able is defined as degrading 60 percent or
more within 28 days. This type of degradation
is preferable because in most cases, the
fluid will degrade long before environmental
damage has occurred. Because of this,
little is required in terms of long-term bioremediation.
There are several petroleumbased
lubricants that claim “inherent biodegradability”
and are typically referred to as
“environmentally safe.” However, inherent
biodegradation is defined as having the
propensity to biodegrade, with no indication
of timing or degree, so these types of
products can persist in the environment for
years, continuing to cause substantial damage
and requiring long-term remediation.
Typically, these products are petroleumbased,
like conventional lubricants.
There are several internationally recognized
tests that confirm the biodegradation
of a given product and allow companies
to back up a readily biodegradable claim. In
fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
even requires companies who use the term
readily biodegradable in describing their
products to state the test (for example,
“ASTM 5864 or OECD 301B compliant”)
in validation of the claim. Pile driving
contractors can learn a significant amount
about a product’s effect on the environment
by simply asking a few questions regarding
the claims and statements made by a lubricant
provider.
There are a variety of descriptors used
by oil suppliers: environmentally safe, biodegradable,
Eiffel
T R A D I NG
1-800-541-7998
sellyourpile.com
readily biodegradable and food
grade, and there are a wide variety of performance
levels even among readily biodegradable
products. When an environmentally
preferable product is required outside typical
temperature ranges, a readily biodegradable
synthetic is usually required. While offering
biodegradation, these products can operate in
temperature extremes in excess of 250°F or
less than -40°F and offer long fluid life.
Care must be taken in choosing
the appropriate product for the specific
application. Bio-based lubricant suppliers
should be able to support performance
claims with testing data. This performance
data can include standard industry tests
(ASTM), field-testing and original equipment
manufacturer tests or approvals.
True proof of environmental benefit
and performance, however, is found in the
field. Any fluid supplier should be able to
demonstrate the success of their product
over time in a wide range of applications. A
company’s expertise should also not end at
simply supplying the product; it is important
to partner with a bio-based fluid supplier
with enough field and technical experience
to provide a technically feasible EAL
and then support the product through an
oil-monitoring program. The key considerations
to be evaluated prior to selecting a
readily biodegradable fluid include:
•• O perating temperature
•• O perating pressure
•• S eal type
•• Likelihood of water ingress
•• Fluid life required
•• Preventative maintenance cycle
•• Risk of leak or spill
•• C ustomer choice
Choosing readily biodegradable fluids
is not enough in itself, as they must also
be properly maintained. Since the key to
long fluid life and top-tier performance
is keeping the fluid clean and dry, proper
filtration is essential. If these selection and
maintenance elements are in place, readily
biodegradable lubricants can save the pile
driving industry time and money, while further
protecting the environments in which
they operate. t
Geotechnical Engineering
Soil and Rock Mechanics
Shoring and Underpinning Design
Pile Load Testing and Inspection
Vibration Monitoring
Construction Materials Testing
Third Party Inspections
Survey Layout
70 Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, NY 10953
1-800-829-6531
www.tectonicengineering.com
feature
92 | QUARTER 4 2014
/sellyourpile.com
/www.tectonicengineering.com
