ENERGY EFFICIENCY STUDY BASED ON THE USE OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT IN CONVEYOR BELT REDUCERS

Abstract

This study evaluates the impacts of replacing mineral lubricant with high-performance synthetic lubricant on the energy efficiency and sustainability of a belt conveyor at the Luiz Antônio Mesquita Port Integrator Terminal (TIPLAM – VLI/Santos). The TR3140UT05 gearbox was monitored for six months in two distinct cycles: one with mineral lubricant and the other with synthetic lubricant. The results showed a 5.12% reduction in electricity consumption, an average decrease of 7.5 °C in gearbox operating temperature, and a fourfold increase in oil change intervals, from 4,446 to 17,796 hours