New Neptune Lubricants Compliant with Requirements

American Chemical Technologies, Inc. (ACT) has announced global availability of Neptune® Series polyalkylene glycol (PAG)-based lubricants to support vessel operator compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulations requiring the use of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs).

According to ACT, the water soluble chemistry of Neptune® Series lubricants is the only fluid chemistry that is in full compliance with VGP and U.S. EPA Clean Water Act requirements. The Clean Water Act assesses fines based upon the extent a fluid leaves a surface sheen on water. The company said because Neptune® Series lubricants are heavier than water and dissolve completely, they leave no surface sheen in the event of a leak or spill, eliminating the need for cleanup. Neptune® Series lubricants meet the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Surface Force Logistics Center (SFLC) EAL Standard.

Under the new EPA VGP regulations effective December 19, 2013, all vessels 79 feet or longer must use EPA-recognized EALs in all oil-to-sea interfaces, which include stern tubes, thruster bearings, and other equipment that is, or may become, immersed in water. Vessels constructed before that date must adopt EALs in all oil-to-sea interfaces except where deemed technically infeasible.

The EPA defines EALs in the regulations as lubricants that are biodegradable, low in aquatic toxicity, with low potential for bioaccumulation. According to ACT, Neptune® Series lubricants have been shown to be biodegradable using the OECD 301B test and are classified as "relatively harmless" or "practically non-toxic" to fish and other aquatic wildlife by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They have been found to be non-bioaccumulative in the tissues of living organisms using the OECD 107 and 117 test methods.

ACT said Neptune® Series lubricants are water soluble PAG lubricants offering excellent lubricity, high viscosity index, and corrosion protection. The lubricants are especially well-suited for use in oil-to-sea interfaces because they retain their performance characteristics in the presence of humidity or upon water influx better than EALs formulated from synthetic ester, vegetable oil, and bio-PAO base oils. The hydrolytic stability of Neptune® Series lubricants reduces formation of corrosive acids and sludge due to water contamination, protecting components from damage and supporting vessel operating reliability.

Neptune Series lubricants include anti-wear (AW) fluids as well as gear lubricants in a broad range of viscosity grades to meet the requirements of oil-to-sea interface, deck and other marine vessel applications, as well as requirements for dockside or other shoreline systems. To learn more, contact ACT at [email protected].