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ith billions of rands being invested in South Africa’s rail infrastructure over the next three years, the country must consider ways of ensuring the reliability, efficiency and longevity of these assets as part of this development, suggests petrochemicals major Shell South Africa technical manager Hentie Spangenberg.

He tells Engineering News that Shell has been involved in rail infrastructure projects across various parts of the world and at various stages of the projects and that, in Shell’s experience, choosing the correct lubricant plays a significant role in the development, efficiency and longevity of rail infrastructure.

“Most railroad locomotive components need some oil to perform,” he says.

Spangenberg notes that, while extreme low temperatures will not necessarily be an issue for rail operators in South Africa, some extreme high-temperature applications could be a challenge.

He adds that the new locomotives in which South Africa is investing feature new technologies and that new oil will be required to match these new technologies – specific to South African conditions.

Developing this oil will require expertise and good management, stresses Spangenberg, adding that a certain level of expertise is required to analyse and select the proper lubricant. Further, good fleet management also ensures that savings and efficiencies are realised.

He recommends that South African rail operators look for high-performance engine oils that are zinc and chlorine free and notes that the oil has to contribute to low and ultralow diesel requirements to provide excellent cleanliness and sludge control.

“We also have to accommodate the latest engine technology and comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 and Tier 4 engine requirements,” he says, highlighting viscosity as another key consideration when selecting lubricants.

“To keep our trains on track, we must consider all avenues to ensure the efficiency and longevity of infrastructure and fleet,” he adds.

Spangenberg cites Shell’s work with France’s leading rolling stock manufacturer as having helped the manufacturer double the life expectancy of its equipment, which will save an estimated $117 900.

This project started in March 2011 and was completed in December 2012.

The rolling stock company had been working on the production of equipment that could withstand extreme temperatures. The company needed a lubricant that could operate in conditions varying from –50 °C up to 70 °C. The lubricant also needed to be chemically compatible with seals and components in the shock absorber’s nitrile compensating pocket.

Following the French Manufacturer’s extensive work with Shell, a hydraulic fluid was identified – Shell Tellus S4VX. The introduction of this hydraulic fluid has extended the company’s equipment life to five years, compared with the previous two-and-a-half-year life expectancy.

Extending the life span of the equipment also enabled the rolling stock manufacturer to reduce equipment maintenance time and replacement costs.