The raw material for either alcohol or beer is to a large extent, grain with
lesser amounts of molasses or sugar. The use of speed reduction gears starts
with the handling of the grain. This may be by
conveyors of various types which, if not chain
driven, will be driven by gear reducers. Often the grain will
be screened before going into storage bins. The screens, which may be of the
reel or shaker type, can be driven by gear reducers. A suitable
gear oil for the above operations is one of
about 500 viscosity SUS at 100 degree F, equivalent to AGMA
lubricant No.3.
In a brewery might
be found barley sieves driven with open gears,
grading screens with similar drives, melting drums
likewise driven with open helical gears, malt
grinders with gear driven rolls, spent grain
presses with open gearing, hop extruding
machines having enclosed gears, beer
centrifuges with enclosed gears, etc. The open
gearing in the above applications should be
lubricated with a residual oil having a
viscosity of about 2000 SUS at 210 degree F. This
should be applied sparingly and if there is the least
possibility of contamination of the material
being processed, a shield might be installed
to prevent this. Enclosed gears can be lubricated with
well refined oils of 200 to 500 SUS at 100 degree F.
Centrifuges should use the lower viscosity grade
or an equivalent to AGMA lubricant No. 1 or
2.
