication Systems with Case Study

Sadiq Sha H A J1
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Student, Gitam Deemed To Be University, Bangalore 561203.
Corresponding author: sadiqsha321@gmail.com

Pradeep P Patil2
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Assistant professor, Gitam Deemed To Be University, Bangalore 561203.
E.mail:pradeep7333@gmail.com

Abstract: The lubrication process important process for prevention of corrosion and wear of bearings.
The grease lubrication is used in rolling contact bearings because it is mixed with oil and additives. The
grease has viscosity of 100 centistokes and max temperature of 121°C or 250 °F. It has self-healing property.
Multipurpose grease is used in perfect for hard to reach location overhead or garage door high temperature
greases is used in 325°F to protect the wear, high loads, rust, oxidation, water. The oil and air lubrication
system is also called as single line automation system. This lubrication process is used only for high speed
bearing, chains used in industrial propose. System is used to prevent dirt to reach the sensitive bearing. Oil
and air lubrication is eco-friendly lubrication. The air lubrication system is mainly used in ships. In this
process, air and water mixed and form boundary layer which is used to reduce the fuel usage which in turn
reduces the drage level and increases the speed of ships
Keywords: Grease lubrication, Oil - Air lubrication, Air lubrication

1. INTRODUCTION
The lubrication process plays a major role in prevention of corrosion and wear of
bearings. The process of lubrication are many types but we have considered, the
lubrication process is of three types like grease lubrication, oil and air lubrication,
air lubrication. The grease lubrication process is commonly used in bearings
Grease selection is based on temperature, bearing rolling element type, ball or
roller, operating speed and load on the bearing. The purpose of grease usage to
lower horsepower pumps and parameters that grease is depend on size and range
speed of rolling bearings in which we have considered lithium and silicon grease.
Grease is used as compare to oil and air and other lubrication system is 80% to
90%. Oil and air lubrication systems is used only for high speed bearing, chains
used in industrial propose the process of lubrication which helps in continuous
flow of lubricant. The air and oil lubrication system is stable for all processing
units and various industries like food and beverage, plastic processing, easy
system expansion which will protect the dust and corrosion. It is also used in the
form of super precision bearings. It is used in CNC machines.The air lubrication
system mainly used for ships like cruiser, navy ships etc. in this process, reduce
the drag force and it create the bounday layer of air and power saving is 5–15%
for ships.

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Figure 1: show the lubrication methods.

2. GREASE LUBRICATION
Grease is the most common lubricant for rolling contact bearing. Grease is a mix of base
oil, thickener and additives. It is extremely important chooses best quantity of grease for
bearings and another components. Grease selection is based on temperature, bearing
rolling element type, ball or roller, operating speed, and load on the bearing. The purpose
of grease usage is to lower horsepower pumps and parameters that grease is depend on
size and range speed of rolling bearings. Grease are two types use more lithium grease
and silicon grease. The grease has viscosity of 100 centistokes and max temperature is
121°C or 250 °F but moderate temperature of 93 °C or 200°C which avoid the loss of
grease shielded bearings are used. Shielded bearings moderated maxi temperature of 52
°C to 125°F. The grease lubrication prevent the leaking out of the bearing and it is easy to
use. [1] Grease has a good sealing property. It is a dynamic process, grease is applied
when the film breakdown and has self-healing property. Grease helps in separation of
rolling element ring contact with the lubrication to stay for long duration and has less
frictional properties. The property of the grease depend on the oil based because the oil
based has the quality of viscosity for speed range. The thickener is the grease which gives
a shear strength which is important for speed range of bearing lubrication. Lithium grease
has range of temperature of -30°C to 130°C. This change in viscosity is called thixotropy.
The extreme temperatures, the antioxidant additives have the ultimate effect of
lubrication. The grease are depend in NLGI (national lubricating greases institute) and the
measurement of hardness of the grease in following numbers from (ooo to 6)
The number from (000-1) is low graded The NO 1 grease is best for longer hose or cooler
temperatures. The NO 2 grease is most common hardness for grease it was recommended
by more manufacturers due to ability to stay
On normal temperature range and NLGI certification use of grease like NLGI
(GC), NLGI (LB}, NLGI (GC-LB).The NLGI (GC) is used in automotive wheel bearings
lubrication. The NLGI (LB) is used in automotive chassis lubrication. The NLGI (GC-
LB) is used for automotive wheel bearings and chassis both it can used at temperature
below 10°F and synthetic grease of ISO 220 is beat for all products. The premium greases
are used like grease is used trailer bearings without disc brakes at 250°F and chassis lube
points on tractors.it has water resistance in fresh water application and high performance
marine grease is used in the salt water protection multipurpose grease is used in perfect
for hard to reach location overhead or garage door high temperature greases is used in

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325°F to protect the wear, high lodes, rust, oxidation, water, car and the addition of moly
can protect from dirt and dust .the re lubrication is done when frictional forces increase
beyond quantifiable level.

Figure 2: show the grease lubrication system on bearings.

ADVANTAGES
The grease is the most important factor of bearing lubrication is to reduce failure of
bearing. The silicon grease should only be used in low supportive ability of normal grease
can change its EP and leads to additives containing not toused. The lithium grease has the
important properties like it is petroleum based grease. It has property to adhere to metals,
non-corrosive properties, moisture resistance, resistance to stress well, handles high
temperature and silicone grease also used as best advantages like moisture resistance,
various formulation ingestible. Lubrication of bearing helps in reduces of minimizing
friction, wear resistance in bearing, overheating, it also helps in job to long life. Protection
against contamination by foreign partials matter. Grease is an environment friendly.

DISADVANTAGES

High temperature grease is very expensive. Abrasive wear failure will occur due to
inadequate lubrication. Grease can be used once. It cannot be reused, poor heat transfer,
reduced flushing, life of grease is limited, seal failure etc. Lithium grease is not
recommend on no plastic, no rubber. Severe lubrication starvation occurs Causing bearing
failures. The oxidation process takes place (T > 120◦C).we should take care of re
lubrication other wise 1% to 2 % of bearings will cause failure. The grease in bearing
applies for week and months is one of the problems and monitoring of bearings is too
difficult. The excess of greasing or too much grease addition can cause pressure and push
the rolling element to fluid film to the outer race and bearing of excess of grease can
rotate hard and caused excess of heat that break down the grease and causes in efficient
waste of energy. In capable of filtering sound caused by low greasing

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Application

The main application of grease in slow speed under heavy loaded vehicles. It is used in
not practical convenient to use oil. It is used to lubricate chain sprocket, bearings that are
present machinery. Clutch disk, Lease bearing of contact area, sealing of bearings, it is
used in every commercial, industrial sector, mining, energy resource like cured oil plant,
wind mills, automotive, for mill bearings and food industry. Silicone grease is dental
tools, plumping of water, dielectric. Silicon grease can be used in plastic and rubber, low
temperature, low stress. Lithium grease is used in garage door openers, hinges and also
used in excavator parts like buckets cylinders, hydraulics, arm cylinders, arm root, tee,
single line distribution etc. excavator, big trucks, to protect from oxidation stability,
dispersant, use of grease help in excellent water tolerance, temperature stability, superior
anti wear properties is contain in grease.

CASE STUDY
The grease is used in the flowing automative and all bearing appilcation Fig 3: the below
figure show the use of greases in varoius places like Fig (a) The excavators parts like
buckets cylinders, hydraulics, arm cylinders, arm root, tee, single line distubustion. Fig
(b) The grease applied to wheel bearing and front wheel ends alignment of vehicles.
Fig(c) The suspension on wheels. Fig (d) Apply of greases on roller bearing. Fig (d ) the
apply of grease on trucks parts like spring pins, steering linkages, kingpins, slack
adjusters, break cams, tie rods, cross shafts etc. And all bearings.

Figure 3: the below figure show the use of greases in varoius places

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3. OIL AND AIR LUBRICATION SYSTEM

Oil and air lubrication systems is used only for high speed bearing, chains used in
industrial propose. Single line supply of injects a low metered quantity of oil in to a
mixing valve this system requires less lubricant and ensures high reliability for high speed
bearings. As air flow towards the mixture of oil and it reaches to a lubrication point to the
components of the material like bearings, chains with small amount of flow of mixture.
This result lead to insignificant of Overpressure that occur in the bearing housing which
prevent form dirt to reach sensitive bearings. This system requires less lubricant and
ensures high reliability for high speed bearings. Also, this system does not create oil mist,
oil fog this process is also eco-friendly Oil and air lubrication systems apply leading oil-
streak sensor technology and can be tailor- made. In new bar mill, looped roll bearing and
NTM guide roll bearings are lubricated with air oil lubrication. The air and oil lubrication
system is used for all lubrication process. It has NLGI number grade from 000, 00 and 0
grease. The oil-air distributor is an important point in the oil-air lubrication system. [2]
The process of lubrication which helps in continuous flow of lubricant to oil meter and
air is supplied to it by low pressure both oil and air are connected to a chambers that was
connected to the oil-air line in the system by oil meter the oil is send the micro volumes of
oil to lubrication to avoid oil mist and it was monitored by system then it is sent to
nozzle after the transportation of air stream line the lubrication is cool and with high
pressure of the air protect the bearing to become contamination .It is used for mini volume
lubrication system.

Figure 4: show the process of oil and air lubrication system.

ADVANTAGES
The air and oil lubrication system is stable for all processing units and various industries
like food and beverage, plastic processing, easy system expansion. [3] It will reduce of
wear and tear. The lubrication system has reduce the cost or cost efficient, it has the

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capability of increasing life of bearing, continuous lubrication, no formation of mist. Low

maintenance cost, protection of dust formation on bearings. Corrosion protective etc.
Accurately supplies of oil. Oil is more viscosity is 10 to 32 mm2/ the lubrication process
can gives a cooling defect as compare to grease and oil lubrication, high accuracy.

DISADVANTAGES
The process of oil and air lubrication system is not suitable for the heavy lubrications. It
cannot with stand at low temperature like cold. They don’t give much support if used with
bad quality lubricants (Low quality lubricants can damage lubrication system) you are
using low quality automatic lubrication systems (Only use high quality lubrication
system designed by professionals) It will not give you benefit if you set incorrect timer for
equipment lubrication. We should know that when the equipment needs maintenance and
when not. Over lubrication can cause negative impact on the lubrication systems.

APPLICATION
The air and oil lubrication system process is mainly used in varoius application like
bearings lubrication. It is also used in wheel flange lubricaton, chain lubrication, cutting
and shapeing machines, gear train lubrication. We should understand, when the oil and air
lubrication system is used.[4] When the lubrication flow is insufficient due to this we
need of micro-volumes that help in continous flow of lubrication. In this case, It is used in
high speed bearings like rolling bearing.it is also used form super precision bearings
which is used in CNC machines.

4.AIR LUBRICATION
The air lubrication system is mainly usefull for ships. In this process of lubrication, The
water and air is mixed in the chamber and sent to the unit air chamber and boundary later
is formed on the surface by the insectionable limited amount air into the boundry layer
under the hole and the frictional resistance. The hole significantly depending of the vessel
type the fuel comsuption typically reduced by 5 to 10 percent. The silverstream is an used
friendly and works in all weather conditions and air release unit occupies 1 percent of
flank bottom the system insures that water interaction required is very little energy this
mean smaller integration ensures the energy balance there for better saving the silver
stream system consist air releases units, compressors, automation system, piping, cables.
Silver stream system has debility in this process, the compressed air is sent to air release
unit and the air is released into the boundary layer like the micro bubbles this helps the
pressure to glide through the water with the reduced resistance. The air carpet cover the
full bottom of the vessel and remain to the boundary layer for the entire length of the
vessel air lubrication is possibility of saving fuel air all time by the switch the system on
and off when the system is turn on an imitated dropping of the shaft powder can be
followed by an increases the speed. [5]

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Figure 5 :show the process of air lubrication

Figure 6: show the air lubrication system used in ships instalation

ADVANTAGES
The process of air lubrication sytem is used in ships like navy ships, cruise, ferry etc. It
reduces the drag level, it reduce the fuel useage in ships, efficient in reducing drag,
increases the flow of ship. It is an eco-frindly no limitaion in the cavity of ship. A net
power saving of 5–15% for ships. The air injection rate can be adjusted in this lubrication
process prevent extra force acting on the hull.

DIS ADVANTAGES
In the air lubrication process, there are less disadvantages like air flow in this system is
more and it did not maintain the constant flow rate of air layer. It is effective only in
minimum range of distance; the effectiveness is low in heavy waves flow in sea or ocean

APPLICATION
The main applications of air lubrication system are in ships like navy ships, cruise, Air
Cavity ships. The lubrication process is mainly less effective on maneuvering in the ship.
The below figures (5) show the applications. The fig (a) show the ship of cruise. The fig
(b) show the carrier ship. The fig (c) show the navy ship. The fig (d) show the process of
air lubrication in ship.

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Figure 7: show the application of the air lubrication process.

Conclusions
The grease lubrication is have more advantages as compare to oil and air lubrication. The
more predominantly grease lubrication is widely practiced. This type of lubrication
system is used in excavator, trucks. The applications of oil and air lubrication are used in
heavy lubrication system like bearing at high temperature, gear train which has high
accuracy. The air lubrication system is useful for ships to reduce the drag force, fuel save
a net power saving of 5–15% for ships.

References
[1] Piet M. Lugt. "A Review on Grease Lubrication in Rolling Bearings”, Tribology
Transactions, 2009.
[2] Sun, Qi Guo, Zheng Hui Zhou, Hong Bo Lv, and Yue Fei Wang. "Study on
Distribution Performance of a New Oil-Air Distributor in OilAir Lubrication
System”, Advanced Materials Research, 2014.
[3] Sun, Qi Guo, Zheng Hui Zhou, and Yue Fei Wang. "Experiment of Effects of Oil
Volume-PerCycle on Oil Film’s Thickness under Oil-Air Lubrication" , Applied
Mechanics and Materials, Exclude quotes Off Exclude bibliography Off Exclude
matches Off 2014.
[4] Mang,. "OEM”, Encyclopedia of Lubricants and Lubrication, 2014.
[5] Submitted to International Maritime College, Oman

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