A "cool solution" of vegetable oil could save the metalworking industry billions

July 18, 2005

A "cool solution" of vegetable oil could save the metalworking industry billions


ANN ARBOR, Mich—In a classic example of a simple idea solving a very complex problem, researchers have developed a new class of lubrication technology that could save industry billions of dollars in metalworking operations, while reducing pollution and wear and tear on cutting machines and tools.

The lubricant is a solution of vegetable oil in carbon dioxide, said Steven Skerlos, University of Michigan assistant professor of mechanical engineering and co-author of "Vegetable Oil in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Metalworking Fluids," which was awarded top honors last month by the International Society for Industrial Ecology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Today, companies around the world spend billions on metalworking fluids which are used as coolants and lubricants to control heat buildup during metal cutting. These metalworking fluids are typically emulsions of oil and water, where the oil is used to reduce heat generation and the water is used to conduct heat away from the cutting zone.

But industry is looking for alternatives. Since oil and water don’t mix, current metalworking fluid systems are inherently unstable. They are also corrosive and, because they are fluids with similarities to milk, metalworking fluids can breed bacteria unhealthy to machinists.

To solve these problems, the U-M research team substituted supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2) for water, mixed it with soybean oil to make a metal working lubricant, and saw a level of performance that was much higher than they had ever observed. "Supercritical" means the carbon dioxide is pressurized to a state where it becomes a solvent to vegetable oil.

"The level of success was somewhat surprising," Skerlos said. "For example, we found that soybean oil dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide performs much better than straight soybean oil, even if the amount of soybean oil applied is ten times less in the supercritical carbon dioxide system."

The scCO 2 system is also a much more effective coolant. This is because as the pressure is released as a spray, dry ice is formed which can be thought of as a cryogenic spray. Skerlos explained that this is the same phenomenon that makes your finger cold when you release the air through the valve on a bike tire.

The patent-pending technology is generating a buzz in the industry, particularly in the aerospace sector, which is currently trying to achieve high speed machining rates on titanium parts. However, Skerlos says the technology will have applicability anywhere that metalworking fluid is used now, including automotive steel and aluminum machining

U-M researchers are developing a business case for the patent-pending technology and selecting a launch application. Discussions regarding license agreements are active among metalworking fluid companies and companies that can supply the scCO 2-based cooling and lubrication system.

Public consultation on long-awaited draft

Public consultation on long-awaited draft
Robyn Murray
Tuesday, 12 July 2005

Public consultation on the long-awaited draft Wingecarribee Shire Local Environment Plan (LEP) began this week with the first of a series of displays to be held over the next two weeks.

The shire-wide LEP will guide the direction of Wingecarribee Shire, in line with the Wingecarribee Our Future (WOFE) strategic plan adopted in 2002.

The WOFE strategic plan identifies East Mittagong (Renwick), Gibbergunyah, South East Moss Vale, New Berrima and East Colo Vale (Wensleydale) as potential residential release areas to provide around 1500 new residential allotments over the next 10 years.

The plan also commits council to begin planning for a new small town, to address housing needs after 2011.

Under the WOFE strategic plan Bowral would remain the main sub-regional centre for the shire, but the Mittagong business centre would be expanded and an eco-industrial zone developed between Moss Vale and Berrima.

Discount department stores would be prohibited within the town centres of Bowral and Mittagong, but the plan allows for the development of a department/discount department store and bulky goods retailing in Moss Vale.

Existing village boundaries would be maintained. New Village Business Zones proposed for Exeter, New Berrima and Burrawang would allow "village scale" businesses such as general stores, taverns, butchers and bakeries, art and craft shops and rural supplies.

Residents of shire villages would also be able to run home-based businesses.

The plan also provides for a wider range of residential options within the shire, including mixed residential apartment/retail/commercial office developments in Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong, a new residential apartment zone close to business centres, and provision for dual occupancy on corner only allotments and courtyard housing.

There would be new opportunities for small lot sub-divisions in areas formerly set aside for medium density housing, and provision for the development of adaptable units for older and disabled residents. The plan recommends that council investigate specific sites for a tourist zone or corridor.

New Date For 'Greener Homes And Buildings'

New Date For 'Greener Homes And Buildings'

Due to huge public and professional interest, the Greener Homes and Buildings Event will now be held on the 30th September – 1st October 2005. “Some restrictions on space meant that the event simply had to be postponed for a few weeks to ensure that we would have enough room for additional exhibitors and more seminars – such has the response been so far,” commented Project Manager Louise Owen.

One of the event’s aims will be to demonstrate to homeowners and professionals how ‘greener’ concepts in building, design, renovation and refurbishment are equally as good as, if not better in many cases than today’s ‘traditional’ methods. Visitors to the event will be able to see for themselves how many of the exhibitors’ products and services could save them money in their annual home fuel bills, as well as increase their quality of life in the home.

“With an increase in awareness of ecologically sound methods and concepts, people are beginning to realise that living ‘greener’ does mean living better, and whilst the ecological benefits to the environment are a major factor, the added bonus of potentially saving a significant percentage of the annual home fuel bills are sure to strike a chord with many more,” added Louise.

In addition, the event will also cater for those professionals who work within the trade. Specific seminars and demonstrations during the event will be held for architects, surveyors, planning officers, construction executives and others within the housing sector to give them a more detailed approach into the concepts that the project is promoting. The ‘trade only’ part of the event, entitled ”Driving Sustainability Within the Welsh Construction Industry” is being organised in conjunction with a number of industry consultants to offer a broad range of seminars, topics, demonstrations and forums where delegates will be able to interact directly with key figures in the eco-industrial sector.

Louise continued, “We have a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the way people think about their homes and buildings, without forcing the issue of being ‘green’ upon them. We’re trying to dispel the myth that living ‘greener’ means living ‘poorer’. We will show people that living greener actually means living better, healthier, and is far more modern in its approach than people actually realise.”

Householders, builders, architects, planners installers, equipment manufacturers, facilities managers and technology specifiers will all be able to gain confidence in the sustainable technologies through targeted workshops with topics ranging from basic marketing and presentation skills for exhibitors, to in-depth looks at how the new technologies can work to benefit householders’ lives. Details of conferences and workshops will be available within the next few weeks.