stable technologies are the EALs based on polyalphaolefins or
related readily biodegradable hydrocarbons that offer stability
in service and ready biodegradability in the case of the spill.
Some EALs offer this type of hydrocarbon base oil stability,
but they use a biobased hydrocarbon – also known as biohy-drocarbons
– that gives the stability of a mineral oil lubricant
while using renewable technologies to create the base oil.
These EALs based on biohydrocarbons also have the chemical
seal and pump compatibility needed to work with equipment
originally designed to run traditional mineral oil based fluids.
The best choice is to use a low toxicity biohydrocarbon
hydraulic fluid, gear oil or water repellent extreme pressure
grease – such as EnviroLogic 2 WREP grease – that readily
biodegrades, performs like a high-quality, stable mineral oil,
offers a long service life and is based on sustainable technol-ogy.
These products are now a reality, but at an increased
acquisition cost over other EAL technologies. For compa-nies
whose policies demand the highest performing, safest
options, these hydraulic fluids based on biohydrocarbons are
the most reliable and longest-lasting sustainable option.
No one wants to give up performance when they consider
new fluid choices. Initial acquisition cost should be consid-ered,
but overlooking the long-term costs – and often savings
– associated with the newer EAL technologies is a mistake.
A low-cost, unstable lubricant, regardless of base oil technol-ogy,
will ultimately cost the user more than a higher quality
EAL when product lifetime and spill costs are considered. It is
also important to remember that while base oil type impacts
FEATURE
product performance and service lifetime, it’s often the addi-tive
packages specified by the fluid designer that stabilize
and bring the final stability, lubricity and wear characteris-tics
to the finished product. For pile driving applications, a
high-performance triglyceride formula with a high-quality
additive package designed for marine applications is often
the best value to minimize total cost of ownership. A different
product type may need to be considered based on the project.
For example, building a marina may call for a product that is
most stable when it comes into contact with water such as a
bio-based hydrocarbon.
When we think of VGP-compliant products, hydraulic fluids,
oils and greases come to mind first. An often overlooked category
is the cleaner technology used for equipment wash-down and
maintenance. Cleaners are typically 100 per cent loss products
and are released partially – and often fully – into the environ-ment.
Once again, the VGP specifies cleaner characteristics that
simplify the selection of a safe, effective and sustainable cleaner.
The best cleaners are effective, readily biodegradable, phosphate
free and are designed to minimize hazards to the workers using
them. This user safety aspect is often overlooked when select-ing
a cleaner technology. Always consult the product safety
data sheet (SDS) to determine product hazards prior to speci-fying
and/or purchasing a cleaning technology. Also, know the
application equipment that will be used to apply the cleaners
as that can influence choice. For instance, some cleaners pose
inhalation hazards when atomized during spray application. As
with the EAL, there are effective, safe and sustainable cleaner
A “readily
biodegradable”
fluid degrades in
the environment
more rapidly than
an “inherently
biodegradable” fluid.
BACKGROUND: MASTER PHOTO 2017 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
PORTRAIT COURTESY OF DR. LARRY BEAVER
PILING CANADA 51