Regular maintenance of industrial machinery is crucial to maximizing performance and service life. One essential aspect of an effective maintenance program is effectively purifying and conditioning lube and hydraulic oils used in the machinery. This blog post will explore the significance of oil dehydrators/purifiers and conditioners and how they improve machine performance and prolong equipment life.
Oil dehydrators/purifiers and conditioners are specialized systems designed to remove contaminants and maintain the quality of various oils used in industrial applications. These oils play a vital role in powering and lubricating machinery. They also reduce friction and dissipate heat, preventing wear and tear. However, over time, contaminants such as particulate, moisture, air and other gases accumulate in the oil. This leads to costly issues affecting machinery productivity, reliability, and service life.
The Role of an Oil Purifier
An oil purifier is a system with an oil dehydrator and particulate filter. Dehydration removes free, entrained, and dissolved water and unwanted gases. The particulate filter removes solid particles such as dust, soot, metallic corrosion products and carbon. These purifiers often utilize a low-watt density heater to raise the temperature of the oil to facilitate efficient dehydration. By employing a combination of heat, vacuum dehydration and particulate filtration, an oil purifier maintains clean, dry oil and keeps lubricated and hydraulic-powered equipment productive and reliable.
Benefits of Using an Oil Dehydrator/Purifier
- Improved Lubrication: Clean oil ensures better lubrication, reducing friction and wear between machine parts. This results in improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
- Enhanced Equipment Performance: By maintaining the oil’s recommended cleanliness level, oil purifiers help machinery operate at peak performance levels, maximizing productivity and reliability.
- Extended Equipment Lifespan: Continuous online oil purification minimizes the risk of mechanical breakdowns and extends the lifespan of expensive industrial equipment.
- Cost Savings: Investing in an oil purifier can lead to long-term cost savings by reducing the need for frequent oil changes and preventing expensive repairs.
- Maintaining clean, dry oil in hydraulic systems prevents safety issues related to sluggish responses and equipment failures.
Oil Conditioners
Some machinery operates in wet environments or utilizes steam that may condense and leak into the lubrication system. If a leak suddenly occurs, it may demand rapid removal of a large volume of water, exceeding what a standard oil dehydrator/purifier can handle.
Oil conditioners are oil purification systems designed for applications requiring bulk water removal. In addition to a common oil dehydrator/purifier, they incorporate a special coalescing filter to knock out large amounts of water rapidly. The coalescing filter can be used intermittently when water ingression overwhelms the oil dehydrator or continuously.
Benefits of Using Oil Conditioners
- Removes a large volume of water from oil quickly.
- Minimizes equipment damage when lubrication or hydraulic power systems are subjected to sudden, unexpected episodes of water ingression from steam seal leaks, environmental or other conditions.
- Prevents or minimizes downtime that would otherwise result from water ingression.
- Reduces waste because wet oil is dehydrated instead of being changed.
Conclusion
Oil dehydrators/purifiers and conditioners play a vital role in ensuring industrial machinery’s efficient, reliable operation. These devices improve machine performance and extend equipment lifespan by effectively removing contaminants and stabilizing oil properties. Investing in oil purification optimizes machinery operations and leads to significant cost savings in the long run.
Consider incorporating oil dehydrators/purifiers or oil conditioners into your maintenance routine to improve your equipment’s performance and reduce maintenance costs. By doing so, you can experience the benefits of cleaner oil and reap the rewards of prolonged equipment life, reduced oil waste and increased productivity.
Remember, maintaining clean and well-conditioned oil is a proactive approach to safeguarding your valuable investments in industrial machinery. Start exploring the options available in the market to find the best oil dehydrators/purifiers and conditioners that suit your specific needs and requirements.
