Influence of tribology on global energy consumption, costs and emissions

TLDR

Wear is more critical than friction because it can cause catastrophic failures and operational breakdowns that reduce productivity and increase costs. The study analyzes friction and wear impacts across transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and residential sectors, using detailed calculations based on four prior case studies of passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, paper machines, and mining. Global calculations show that friction and wear significantly affect energy use, costs, and CO₂ emissions, with historical UK industry savings estimates up to 95% from tribology, and current estimates indicating 74% cost reduction from friction reduction and 26% from wear protection.

Abstract

Calculations of the impact of friction and wear on energy consumption, economic expenditure, and CO2 emissions are presented on a global scale. This impact study covers the four main energy consuming sectors: transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and residential. Previously published four case studies on passenger cars, trucks and buses, paper machines and the mining industry were included in our detailed calculations as reference data in our current analyses. The following can be concluded: Fifty years ago, wear and wear-related failures were a major concern for UK industry and their mitigation was considered to be the major contributor to potential economic savings by as much as 95% in ten years by the development and deployment of new tribological solutions. The corresponding estimated savings are today still of the same orders but the calculated contribution to cost reduction is about 74% by friction reduction and to 26% from better wear protection. Overall, wear appears to be more critical than friction as it may result in catastrophic failures and operational breakdowns that can adversely impact productivity and hence cost.