Fluctuating markets and private interests mean that
equipment and facility layup is a fact of life. Whether the
shutdown at a paper mill, offshore platform, refinery, or
power plant is temporary or permanent, asset owners
must decide how to preserve equipment value and
maintain reliability. Meanwhile, the ubiquitous presence
of metal-to-metal contact points demands special
attention to the layup of lubricating systems. Cortec’s
CorrLube ™ VpCI ® Lithium EP Grease seeks to simplify
the process and enhance corrosion protection.
Corrosion Dangers to Idle Asset Grease Points
While grease inherently offers a degree of corrosion protection simply by creating a barrier to corrosives, layup
can be a time of greater vulnerability for lubricated systems, especially in environments that are harsher than
others. For example, paper mills are notorious for excessive water, H 2 S, and other corrosive gases from
papermaking processes. FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units) and offshore platforms are
surrounded by high moisture, high chloride atmospheres often made more corrosive by warm climates. If lube
areas are corroded during this idle period, the greased components may work improperly or require early
replacement.
Purging Grease Points for Layup
Purging lube points with CorrLube ™ VpCI ® Lithium EP
Grease is an excellent way to combat corrosion during
layup to promote a smooth return to startup. In addition to
helping seal out corrosives, this NLGI Grade 2 grease has
superior corrosion inhibiting properties against salt water,
brine, H 2 S, HCl, and other corrosive agents that may find
their way into the lubricating system. It has excellent
oxidation resistance and can be used for long periods of
layup.
No Need to Change Greases for Startup
Usually, preservation and maintenance crews need to use one grease for operation and another for layup. This
complicates matters when equipment needs to be restarted only for a brief period. Normally, this would require
workers to remove special grease for layup and replace it with operational grease. However, since CorrLube ™
VpCI ® Lithium EP Grease is effective in extreme operating conditions of high pressure and high temperature, it
can be used for intermittent operation and may not even need to be removed before full startup, saving time and
labor.
Where to Apply CorrLube ™ VpCI ® Lithium EP
Grease
CorrLube ™ VpCI ® Lithium EP Grease can be applied to
any lubricating systems and grease points that require
NLGI Grade 2 grease. Some common examples include
the following:
Lubricating sleeves
Ball and roller bearings
Vehicle/equipment chassis links
Fans
Bushings
Pulley bearings
Sliding high-friction areas
More specific areas might be gearbox gear couplings, ring and ball gears on cranes, fan bearings on AC units
and cooling towers, and grease fittings on watertight doors and hatches for FPSO bridges, storage
compartments, and control rooms.
Choose Your Grease Point Strategy
Using the right grease is important for the proper preservation and operation of lubricated systems on countless
pieces of equipment. By choosing to purge grease points with CorrLube ™ VpCI ® Lithium EP Grease during
layup, preservation crews have an excellent advantage over corrosion with the convenience of fewer grease
changes.
