26/11/2019 by Mark
GE and oil major ExxonMobil have jointly announced their new Mobil SHC 918 EE lubricant for gas turbines. It is currently the only lubricant on the market that meets the Energy Efficient (EE) GEK 121603 specification developed by GE for turbine oils.
The new lubricant was developed collaboratively between GE and ExxonMobil for use in the 6FA.01, 7HA, 7FA GE, and 9HA multishaft gas turbines. It promises up to a 15% improvement in bearing efficiency when compared to turbine oils based on the conventional ISO VG 32 standard. As fuel costs can represent as much as 80% of the running costs for power generators, the new lubricant offers substantial potential cost savings. It also reduces operating temperatures, which in turn helps to extend the turbine’s operational life and limit the amount of maintenance required.
ExxonMobil’s director of strategic global alliances, Tim Hinchman, said:
“Working with the GE team over the past several years has helped us develop a truly next-generation product that can deliver dramatic results for gas turbine operators across the U.S. and around the world. Mobil SHC 918 EE utilizes our latest technology to reduce gas consumed per KW generated.”
He added that power generators could potentially achieve five- or even six-digit savings by switching to the new Mobil oil, depending on the nature and scale of their operations. The new lubricant has been rigorously tested under various extreme conditions, including a two-year field test by GE in its 6FA and 7FA turbines.
You may also interested in:
How to avoid lubricant cross-contamination
Most industrial and manufacturing sites involve running a range of different machinery.
What should you do if the wrong lubricant has been used in industrial machinery?
Using the incorrect lubricant in industrial machinery can result in many unwanted outcomes. These include accelerated wear and tear, excessive heat, poor efficiency, seal damage, a build-up of sludge and,