The importance of hydraulic filtration.

INTRODUCTION As time passes the importance of the leak grows. This is because ma
nufacturers of hydraulic equipment internal tolerances decrease and increase the
burdens of the various components (pumps, valves, etc..) Particles making "smal
l" that were not the problem, now if they are. Today there is the need to produc
e more and faster machines are required and downtime for maintenance is almost z
ero, therefore we must try to not damage the machine, which can only be achieved
if the fluid is kept free of contaminants. Let's do a review of the fundamental
s of filtration, with an explanation of the many facets of the topic. The terms
used correspond to filtering in general, but mostly have a particular relationsh
ip to the hydraulic oil filters and oil. ROLE AND TYPES OF FLUID The fluid in th
e power transmission systems (fluid power) are the means by which this happens.
But apart from this you could say is the main function has other secondary: Lubr
icant. Prevents the components of the various hydraulic elements wear out. Refri
gerant. Helps the heat generated internally in the components are rapidly evacua
ted. Sealant. When placed between moving parts to each other, helps to seal and
prevent excessive oil leaks out internally. The fluid most used in the world tod
ay is that which comes from oil. It has excellent lubricating properties, is rel
atively inexpensive and very easy to get. In very specific applications, such as
blast furnaces in steel mills and other compounds used aircraft for the fluid w
ill not catch fire, are much less common, besides being more expensive, in many
cases requires that the seals and some components are special for compatibility.
POLLUTANTS Pollutants are extraneous to the fluid. In theory, the hydraulic flu
id has to be pure, free of contaminants. From experience we know that is impossi
ble to maintain a fluid free of impurities, but the goal is to keep the lowest p
ossible level. Pollutants are: Air, water and solid particles. The air is minima
l proportions in the oil normally, but when in large quantities due to problems
with the suction
pump or aeration in the tank, the air will cause problems such as premature wear
on lower component lubrication, oxidation, bacterial growth, deterioration of t
he oil, spongy movement and noise of the machine. Water as a pollutant less lubr
ication also generates more oxidation, bacterial growth. Color is detected by th
e bank in the oil, and milk. The solid particles are the most dangerous pollutan
ts and more difficult to eradicate or control. Sand, dust, steel, brass, aluminu
m, the latter coming from outside or were generated from the part itself, which
according to their size can generate: accelerated wear, obstruction of orifices
control valves and pumps, parts binding such as pistons and vane pumps and motor
s, spool valves, etc. Depending on the size, the problems they cause are differe
nt. Particles smaller than 10 microns (one micron = one millionth of a meter, or
one thousandth of a millimeter) will slow debilitating, but depending on the co
ncentration. And larger particles, generating accelerated wear and catastrophic
failure (breakage of parts such as shafts, rotary joint etc.).. The major source
of such pollutants is the environment, the air around a machine. For this reaso
n is that manufacturers of hydraulic equipment built tanks sealed to prevent con
tamination of the system. The more loaded than the environment (earth-moving mac
hines, backhoes, tractors, etc.). The greater the chance of contamination. To gi
ve an idea of how this works, look at these statistics on how many particles com
e to a hydraulic system of the environment:
MOBILE EQUIPMENT *
108 - 1010 PER MINUTE 106-108 PER 106-108 PER
MANUFACTURING PLANTS AND MILLS MINUTE ASSEMBLY AND PLANTS * MINUTE * CLEAN SOLUT
IONS
You have to remove pollutants already in the oil and in turn prevent new revenue
. Remove the air is correcting the source of contamination, loose suction, low o
il level in the tank, returns to the tank that are above the level, or labels on
the axes of the bombs damaged. For water pollution, we must examine the origin
and correct, and although there are filters to remove water from oil, if too muc
h is probably more economical to change the oil.€For the solid particles have s
everal options as appropriate. Let's start by saying that if a system come so ma
ny millions of particles per minute, the work must be done is huge, billions of
particles that a filter should be removed.
Because they are so different applications, the environments in which the machin
es will work, hours of work of the machine, or monthly, the solutions are also d
ifferent. The main entry point to a system of particles is the tank, therefore w
e must install a filter in the vent of the tank and ensure that the tank is seal
ed, it will not have another point of income. If the environment is less pollute
d, a standard filter works very well, but laden environments better filters is r
ecommended. The oil enters the tank from the system should be filtered using the
filters very well return. The oil that goes into the pump tank to be filtered b
ut given the restrictions on suction, use wire mesh, at least to ensure that the
pumps will not receive large particles. If the system contains sensitive to dir
t valves (servo valves, proportional valves, etc..) Filters should be placed pre
ssure on the pump discharge. For applications which should ensure a very low lev
el of contamination can use an alternative filtration system, often with oil coo
ler, consisting of a motor-pump, filter high capacity, pollution monitors (gauge
s) and connects to work on two opposite ends of the tank. The filter media used
today are basically similar materials to the paper, but folded in multiple layer
s within a cylindrical cartridge having a large holding capacity in a relatively
small in size. For these elements have a nonuniform pore size, will be able to
retain particles of many different sizes, both for selection have to look very c
arefully at the manufacturer's specifications. The cheapest are made of paper, b
ut do not have good characteristics, are acceptable for most applications, but i
f you are in the system piston pumps and motors, or servo valves should be used
fiberglass.