Viscosity Selection

Step 1: Determine the OEM Operating Range, Operating Maximums

Step 2: Determine the sump operating temperature
Step 3: Plot the viscosity ranges based on the OEM Product Data Sheet

70oC
50oC
20,000
10,000
5,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
500
300
200
150
100

Viscosity,cSt
75
54 cSt 50
40
Pump
Pump Manufacturers
Manufacturers 30
Recommended
Recommended Working
Working 20
Silicone based Viscosity
Viscosity Range
Range 15
13 cSt
Syn PAO 26 (400) 10
Reservoir
Reservoir Operating
Operating
Temperature 68 (150)
Syn PAO Temperature Range
Range
46 (150)
5.0
Syn PAO
4.0
22 (150)
Mineral Oil 46 (95) 3.0

Mineral Oil 32 (95)

2.0
o o
-40 C -20 C o
0C
o
20 C 40 C
o o
60 C
o
80 C
o
100 C o
120 C
o
140 C
o
160 C
o
180 C
o o
-40 F -4 F o
32 F o
68 F o
104 F
o
140 F
o
176 F o
212 F
o
248 F
o
284 F
o
320 F o
356 F

Temperature

Notes:

Seadrill – Machine Lubrication Technician Training Guide ©AMRRI2009

Page 152
 Viscosity Selection
Step 4: Identify the optimum operating viscosity range for the system
Step 5: Identify the optimum product selection based on the given parameters

70oC
50oC
20,000
10,000
5,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
500
300
200
150
100

Viscosity,cSt
75
54 cSt 50
40
Pump
Pump Manufacturers
Manufacturers 30
Recommended
Recommended Working
Working
Silicone based Viscosity
Viscosity Range
Range
20
15
13 cSt
Syn PAO 26 (400) 10
Reservoir
Reservoir Operating
Operating
Syn PAO Temperature
Temperature Range
Range 68 (150)
46 (150)
5.0
Syn PAO
4.0
22 (150)
Mineral Oil
46 (95) 3.0

Mineral Oil 32 (95)

2.0
o o
-40 C -20 C o
0C
o
20 C 40 C
o o
60 C
o
80 C
o
100 C o
120 C
o
140 C
o
160 C
o
180 C
o o
-40 F -4 F o
32 F o
68 F o
104 F
o
140 F
o
176 F o
212 F
o
248 F
o
284 F
o
320 F o
356 F

Notes:

Seadrill – Machine Lubrication Technician Training Guide ©AMRRI2009

Page 153
 Viscosity Selection
Step 6: Establish the likely cold start-up limit (850 cSt – provided by OEM).
Step 7: Identify the options will not meet the low viscosity requirement for cold start-
up.

70oC
50oC
20,000
10,000
5,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
Drop Dead Viscosity Limit = 850 cSt
500
300
200
150
100

Viscosity,cSt
75
54 cSt 50
40
Pump
Pump Manufacturers
Manufacturers 30
Recommended
Recommended Working
Working
Silicone based Viscosity
Viscosity Range
Range
20
15
13 cSt
Syn PAO 26 (400) 10
Reservoir
Reservoir Operating
Operating
Syn PAO Temperature
Temperature Range
Range 68 (150)
46 (150)
5.0
Syn PAO
4.0
22 (150)
Mineral Oil
46 (95) 3.0

Mineral Oil 32 (95)

2.0
o o
-40 C -20 C o
0C
o
20 C 40 C
o o
60 C
o
80 C
o
100 C o
120 C
o
140 C
o
160 C
o
180 C
o o
-40 F -4 F o
32 F o
68 F o
104 F
o
140 F
o
176 F o
212 F
o
248 F
o
284 F
o
320 F o
356 F

Notes:

Seadrill – Machine Lubrication Technician Training Guide ©AMRRI2009

Page 154