How Does Water Ingression Harm Hydraulic Filter Carts?
August 4, 2022
Water contamination has been an issue in hydraulic filter carts since the day they were employed in industrial equipment.
As a matter of fact, every fluid that has any type of temperature change or water as part of its operational process is susceptible to water and many other types of contamination in its system.
Though hydraulic filter carts play an important role in protecting your equipment from damage, the effects of water ingression, if not dealt with on time, can be very damaging and can lead to expensive repairs.
The best way to avoid water contamination in hydraulic filter carts is by buying them from certified industrial oil filter suppliers.
Also Read: How To Reduce The Effects Of Contamination On Hydraulic Systems
But the real challenge is to first understand realistically how dry your system should be as a standard and how you can keep the system within that specification. If you are able to master this, then you will never face water ingression issues in your hydraulic filter carts.
In this blog post, we will talk in detail about how water ingression harms hydraulic filter carts.
The Main Problem
The ingression of moisture is unavoidable in any type of machine or equipment that uses lube oil or hydraulic.
However, there are certain types of fluids that make it harder for the water to emulsify or dissolve into the system. But still, it is a big problem that needs to be dealt with on time. Otherwise, it will have the chance to cause ultimate degradation and irreversible damage to your system.
Mitigating water ingression in your system from the start is believed to be significantly easier and results in lower costs as compared to repairing a system that has already been saturated or damaged.
There are many additional challenges posed by the conditions, applications, and environment that make it more difficult for industrialists to deal with water contamination.
If you want to protect your system, you will not only have to limit the effects of the water on the life cycle of your machine but also have to handle different forms of water in the oil, such as dissolved, free, and emulsified states.
There are many filtration systems for different purposes, and there is no one filtration system that fits all applications.
Water contamination can cause premature failure on the moving parts of your equipment, leading to lower productivity and consecutive failures. So by focusing on control, you can protect your equipment from premature failure.
Different Form Of Water
Here are the different forms of water that are usually present in your equipment’s system:
Dissolved Moisture
Dissolved moisture is the lowest form of water contamination in lubricating oil. This type of moisture is derived from the ambient, air, and humidity solely interacting with the lubricating oil over time. Typically, the more additives the oil contains, the more hygroscopic the oil will become.
However, this form of moisture does not greatly affect the viscosity or compressibility of the oil, but if not dealt with on time, it can spread within your system and cause serious damage to it.
Emulsified Moisture
If the equipment is left unchecked, the dissolved moisture will continue to increase within your system until it reaches a saturation point. At that point, any added water will precipitate out as emulsified micro droplets.
These emulsified micro droplets are like the mayonnaise you put in your sandwich. This form of moisture is created by continuous heating, churning, and high pressurization of water into the oil. The saturation point of all lubricants and hydraulic filter carts is different.
Free Moisture
This is the type of moisture that is neither emulsified nor dissolved with the oil sample but remains in a separate and distinct liquid phase. Free moisture is never incorporated into the oil and usually originates from leaks and condensation. It is usually denser than oil. Therefore it settles to the bottom of most engines or just forms a thin film over the metal components of your equipment.
About Harvard Filtration
Harvard Filtration offers what it takes to meet your industrial filtration needs. We offer a broad range of filtration systems. Harvard filtration systems and filter carts are the most trusted and dependable portable filtration systems.
Compatible with a broad assortment of petroleum-based and synthetic fluids, our filter carts can remove contaminants and water to a single micron, ensuring decreased hazardous waste disposal. Select our filters to experience your machine’s high performance. Contact us today here.
FAQs:
1. What is water ingression in hydraulic filter carts, and how does it occur?
Water ingression refers to the intrusion of water into the hydraulic fluid. It can occur due to condensation, system leaks, improper fluid storage, or exposure to high humidity environments, affecting the performance of hydraulic filter carts.
2. How does water contamination impact the filtration process?
Water in hydraulic fluid can reduce the effectiveness of the filter elements by causing swelling or damage to filter media. It may also decrease the fluid’s viscosity, making it harder to remove contaminants effectively, leading to inefficient filtration.
3. What are the potential damages caused by water ingression in hydraulic systems?
Water contamination promotes corrosion of system components, accelerates wear by reducing lubrication, and leads to the formation of sludge or emulsions that clog filters. Over time, this can result in increased maintenance costs and reduced equipment lifespan.
4. How can water ingression in hydraulic filter carts be prevented?
Water ingression can be minimized by using desiccant breathers, ensuring proper sealing of reservoirs, storing fluids in controlled environments, and regularly monitoring and maintaining fluid cleanliness. Proactive measures help protect the filter cart and the entire hydraulic system from water-related damage.
