98-11: Advances in Oil Mist Lubrication for Cooling Towers

This paper reviews the operating principles and advances that have been made in oil mist lubrication for electric motors and purcing gearboxes. Oil mist systems provide the most effective protection against water contamination, corrosion and premature failures of cooling tower gearboxes. Users report a reduction up to 90% of the lubrication related electric motor bearing failures and 75% of the gearbox failures. This minimizes injury risk by reducing field repair work. A case study of a cooling tower installation in a refinery will be presented.