Shell gives the wheel an environmentally friendly lift

Citation

(2007), "Shell gives the wheel an environmentally friendly lift", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 54 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2007.12854bab.005

Shell gives the wheel an environmentally friendly lift

Shell gives the wheel an environmentally friendly lift

The stunningly impressive Falkirk Wheel, which joins the Union and Forth & Clyde canals on the Scottish waterways system, is now using biodegradable Shell Naturelle HF-E 46 fluid to ease the motion of this giant boat lift.

The Falkirk Wheel is the spectacular centrepiece of the £84.5 million “Millennium Link” the UK's largest canal restoration project developed by British Waterways to reconnect the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal, re-establishing east to west coast access for boats.

The Wheel is run by British Waterways which has resolved to ensure that it does what it can to minimize pollution and the use of Shell Naturelle means that any accidental spillages are now rapidly broken down by natural processes, without the Wheel having to compromise on performance.

In addition to providing hydraulic lubricants for the 1,500 ton, 35m high dual-boat lift, the three-year contract between Shell Lubricants and British Waterways will also see the agency use Shell Naturelle HF-E 46 in its own contracted machinery and vehicles working in environmentally sensitive situations.

Shell won the business competing against a number of specialist lubricant suppliers and other major oil companies. The process was technically detailed and rigorous, with Shell Naturelle HF-E 46 having to meet and exceed multiple biodegradability tests.

Shell Naturelle HF-E is an advanced biodegradable hydraulic fluid for use in power transmission and hydraulic systems working in environmentally sensitive areas. Synthetic esters blended with a specially tailored additive system provide Shell Naturelle HF-E with a superior balance of biodegradability, lubrication performance and compatibility with the environment.

“Shell Naturelle proved it can work well under stringent testing conditions and has demonstrated that an environmentally considerate oil can perform in the field, as well as meeting a company's sustainability objectives,” said Robert Jackson, British Waterways M & E Engineer for the Falkirk Wheel, who has been closely associated with the Falkirk Wheel since it was commissioned in June 2003, and who also praised the partnership approach adopted by Shell Oil Products.

This collaborative approach of working with business partners is nothing new for Shell Lubricants as UK B2B Marketing Manager, Shell Lubricants, Andrew Gibson explained: “It would be easy for us to think our job was over once we had sold our products, but we realize that by working with our customers, we can ensure that they have the right lubricant for the right situation and their machinery runs at maximum efficiency with the protection needed.”

British Waterways operates in many sensitive areas such as forests and watercourses and any hydraulic machines now operated in places such as these will be using Shell Naturelle biodegradable lubricants.

The key requirements for an environmentally sensitive oil in these situations are high biodegradability, low ecotoxicity to plants and animals, and an excellent technical performance. The ideal biodegradable lubricant provides all the performance characteristics of its mineral oil equivalent. Many biodegradable fluids have limitations – but the Shell Naturelle range successfully solves these technical problems for most normal uses.

The fluids are broken down in soil or water by naturally-occurring micro  organisms, fungi and bacteria to release energy, producing the ultimate end-product of water, carbon dioxide, new microbial biomass and a small residue of indigestible substances.

“Spillages of any lubricant should always be actively prevented, however, British Waterways now has the reassurance that the Falkirk Wheel, which receives over 250,000 visitors a year, will keep turning smoothly, without once giving tourists anything but a graceful and picturesque ride,” added Mr Gibson.

The Shell Naturelle range of fluids is created from a variety of base oils, for example, vegetable oils and synthetic esters, whereas non-biodegradable fluids are usually made entirely from mineral oils. The range includes hydraulic oils, gear oils and greases.

As well as passing key biodegradability and ecotoxicity tests, the technical performance of Shell Naturelle has been established by recent trials carried out in severe applications, such as wheel loaders. Shell Naturelle HF-E 46 meets the requirements of Swedish Standard SS 15 54 34 for “environmentally acceptable” hydraulic fluids. After thousands of running hours the oils showed excellent performance in terms of protecting the hydraulic system and preventing pump wear.

Shell Naturelle Fluids HF-E are advanced biodegradable hydraulic fluids designed for use in environmentally sensitive areas such as forests, parks and ski areas. A special blend of synthetic esters and a tailored additive system, Shell Naturelle HF-E fluids strike a balance between biodegradability, lubrication performance and environmental acceptability (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Falkirk Wheel using biodegradable Shell Naturelle HF-E 46 fluid

They have a high propensity to be broken down rapidly in the environment and come with additives that ensure true multigrade performance in a wide variety of operating conditions. The fluids are compatible with all seal materials and paints normally specified for use with petroleum mineral oils, and are available in four viscosity grades.

Shell Naturelle HF-E performance features include: readily biodegradable; outstanding viscosity/temperature characteristics; high shear stability; optimum corrosion and wear protection; good oxidation resistance.

Meets key industry standards: Komatsu BO46-G3; Swedish Standard SS 15 54 34 BV; Eaton (M-2950-A and I-286-A) anti-wear requirements for vane pumps; recognized by Hitachi as being capable of 2,000h without fluid change; DIN 51524 Part 2 or 3 (HLP/ HVLP) anti-wear petroleum mineral oil specification.