Three ingredients for food-grade lubes from Croda Lubricants have received HX-1 registration from NSF International, bringing new options to formulators who are trying to ensure food safety without compromising performance. Priolube 3999 is a biodegradable and low-volatility synthetic ester with good high-temperature properties, and can function as both a base fluid and an additive. Priolube 3966 is an oxidatively stable and biodegradable ester suitable for high-temperature applications; it also is hydrolytically stable for longer life. Crodasinic O rounds out the trio: A highly effective corrosion inhibitor derived from natural fatty acids and amino acid sarcosine, it too is biodegradable. Web: www.crodalubricants.com/

Switch Assures Grease Flow

Few places put such a high premium on space as the nacelle of a wind turbine, so SKF has designed its lubrication system to assure greater reliability without dead space. That includes the compact new DSB1 pressure switch, used for monitoring centralized grease lubrication systems. The switch attaches directly to the lubricant line (rather than branching off as conventional pressure switches do to a cul-de-sac, where grease can form blockages). The DSB1 is installed before the last distributor, which assures that the grease constantly flows past the switch; it cannot harden and render the pressure switch ineffective. SKF lubrication systems can be included in newly designed equipment or retrofitted to older wind turbines. Web: www.skf.com/lubrication

Compressor Lubes for Food Plants

Ultrachems new series of Omnilube food-grade rotary screw and reciprocating air compressor lubricants offer greatly improved wear, oxidation and lubricity versus currently available H1 food-grade synthetic fluids. Field tests have shown that Omnilube 32/46 and 68 (for rotary screw compressors) and 455 (for reciprocating models) outlast other synthetic H1 lubricants by up to 100 percent. In rotary screw compressors, for example, they give a service life of up to 8,000 hours. Made from high-quality PAO base stocks and additives designed for long service life, the fluids meet the USDA regulations for incidental food contact (21 CFR 178.3570) and conform to NSF H1. Plus theyre approved by the Orthodox Union for Kosher applications. Web: www.ultracheminc.com

Many Vehicles, One ATF

Lubrication Engineers new multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluid, Monolec Syn, has an uptreated additive package with a proprietary wear-reducing additive. The new formulation is suitable for regular to severe duty use in a variety of automatic transmissions in passenger cars and trucks, it says, including GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota and other vehicles. In an anti-shudder durability test, Monolec Syn multi-vehicle ATF provided four to five times the protection required by the OEM, says LEs John Sander. These results translate into extended performance and fewer drains in an actual transmission. Fleet owners will be able to stock and use this single ATF, rather than multiple products, the company adds. Web: www.le-inc.com

Food-grade Ester, Lube

Nyco America has expanded its food-grade line of esters to include Nycobase 45004 FG, and also formulated a new oven chain oil called Nycolube 5850 FG. The ester has achieved NSF HX-1 status, so lubricant formulators can blend it with other approved components to make food-grade lubricants that qualify for H1 listing in the NSF Whitebook. Nycolube 5850 FG, the oven chain oil, is an ISO VG 220 that holds H1 registration for use in food and beverage plants where incidental food contact may occur. Based on complex neopolyol esters, the oven chain oil can be used at temperatures up to 240 degrees C. Additional benefits are good resistance to oxidation and coking, excellent adhesive properties, and lubricity under humid conditions. E-mail: hpinchevsky @nycoamerica.com

Take it from Al

Amsoil has rounded out its Signature Series line of synthetic engine oils with the addition of three more viscosity grades: SAE 0W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. Wearing colorful labels decorated with the signature of company founder Alan Amatuzio, these are the companys very best offerings, and promise motorists they can extend drain intervals up to 25,000 miles or one year (or 15,000 miles/one year for severe service conditions). These top-tier products join Amsoil OE oils (for OEM-recommended drain intervals) and its XL Synthetic oils (for twice-yearly changes). As well as meeting the new ILSAC GF-5 spec and API SN Resource Conserving category, Amsoil says the product meets the new GM Dexos1 specification. Web: www.amsoil.com

Tough Oven Chain Oil

New Chain Guard Food Safe 220 H1 is a food-grade, synthetic ester based chain oil from a division of Ordan Thermal Products. Fortified with antiwear additives and oxidation inhibitors to optimize its performance and stability, the premium lubricant has been improved to handle the harsh environments of food-processing facilities. It has a wide operating temperature range of -25 to 315 degrees C (-13 to 599 F) and natural detergency to minimize carbon buildup on chains. Applications include bakery oven chains, conveyors, pin/roller chains on tunnel and tray ovens, beverage can lines and more. Chain Guard Food Safe 220 H1 has a high flash point, and is registered NSF H1 for incidental food contact in and around food-processing areas. Web: www.Chain GuardLubricants.ca

NADM Picks Champion

Champion Brands has signed an official product sponsorship agreement with the five-year-old National Association of Diesel Motorsports, making it the official diesel oil of this sanctioning organization. This is Champions first foray into competitive diesel racing, which includes events such as diesel drag racing, sled pulling and dyno competitions. Its an ideal proving ground for our new Blue Flame performance diesel motor oil technology, says the companys Mike Reddick. Champion Brands Blue Flame diesel motor oils are formulated with high-zinc performance additives for superior protection, advance polymer technology and high TBN, in a blend of synthetic and conventional base oils. Web: www.ChampionsUseChampion.com

Biobased Options

Two hydraulic fluids from Houghton International – Cosmolubric B-230 and Cosmolubric B-220 FMA – have earned U.S. Department of Agriculture certification as biobased products. Both exceed the USDAs minimum biobased content percentage, and have the right to display the attention-getting new Bio-Preferred logo on their labels. Cosmolubric B-230 is a vegetable ester based fluid with inherent biodegradability, yet has the lubricity, pump life and oxidative stability of some costly polyol ester fluids. Vegetable oil based Cosmolubric B-220 is a fire-resistant hydraulic fluid (per FM Approvals) with enhanced corrosion protection and metal passivation; its suitable for steel mills, foundries and die-casting, says Houghton. Web: www.houghtonintl.com

NSF Nod for Plews & Edelmann

Food, beverage and drug manufacturers can choose from Plews & Edelmanns new line of UltraLube food-grade lubricants, which meet NSF H1 requirements for use in and around food-processing areas. UltraLube H1 Food Machinery grease has extreme-pressure capabilities, superior adhesion and rust/corrosion protection for ferrous metal parts, says the maker. UltraLube H1 Food Grade Chain & Cable Lube protects moving parts while generating less mist than comparable mineral oil products, and H1 Food Grade hydraulic oil offers high flash and fire points for safety. The biobased oil used in these products is said to have four times the natural lubricity of petroleum based oils. Web: www.plews-edelmann.com

Control and Monitor Viscosity

Need real-time data logging during your blending processes? A new PLC-based viscosity control system that controls up to 10 stations, provides three trend plots for each, and allows adjustment during operation is being introduced by Norcross. The Visc6000 viscosity control system operates viscosity sensors and monitors and controls them all through an intuitive touch-screen interface. Featuring trend plot software, the system displays data for each station in real-time, produces data logging for one hour or up to seven days, and permits set-points and other parameter adjustments on the fly. Options include pH and temperature controls. Web: www.viscosity.com

Stricter Rules Offshore?

Many nations – the U.S., U.K., Canada and others – are moving to regulate fluids used in marine areas, based on biodegradation, bioaccumulation and toxicity, says Castrol Offshore. Norway, for example, requires that discharged lubricants and chemicals used in closed systems offshore (crane hydraulics, drilling systems, winching gears, etc.) be tested and registered for offshore use. For equipment operators who seek to meet such rules without jeopardizing performance, Castrols Greenfield series of lubricants are far ahead of the curve. The Norwegian-compliant products include Castrol BioBar hydraulic fluid; thruster-specific Castrol BioStat; Castrol Anvol CF22 for BOP control systems; Castrol BioTac for jacking legs and deck machinery, and Castrol BioTrans for gearboxes. Website: www.castrol.com/offshore

Be Weather Wise

Its hurricane season again: Is your maintenance department prepared to quickly recover electrical and electronic equipment in case of rain and flood damage? CRC Industries says it can help put a fast and inexpensive plan in place. Start by downloading the free Water-Damage Guide from its websites Solutions Center. It outlines the necessary steps to safely clean and flush the equipment, remove harmful residues and contaminants such as oil and sludge, and displace harmful moisture. The guide also describes how to check that the equipment is ready to be energized and put back into service, and recommends products to consider for your recovery kit including CRC Heavy Duty De greaser, CRC 2-26 moisture displacing lubricant and CRC Contact Cleaner 2000. Web: www. crcindustries.com/ei