Steps To Manage The Cost Of Lubricant Filtration
November 11, 2021
Everything comes with a price tag. The same goes for removing dirt from oil. The price is high for large plants and fleets operating in dusty environments. We all know that contamination control is very crucial and that it can only be done with proper filtration.
Lubrication filtration is important because if you need to protect your machines and increase their lifespan you will need to filter the lubricant you are using.
We can opt for quality filtration by using a few different options to get the most cleanliness. This will give you the desired cleanliness and will save you money as well.
In this blog post, we will discuss how you can achieve oil cleanliness at economical rates.
Stop The Ingress
Everyone knows that filters last longer when they don’t get clogged with particles. So the best way you can manage your cost of lubrication filtration is by tracing the particle’s ingressions path.
By tracing the particle’s ingression pathway you will find out how the particles are getting into the lubricating fluid. Once you know from where the particles are entering you can block those entry points. After all, your lubricants should never contain any dirty particles in them.
When you block all the entry points of the particles and stop the particle ingression you won’t have to filter your oil. Since the dust particles won’t be entering the oil, the cost of cleaning the dirt from oil will be reduced.
Select Economical Filters
Economic filtration and economic filters are two different concepts but are intertwined. The economic filtration system consists of operating conditions such as the filter location, flow density, use of multiple filters, and pressure, etc. Whereas the economic filter is related to concepts such as media type, filter size, and dirt holding capacity.
Here are some conditions and factors that can improve the filter and filtration economy.
Oversized Filters
The lower the oil flow rate the better the filter economy. This is also referred to as flow density. So by doubling the size of the filter the capacity of dirt holding will be increased. Hence using an oversized filter will lower the rate of dirt particles in your oil and will also decrease the cost of filtration.
Warm Oil Filtration
You can increase the service life of your filters by arranging them upstream with a heat exchanger. The lower viscosity of the warm oil will make the oil flow easier through the filter media and will also reduce the time needed to reach the terminal’s pressure. As mentioned, warm oil also improves fluid filterability. However, there are a few drawbacks of exceedingly high temperatures such as premature oil oxidation
Series Filtration
You can improve the economy of your filtration by arranging them in series. By arranging the filters in a series by placing the expensive filter at the end, you will be able to protect the expensive filter from dust and dirt.
By arranging them in series the oil will pass through the lower cost filters before reaching the final stage of the filter. What these low-cost filters will do is they will remove most of the dust and dirt from the oil and will allow the expensive filter to have a more extended life span.
Change The Filter On Time
Changing the filter at the right time is very important. As, changing a filter too early will waste valuable resources and changing it too late will put the oil and machinery in jeopardy. It has been seen that many times the cost of oil filtration increases ten times of the apparent cost of oil filtration if the filter is not changed on time.
In addition to this, there are additional charges of labor, used filter disposal, scheduling, inventory, and oil top-off cost that increase if the filter is not changed on time.
You can improve the timing of your filter change by using many technologies such as delta-P indicators, time-out alerts, and pressure rise profile monitoring. All these technologies will help you to change your filter on time.
Apart from following the aforementioned steps, it is important that you buy your filtration from an authentic hydraulic filtration supplier. Otherwise, all of this will be of no good if the filtration you are using is not of good quality. Therefore, always buy your filtration products from professionals.
FAQs
1. Why is managing the cost of lubricant filtration important for my business?
Managing lubricant filtration costs is essential because it can significantly impact your overall operating expenses. By optimizing filtration processes, you can extend the life of your lubricants, reduce maintenance costs, prevent equipment failure, and improve overall productivity, leading to long-term savings.
2. What are some strategies to reduce the cost of lubricant filtration?
To reduce filtration costs, consider implementing regular monitoring and maintenance schedules, choosing high-quality filters that last longer, optimizing filtration intervals based on operational conditions, and investing in filtration systems that increase efficiency while reducing waste. These practices can minimize unnecessary filtration and maintenance costs.
3. How can I determine the optimal filtration frequency for my equipment?
The optimal filtration frequency depends on factors like the type of equipment, operating conditions, the quality of the lubricant, and the contaminants present. Regular monitoring of lubricant quality through testing can help determine when filtration is necessary, reducing unnecessary costs by avoiding over-filtration or under-filtration.
4. What role do advanced filtration technologies play in cost management?
Advanced filtration technologies, such as electrostatic filtration and magnetic filtration, can remove contaminants more efficiently, which extends the life of your lubricants and reduces the need for frequent filter changes. These technologies may involve higher initial costs but can offer long-term savings by minimizing operational downtime and maintenance expenses.
About Harvard Filtration
Harvard Filtration provides a wide range of high-quality oil filtration systems that will help you implement a sound lubrication program. For more information visit our website or contact us today.
