Lubricants editorial
Despite using a number of different major branded coolants over a period of years, Ensinger Ltd, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engineering and high performance plastics, was unable to achieve satisfactory results at its Llantrisant plant in South Wales.
The company operated a rigorous programme of continual condition monitoring to ensure that coolant concentration was maintained at correct levels. However, following periods of inactivity, high levels of bacteria were prevalent - characterised by the smell of 'bad eggs', - and coolant life did not achieve desirable levels. The company had also experienced operator skin problems and whilst every effort was being made to eradicate the problems, company managers were understandably nervous about another change of coolant.
Gulf Lubricants (UK) Ltd was invited to investigate the problem and found that moderate levels of tramp oil contamination was present which the soluble oil was unable to tolerate. This provided a breeding ground for major bacterial growth, so GulfCut HF, with its sophisticated biocides, was recommended.
One of Gulf's flagship products, GulfCut HF delivers significant advantages over most similar products on the market. These include significant health & safety benefits, increased sump and tool life, and reduced disposal costs.
Results have been dramatic and the chlorine-free GulfCut has successfully kept bacterial contamination under control. Working conditions have improved; associated health and safety problems eliminated and the impact on costs and productivity have been significant.
Soluble oil sump life has doubled and disposal costs have reduced by around 45%. High lubricity levels, a key strength of the Gulf product, has enabled Ensinger Ltd to extend tool life and improve machine performance.
Phil Williams at Gulf Lubricants: "Tramp Oil is a major cause of bacterial growth. In ideal conditions a bacteria can multiply every 20 minutes and in 8 hours a single bacteria can produce a colony of 8 million. Whilst it is not possible to prevent bacteria, a high performance product such as GulfCut HF will control bacteria at a minimal level for a very long period of time as it proved for Ensinger Ltd. If tramp oil is regularly skimmed off the surface of the soluble oil, the problem is minimised further although it remains virtually impossible to remove all of it, even with the best housekeeping procedures."
"In my experience, run of the mill products simply do not have the sophistication to work effectively creating unnecessary additional costs. In a properly managed system where emulsion concentration levels are monitored, GulfCut products will last many months and we have cases of GulfCut HF still running in systems 2 years after initial fill."
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