Vail Elevator: Switching to Synthetics

That infamous smell coming from the Vail elevator will soon be coming to an end.            

The transition from using vegetable oil that often causes an unpleasant smell to hydraulic fluid in the elevator has begun, costing Lyndon State $6,700.

10 years ago, Lyndon began using vegetable oil instead of hydraulic fluid in the elevators on campus. The vegetable oil was supposed to be an environmentally friendly alternative instead of the use of hydraulic fluid, but the use of vegetable oil has caused a few problems.

The vegetable oil over time "breaks down and the oil actually becomes thinner and raises havoc with the hydraulic seals which hold the oil in the shaft cylinder," physical plant director Thomas Archer said.

One issue from the leaking oil is the horrible smell it gives off.

"When I used to work in the mailroom I would always smell something odd coming from the elevators. It stunk like rotten eggs," said Lyndon State student Samantha Bergeron. "I didn't realize it was the smell of vegetable oil."

The smell is caused from the vegetable oil leaking from the hydraulic seals and falls to the bottom of the elevator shaft. The oil releases oxides into the air. "The oxidation let's off a real rancid smell and is nearly unbearable", said Archer.

The smell isn't the only issue.

"As the oil leaks through the seals the elevator hydraulics change even though slightly. This causes issues with the controls and we end up with a lot of trouble shooting calls," said Archer. 

Leaks can cause issues for the elevators that can be very difficult and expensive to fix.

Over February break, the transition from vegetable oil to a synthetic hydraulic fluid began. According to Archer, "the elevator company ran into a snag during the break and has rescheduled for a time frame during the April vacation."

"The used vegetable oil will be recycled and converted to a bio fuel by students in the Lyndon State College Sustainability program," said Archer.