Page 47: of Marine News Magazine (July 2015)

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grease and BIOGREASE EP 2. These lubricants are all 15380 for environmentally acceptable lubricants, there are

EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) compliant and Panolin four base oil categories; HEPR, HETG, HEPG and HEES. has chosen a saturated ester base oil technology. There are pros and cons to each base oil choice. Working

According to Panolin, lubrication solutions should be with your provider will enable you to navigate these points.

about performance ? rst and then regulations as a support- Base oil is a critical choice but don’t dismiss the formula- ing aspect. Vessel operators lubricate to prevent wear (save tion. Additives are 5-20% of the lubricant. One can select our equipment), reduce friction (better performance), re- the type of base oil but additives or the formulation is the move heat, prevent rust and corrosion, remove contami- most proprietary portion of the ? uid and experience and nants and, most of all, operate at peak performance. Com- trial and error can play a large part in formulations work- pliance is crucial but focusing on performance will help ing or not working. Additives – consisting of modi? ers, drive users to the best EAL. oil protectors and surface protectors – need to work well

When looking at the EPA’s VGP, EAL manufacturers all try with each other and support the base oil. Modi? ers are to reach the same standards. These standard are biodegrad- used to improve the natural performance of the base oil. able or readily biodegradable, minimally-toxic and not bio- Oil protectors are used in lubricants to inhibit undesirable accumulative or no bioaccumulation. The criteria for these changes in lubricants. Surface protectors are used to add standards are spelled out in the VGP. With the “technically new performance characteristics. Users will be well served infeasible” aspect of the VGP under great scrutiny, it is clear to depend on experience and a successful history when that, eventually, end users are going to have to make EAL choosing a lubricant. The Panolin vessel application and lubricant choices; sooner rather than later. Based on ISO lubricant guide is a great place to start. www.panolin.com 47 www.marinelink.com MN