Fluids 101: Everything

You Need To Know, from

Selection to Disposal
eBook
 Fluids 101: Everything
You Need To Know, from
Selection to Disposal
Did you know that there are hundreds of different lubricants on the market? That’s because every
piece of machinery and every process requires a unique type of lubricant that performs a specific
function. The choices can be confusing, so to help you understand what lubricant is right for your
specific needs, we’ve outlined the primary categories and the main lubricant types. We’ll also share
insights that will help you understand how to dispense and dispose of your lubricant.

Use this overview to help select the right lubricant, at the right price, and from the right supplier –
because the lubricant you choose can affect the performance and longevity of your equipment.

PART 1
Selecting The Right Fluid for Your Application
What’s the right lubricant to ensure proper performance, optimize productivity, and reduce wear? It
depends on the industry you’re in and the equipment needing lubrication. The outline below identifies
the primary lubricant types for some of the most common industries and equipment used in each.

Industrial Applications
• Hydraulic fluids. Depending on the application, you have a choice of several anti-wear (AW)
lubricants, such as: HP-II high performance, multi-viscosity, fire-resistant, all-season, or
environmentally friendly lubricants
• Gear oils. Fluids in either EP or non-EP formulations are designed for applications as specified by
AGMA 9005-D94, AGMA 9005-E02, U.S. Steel 224, and a wide range of viscosity grades.
• Compressor oils. Synthetic ester or synthetic polyglycol are most commonly used for
compressors, as they are designed for use in rotary and reciprocating compressors/vacuum
pumps and feature superior anti-foam properties that provide film strength and heat control;
polyglycol is ideal in applications with wide temperature ranges and minimal mixing with gas
being compressed. For compressor applications, polyalphaolefin (PAO) and mineral based oils are
also recommended
• Greases. Premium multipurpose (MP) grease, including hi-temp, moly, and multi-purpose
greases protect against failure should lubricant starvation occur, and resist water washout and
water spray-off
• Miscellaneous fluids. Choose fluids formulated for applications that require high thermal
efficiency and stability; harsh paper mill environments; heavy loads/slow speed steam cylinders;
high-temp chain tubes; or food manufacturing environments (HSF-H1 registered)
• Renewable/biodegradable fluids. Choose these types of fluids in order to meet the most
stringent requirements for sustainable sourcing and biodegradable performance (Eco Label, Food
Grade, Pharmaceutical, U.S. EPA VGP 2013)
Metalworking Applications
• Cutting oils. There are a number of products designed for cutting equipment. Choose from
light duty cutting and grinding; general purpose, heavy duty machining; and for tri-functional
and HD machining. Honing and lapping oil is developed for both light-duty and moderate-heavy.
Biodegradable is also available
• Coolants. Choose from among premium water dilutable, biostable, ED; water-soluble; semi-
synthetic, mild pH, micro-emulsion; economy or premium synthetic MQL fluids. Minimum
quantity lubrication fluids include biodegradable cutting mist fluids
• Corrosion inhibitors/cleaners/degreasers. For rust inhibitors, choices include premium
anti-rust preservative, compressor, and hydraulic oil; water-displacing, waxy film; quick-dry,
fingerprint-resistant, non-tacky; and water-dilutable, synthetic rust-preventative. Cleaners/
degreasers include premium liquid floor cleaner; alkaline multi-metal cleaner, biodegradable
concentrate; medium-duty parts cleaner; heavy-duty parts cleaner; and premium ultra-sonic
cleaner

Commercial & Heavy Duty Applications

• Diesel engine oils. Diesel engines require one of the following: supreme engine oils API-certified
to meet OEM requirements; military-specified engine oils for military vehicle applications; or
synthetic diesel engine oils for superior performance and reduced fuel costs
• Hydraulic fluids. Fluid categories for hydraulics include several anti-wear lubricants, such
as: HP-II high performance for extreme conditions; multi-vis (cold weather performance and
heavy loads); multi-vis R (extreme protection at all temperatures); zinc-free (environmentally
friendly and high performance); fire-resistant; synthetic (reduces wear and ensures long oil life);
synthetic all-season; biodegradable; and U.S. military specified (for military vehicles)
• Gear oils. Wide range gear oils provide effective lubrication that reduces wear and improves gas
mileage for all makes and models; synthetic oils also available
• Greases. Commercial and heavy duty applications require premium lithium grease, including
hi-temp, moly, and multi-purpose greases
• Transmission fluids. Today many OEMs are recommending a specific fluid for their vehicles, and
the experts at U.S. Lubricants can help you identify which is required for your application in order
to enhance performance and protection
Passenger Car/Auto Applications
• Engine oils. These oils are designed for a variety of needs, including wear protection, cleaning
action, heat protection, viscosity control, and emission control
• Transmission fluids. Multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluids eliminate the need to stock a
variety of fluids that each only meet a single manufacturer’s specifications
• Coolants & Antifreeze. Look for low-silicate and phosphate-free formulations that work with all
cars and light duty trucks, and that protect all cooling system materials including aluminum

PART 2
Storing & Handling Your Fluid
Lubricants are just as important as the machinery they’re being used with, and should be treated with
the same care to avoid waste associated with degraded product that often happens as the result of
improper storage and handling. Below are some best practices related to storage of fluids.

Order the most practical size. Lubricants come in a variety of sizes – most typically pails, drums,
totes, and bulk tanks. The most appropriate for your facility and applications depends on:

• Usage. If you use a significant amount of fluid, choose the most economical and that which is
best suited to your storage capacity
• Your need for emergency stock, like stock to account for delivery delays
• Delivery time. Some fluids require a longer lead time (like specialty fluids), while others can
regularly be delivered within 24 hours. Understanding the average for each type you order will
help you know what size to purchase; the quicker the delivery, the less inventory you have to
store
Follow storage life guidelines. Lubricant manufacturers provide a recommended shelf life to ensure
optimum performance. Some fluids last for years while others, because of their additives, may have
much shorter shelf lives. All fluids should be shelved using a “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) method to
ensure that the oldest product is used before newer product. This rotation will help keep you from
using fluid that has exceeded its shelf life.

Things that affect storage life include:

Fluctuations in temperature. Fluctuations in temperature within your storage area affect the quality
of fluids because air within the head space of a container (the space between the cap and the product)
moves. As that air becomes cooler and contracts, for example, even tightly sealed containers “suck
in” air to account for the outside pressure. In that air is moisture and airborne particles that affect the
fluid and reduce its shelf life and performance.

Humidity. Petroleum-based lubricants are hygroscopic, meaning they exchange moisture with the
environment they’re in to a point where they are equal. When exposed to moist air, lubricants that are
hygroscopic naturally absorb moisture; moisture degrades additives in the lubricant. Drum breathers
can be installed to help mitigate the risk of humidity affecting the product.

Storage Location
Indoor storage. Lubricants should be stored away from contaminants within your facility, including
dust and humidity. Whether pail, drum, tote, or tank, the container’s bung should be kept tight; drum
covers should always be used when drums are upright. If stored horizontally, drums should be stored
on racks specifically designed for the drum, and that allow you to use a “first in, first out” (FIFO)
method of use and replenishment. There are a number of systems available specifically designed for
effective identification, transfer, storage, and dispensing of lubricants.

Outside storage. If your fluids are stored outside, the FIFO method is especially important, as
temperatures greatly affect quality of the fluids. Additional tips:

•• Keep containers protected from rain, snow, and other elements

•• Lay drums on their sides with the bungs at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions (these are positions
where the bungs are most likely to be below the fluid level) to reduce the risk of your seals drying
out and any moisture getting in
•• If the drums must be placed upright, use drum covers or tilt the drums to drain any moisture that
gathers on the top
•• Water-based fluids should not be stored outside, especially if your location experiences extreme
temperatures that cause freezing and/or evaporation
Labeling
Product Identification. All containers should be clearly labeled to avoid misuse. Take time to make
sure labels are legible and won’t fade or be worn off over time, especially on containers stored outside.
The added use of a color-coding system also helps workers select the right fluid for the application.
Additional labeling to help ensure proper use include:

•• The date the container is opened

•• Purchase and delivery date
•• Date of product blending
•• Product name
•• Inventory code
•• Product application
•• Maximum and minimum inventory level

Dispensing equipment identification. Lubricant dispensing equipment is often the cause of cross-
contamination issues. If, for example, you dispense oil through equipment that was at one time used
with a different lubricant, the two may mix and lead to contamination. All equipment – transport
containers, hand pumps, transfer carts, and filter carts – should be properly labeled, indicating the
lubricant to be used with it. If your dispensing equipment must be used for more than one type of
lubricant, it’s critical to flush and clean that equipment to remove all traces of the last lubricant used in
the system.

Re-suspending additives. Additives often settle to the bottom of their containers, so it’s important,
before dispensing, to agitate the lubricant to distribute those additives throughout. A drum tumbler
works well for smaller containers, while special equipment (like a circulating rig with dirt and water
removal filters) can be used to agitate large bulk systems.

Opened containers. Once you’ve broken a lubricant’s seal you must take proper precautions to
avoid contamination. Ingestion, which is the “taking in” of air, is the prime cause of contamination,
though measures can be put in place to reduce the risk. Bulk tanks and drums can be fitted with filter
breathers, while pails simply require lids when not in use.

Even with these measures in place, contamination can occur when filling or topping off your container.
To avoid contaminating fluid during the process:

•• Avoid using open or dirty containers when transferring fluids; use properly identified, capped
containers for low-volume transfers
•• Put the oil through a high-efficiency filter with a beta rating that matches your equipment. If
lubricant is stored in a moist area, use a two-stage filtering with a water-absorbing filter
•• When transferring lubricants to portable containers, do not use galvanized containers. Additives
in the lubricant can react with the zinc plating, creating metal soaps that can clog machinery
PART 3
Dispensing Your Fluid
Clean equipment is critical when dispensing fluids, and
includes anything involved in the process:
•• When dispensing fluids, self-closing spouts are
preferable to the use of funnels. If you can’t avoid
using funnels, make sure they’re clean prior to use
•• Each container and all equipment should be
clearly labeled for the specific lubricant and used
only for that product
•• The equipment used for introducing the lubricant
to the point of final use should be cleaned before
you begin filling
•• Sumps and reservoirs should be cleaned before
they’re filled for the first time, then cleaned each
time they’re refilled

PART 4
Disposal of Fluid
Proper handling of fluids includes their proper disposal. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil that has
been used and as a result is contaminated by impurities. Fluids drained from equipment clearly falls
within this description.

Best practices include:

• Use a portable filter cart. With a waste oil drum nearby and a filter cart hooked into the
system’s drain, oil is pulled out of the container and put into the waste oil container. No filtering is
necessary
• If filter carts aren’t available, use an appropriate waste oil container. The container
should be labeled for waste oil only and have adequate volume to hold all of the oil in the system
from which it’s being drained
• Avoid using a third receptacle when transferring waste oil. For example, do not use a
5-gallon bucket to capture waste oil, then empty it into used drums or totes. This kind of transfer
opens the door to spills
• If waste oil is to be stored in large volumes or for extended periods of time, have a
spill-containment protocol in place. Use spill-containing pallets or build an underground
spill reservoir to ensure that any leaks or spills are captured. Spill containment systems should
be able to house the largest volume of oil for the container or 10% of the total volume of all oil
stored in it, whichever is greater
As an important part of the life expectancy and performance of your equipment, fluid storage and
handling and dispensing deserves attention and a series of best practices that are understood and
followed by everyone in the facility that uses them. By taking the proper measures, you and your team
can avoid contamination and the negative effects of temperature and moisture that degrade fluids.
And, by clearly labeling and dispensing fluids, you can eliminate confusion and misuse of lubricants –
an often costly mistake.

U.S. Lubricants is a value-added, one-stop solution to your lubricant needs. We offer major brands as
well as our own signature THRIVE® brand, specially formulated to address customers’ needs. We also
provide Contract Lubrication Services, where we organize, manage, and implement the lubrication
service in your plant. We provide trained personnel, on-site, to manage and carry out daily the
precision lubrication program that delivers against your requirements.

425 Better Way,

Appleton, WI 54915
1.800.490.4900