Operating Hydraulic Installations

 

Why Filteration IS NECESSARY ?

In the past years the efficiency of hydraulic systems has been increased more and more by means of higher operational pressures, larger flow quantities, higher fluid velocity, and by the use of fluids especially developed for hydraulic systems. But due to tighter fittings, parts like valves, pumps, etc. have become more and more sensitive to dirt particles in the fluid.

This contamination affects the regular operation as well as the lifetime of the hydraulic components.

Furthermore the aging of the hydraulic fluid depends on the quantity and the type of dirt particles. According to estimations about 70% of all premature failures of hydraulic components are due to contamination with dirt particles in the hydraulic fluid.

The optional degree of contamination (clean oil classification) and the duration of the working life of the components can be controlled and achieved by a filter installation that is adapted to its specific application. A specifically fitted filter system extends the lifetime and prevents a premature change of the hydraulic fluid. Altogether efficient filtration increases considerably the economic efficiency of the entire system.

Now a days, leading producers of hydraulic components require a minimum clean oil classification. Often the warranty service depends on those clean oil classifications, which means that upon operation with higher contaminated fluid the warranty is not valid. Decisive criteria for the required clean oil classification are the construction type and the pressure level of the system.

Depending on the type of pumps, bearings, cylinders and valves different tolerances based on the design may appear. The tolerances of the parts can be directly assigned to certain clean oil classifications and therefore to specific filtration rates.

The hydraulic fluid is the most important element of a hydraulic system. It enables the power transmission and affects the discharge of heat as well as the greasing of moving parts. The type of hydraulic fluid determines the efficiency the pressure level, the temperature level, the materials and the sealing materials to be used. Furthermore the hydraulic fluid has a decisive influence of the filterability and with this also influence of the use of the different filter media.

Hence, in a hydraulic system, filtration leads not only to an extension of lifetime of the components, but is influencing also service life of the fluid itself.