Characterization of Lubrication and Cooling Systems For Industrial Machinery

All machinery, equipment or facility, incorporatesvast majority of industrial machinery and equipment,
contact and relative movement to develop a specificcooling systems and lubrication are independent.
work. The reduction of friction between theMoreover, the random mix of coolant and oil can be
elements in contact (reducing losses of material andharmful, especially in air and moisture. The accidental
energy) is achieved by interposing a lubricating film.inclusion of a certain amount of refrigerant into the
Among other functions, lubrication systems also getlubrication circuit and the consequent reduce of the
to evacuate part of the heat generated due to theviscosity and lubricity of the oil, can initiate the
development of the machine cycle, thereby makingdecomposition and accelerate corrosion of metal
cooling function. However, most machines has asurfaces of the circuit. Similarly, the presence of oil in
self-cooling system to maintain the temperature ofthe cooling system reduces efficiency and requires
their bodies and mechanisms within certain securitydisposal of oil available separately. This problem, as its
settings so the materials remains in their initialknown, is particularly important in refrigeration
properties.equipment. As a general rule, you should use coolants
The cooling and lubrication are, together with theand lubricants of high quality, avoid the presence of
operation and regulation, the main systems thatcontaminants and provide locking mechanisms and
integrates a machine and allow them to operateappropriate insulation to prevent the interference of
under standard conditions of service. Launching of thethe two systems. This idea is applicable to a
mechanical elements is required to lubricate themultitude of machines for the machining of metals,
contact surfaces, while maintaining operatingengines, etc..
temperatures within acceptable margins.In addition, certain equipment, such as certain types
In the design project of a machine, besides theof compressors, has integrated systems for cooling
fatigue calculation of items such as trees, gears orand lubricating, so that there is only a working fluid
bearings, it is necessary to define also the cooling andcircuit with a single covering, simultaneously, the
lubrication systems, specifying the procedure to belubrication and cooling needs.
used in each case, the components and the type ofFinally, it should be highlighted that both the lubrication
fluid refrigerant and / or lubricant. These are twoand cooling, as well as enabling the operation of
parallel systems, consisting, in many cases, in hydraulicmachinery and lengthen its useful life, are part of
circuits with similar characteristics.routine maintenance operations. Indeed, lubricant and
Although not always necessary, sometimes must becoolant should be replaced every few hours,
made by cooling lubricant, especially in large machinesdepending on the particular conditions of service of
(high power generators) and oleohydrauliceach machine and the properties of fluids used, for
transmissions through a heat exchanger whichproper operation and reduce maintenance costs
circulates a certain quantity of water or cooling ofresulting from non-stops scheduled, lack of availability,
the machine itself.etc..
Excluding exceptional cases, as we shall see, in the