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STRATCO® provides reliable, state-of-the-art production
technology, equipment and services to maintain our customers' competitive
advantage in the global market of lubricating oil and grease.
The development, design, fabrication, and operation of
STRATCO® process equipment is backed by more than 78
years of experience with over 400 units installed throughout
the world. The first STRATCO® Grease Contactor™ reactor (installed
in 1929) is still in service today. This is indicative of
the quality, reliability, and dependability of our equipment.
STRATCO® offers to manufacturers around the world
a semi-continuous process to manufacture various types of
greases, ranging from calcium, lithium, and sodium to more
specialized greases such as aluminum complex, polyurea, etc.
The process is similar to that of the conventional kettle
process, but more efficient and flexible allowing the manufacturer
to minimize unit manufacturing costs while maintaining high
standards of quality.
STRATCO®'s process offers the following advantages over
other grease manufacturing processes:
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IMPROVED YIELD - The high shear rate of
the mixing apparatus gives a more uniform dispersion of soap
into the oil. This higher dispersion yields a thicker
grease which translates into more grease per thickener. Thickener
content for a standard lithium based grease can often be
reduced between 30% and 50% over a standard kettle operation.
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REDUCED PRODUCTION TIME -
The high circulation rate of the Contactor™ reactor permits rapid
heating of the mixture to saponification temperature. This
cuts processing time in half due to several factors.
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VERSATILITY -
The design of the STRATCO ® Grease
Contactor™ reactor to permit heating or cooling with a circulating
heat transfer oil, and to operate under pressure or vacuum conditions provides maximum flexibility.
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PRESSURE OPERATION -
Certain types of greases are best made under controlled
pressure reaction conditions, which conserves energy and inhibits "foaming". This combined with the
high shear rate offers complete saponification.
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DIRECT FINISHING -
Moving the grease mixture at maximum velocity through the impeller has been shown to be a
key factor in homogenizing and
finishing greases in the Contactor™ reactor. Lighter
greases are completely finished in the Contactor
reactor and then directly packaged. This can also
eliminate or reduce the homogenizing or milling process.
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MULTIPURPOSE - All standard calcium,
sodium, lithium, and complex greases can be
produced in a single Contactor reactor, as well as aluminum complex, polyurea and calcium sulfonate greases.
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OPERATIONAL SAVINGS -
Savings over 5 cents/pound of grease produced
are typical for the STRATCO ® process because
of reduction in production time, labor costs, and
raw materials. Return on investment of less than one year is achievable.
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CONSISTENCY and UNIFORMITY -
The high heat transfer coefficient and high
circulation rate results in tight time-temperature
control. This,
in turn, results in a high level of repeatability and
consistent product quality between batches so desired
in today's quality conscious, ISO driven business
environment.
For additional information about STRATCO grease
products and services,contact grease@StratcoGlobal.com
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