Eco Fluid Center Ltd.

VSG 'The Green Grease' Now with Liners

Many locations have restrictions on how much residual grease can be left in used steel kegs and drums when these are being sent for disposal. This has been a pain and VSG grease has characteristics that are good in bearings but which can make cleaning the containers more difficult.

At the request of users all VSG steel kegs and drums now have a disposable flexible plastic liner. This is made of LDPE which can be recycled where allowed.

The use of a flexible liner makes it much easier to get out the last bit of grease and to add it to the new container as well as to be able to quickly clean out the containers for reuse, recycling or disposal.

As a caution to reduce the chances of the liner being pulled down by the follower plate used with grease pumps, it is suggested that the loose end of the liner at the top be taped to the container.

If you have any question, please call or e-mail.

Canola Oil (also see Us Canola)

To order MOV Long Life or MOV Extra contact one of the following; Forsythe at 905 525-7192 or toll free 800 305-2806, CI Actuation, Georgia Western at 770 426-6070 or toll free 800 536-6070, Fax 770 426-6191 or Pinnacle Actuation toll free at 800-829-8145 and Fax 770 926-1637. It can be available from others as well. Food Grade, NSF and Bio greases are also available.

To order VSG 'The Green Grease' contact Eco Fluid Center at info@fluidcenter.com, 416 466-3144 or toll free 888 442-5008.

For US sales of MOV Long Life and MOV Extra other options call Georgia Western at 770 426-607 or 800 536-6070, Fax 770 426-6191.

Pinnacle Actuation at 800-829-8145 and Fax 770-926-1637.

US Bureau of Reclamation Bulletin December 1998 - please see page 13.

Environmental Protection Agency (paper including VSG, EPP Update Issue 10 page 10-11)

Environmental Protection Agency Canola Oil Fact Sheet

ehp Environmental Health Perspectives One Slick Trick: Building a Better Biolubricant

'Going Green' International Water Power & Dam Construction

VSG Users

Churchill Falls, Labrador

Parker Dam

BC Hydro - Clowhom GS

Landsvirjun, Iceland

SUPPLIERS OF VSG

Please contact Eco Fluid Center

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q&A VSG Eco

Question & Answers

1. What's special about VSG grease?

First it is mainly canola oil which is a natural renewable resource. Canola oils are also low in toxicity with many being food grade for cooking oils and they also tend to be readily biodegradable. Secondly, the grease thickener used is relatively benign and has both inherent corrosion protecting capabilities and extreme pressure resistance. Thirdly, the combination of these two offer a grease that is 'green' and yet outperforms many mineral oil based products. Some users have found that much less if required so that this is an added benefit.

2. Who's using it?

Users include Arizona Public Service, BC Hydro, Bureau of Reclamation, City of Seattle, Eastern Ontario Power, Hydro Quebec, Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corp., Landsvirkjun (Iceland), Manitoba Hydro, Newfoundland and Labrador Power, Ontario Power Generation, Orillia Power Generation Corp., Ottawa City Center, Synex Wolverine LLC and TVA.

3. How does it perform?

VSG generally provides much better corrosion protection and wear resistance while at the same time being more resistant to grease line plugging. VSG has excellent pumpability at low temperatures and yet also stiffens up in contact with water so it gets to the bearings and stays there better.

4. Who has tested it?

VSG has been independently tested by a number of utilities and by outside organisations. This data is available in most cases and there are links on the website to Bureau testing.

5. Is it compatible with our current grease?

The calcium sulphonate thickener is compatible with many of the lithium and calcium greases being used for wicket gates. Data is available for the other types and at the worst an intermediate grease has to be used for a short period of time. But this has not been necessary yet. We do not recommend purging the lines.

6. It costs more so is it worth it?

The components of VSG are more expensive and it is still a specialty product with low volumes. However, as it becomes more popular some costs will come down. In any case the amount of grease being used for a unit is seldom more that a drum per year so the incremental cost should be less than $1,000. Given the performance benefits and the high costs when dealing with regulators, cottage owners and the like it can be well worth it. One station ended up using 42 times less grease so they saved big time.