Dow Lubricant Increases Gearbox Efficiency

Assuming that a wind turbine is going to produce electricity is reasonable to most people. But what about increasing a gearbox’s efficiency through the use of a high-quality lubricant? For most, that’s typically the farthest thing from a pressing matter, but such thinking can greatly impact a plant’s operating and energy costs.

Dow recently introduced the UCON GL-320 lubricant. Its high viscosity index addresses the issue of cold weather causing hi lubricant viscosity without the need for VI improvers. GL-320 also has a higher heat capacity than hydrocarbon oils, allowing it to dissipate heat more effectively and minimizing the chance of a shutdown when operating stresses are at a maximum. It also addresses the issue of micropitting, which can severely shorten the service life of a gear, as micropitting can erode a gear’s tooth and decrease gear accuracy over time. This is because GL-320 creates a thicker lubricant film and reduces the chance of debris and worn particles damaging gears.

GL-320 is a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) based lubricant. By combining PAG with proprietary additives, Dow has created a revolutionary new lubricant that allows gearboxes to pay for themselves many times over through increased energy savings.