In a wide variety of industries, the importance of utilizing an appropriate oil to aid production can’t be understated. Isoparaffins (synthetic hydrocarbons) have unique characteristics that often make this product the ideal choice.
Some key issues to consider include:
- Safety in the production process.
- Limiting heat generation.
- Health and safety considerations in the workplace.
- Preventing contamination to ensure product safety.
- Minimizing loss of particulate matter.
Oil-based lubricants and emulsified solutions made with isoparaffins offer superior performance in many applications. Consider the following.
- Aluminum Rolling Oils
- Defoamers for Water Treatment
- Metalworking Fluids
- Dust Suppressants
1. Aluminum Rolling Oils
Lubricants used in aluminum rolling have at least three main responsibilities. They must effectively:
- Minimize direct contact between roll and foil.
- Extract friction-generated heat.
- Transport contaminants to the filter.
Most cold rolling operations (up to 160 degrees C) depend on lubricants in which the base oil makes up the majority of the total volume, perhaps as much as 90 percent.
This oil must have a suitable viscosity for lower temperatures and a narrow boiling range to minimize evaporation loss and staining.
Pure, highly stable isoparaffins like Shell GTL (gas to liquid) solvents have lower viscosities with higher flash points than alternatives. This means you can safely use these very low viscosity products.
They are ideal for maintaining volume, reducing heat, and aiding in debris filtration. The purity adds an extra benefit as the GTL isoparaffins exceed food contact requirements—perfect for beverage can rolling oils.
2. Defoamers for Water Treatment
Human health is the top priority in water and wastewater treatment. Effective defoamers are critical to prevent the buildup of foam containing hazardous chemicals, bacteria, and other organic hazards.
To ensure clean water and aid operational efficiency, defoamers and anti-foaming agents must effectively prevent excessive foam production.
Many oil-based products can effectively prevent the formation of, or break down, air bubbles. The most important factors in water and other human consumables are safety and environmental impact. Shell GTL solvents are readily biodegradable providing added benefits over alternatives.
Isoparaffins are highly refined white oils. Pure and nonreactive, Shell GTL oils are food-grade quality products that exceed FDA, U.S. and European Pharmacopoeia standards for health and safety.
3. Metalworking Fluids
Metalworking and metal-forming are also areas where isoparaffins are often ideal. Consider that metalworking fluids (MWFs) must effectively:
- Reduce heat and friction to maintain surface integrity.
- Remove particulate matter byproducts.
- Resist microbial growth that can be hazardous to workers.
Whether using a straight oil lubricant or an emulsified solution, the base oil needs to have a unique set of properties to fulfill all the requirements of a quality MWF.
It must have a viscosity low enough to support an even wetting of the metalworking surface while offering a sufficiently high flash point to maintain safety. In addition, impeccable purity is essential to prevent irritation whenever skin contact is possible.
MWFs formulated with Shell GTL check all these boxes. It combines low viscosity with a high flash point and purity, all vital for metalworking applications.
4. Dust Suppressants
Many industries rely on effective dust suppression to maintain healthy workplace conditions and reduce product loss. In agriculture, it’s especially important as it prevents combustion/explosion.
While there are many options in dust suppressants, including water, synthetic hydrocarbons have some favorable qualities.
- Synthetic oils don’t encourage mold and mildew growth as water and vegetable oils can.
- They don’t evaporate at the highest temperatures that crops experience.
- The very low pour point of Shell GTLs allow unheated storage through the winter without flow problems.
With a low viscosity ideal for spray applications, and a water-white, food-grade purity that makes it safe to consume in small quantities, Shell GTL isoparaffins make for excellent dust suppressants.
Benefits of Shell GTL Isoparaffins
Shell GTL oils and solvents offer a highly pure, colorless, odorless alternative to traditional white mineral oils commonly used in the above applications.
Renkert Oil is proud to partner with Shell to supply these products to you. They offer impressive benefits to a wide variety of industries.
Pure
Processed with highly controlled methods and feedstocks, these synthetic, natural gas-based products are safe for use in personal care, cleaning, and agricultural products. They are also readily biodegradable, environmentally sensitive solvents.
Odorless
Isoparaffins are especially useful in producing odor-free paints, home sprays, dry-cleaning products, and beauty products. Also, manufacturing workers and consumers prefer handling odor-free, low-volatility products to reduce their risk of exposure to irritating VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
High Flash Point with Low Viscosity
A unique technical benefit, Shell GTL offers a higher flash point (lower flammability) combined with low viscosity. This reduces the risk of fire while offering exceptional spreadability, flow capabilities, and lower pour points.
Learn More About Isoparaffins from Renkert Oil
We are experts in specialty oils used in lubricants, adhesives, personal care products, consumer fuels (such as indoor lamp oil), and many other applications.
And we can tell you that Shell GTL has been a safe, effective, game-changing solution for many of our customers.
To find out whether Shell GTL is right for you, and to learn more about Renkert Oil’s superior logistics services, schedule your free consultation today.