Though hydraulic technology has advanced much, it is still challenging to keep the hydraulic fluid free from impurities and contaminants. Contaminated hydraulic fluids immensely affect the hydraulic system, affecting the overall working of the system. So it is crucial to have appropriate filtration equipment for your hydraulic tools to perform better with the ever-increasing pressure loads.
The hydraulic filters aids in removing the contaminants that can compromise the performance of the hydraulic system. However, you must know that not all hydraulic fluid filtration systems are the same. This article has covered the types of hydraulic filters and the overall importance of Hydraulic fluid filtration.
Hydraulic Fluid and its Importance
Before getting into the main topic, let’s look into what makes the hydraulic fluid play a crucial role in these machines.
Some of the main functions of Hydraulic fluids are:
It acts as a medium for power transfer.
- It helps in creating a pressure barrier by forming seals between metal surfaces
- It cools the mechanical components and thus regulates the temperature of the system
- They lubricate the metal surfaces of the hydraulic machinery.
Now that you learned about the functions of hydraulic fluid, let’s look into the importance of hydraulic fluid filtration.
Importance of Hydraulic Fluid Filtration
If the hydraulic fluid system is contaminated, the first step would be cleaning it. The more you keep the particulates from accumulating in fluid, the fewer chances your system will suffer from internal damage.
But still, even if you have the perfect sealed system, it is not entirely possible to keep all the external particulates out from the daily wear and tear of operation. So this is where the hydraulic systems come into the picture.
Working of Hydraulic fluid filtration:
The basic level of hydraulic fluid filtration involves passing hydraulic fluid into the machine through a strainer made of fiberglass or cellulose. When the fluid passes through the filter, big particles get trapped, and the fluid still passes by. These filters block the particulates, and at one point, they must be either cleaned or replaced.
There are different types of filters present, and each system has its own kind of strainer that helps increase the overall effectiveness of its hydraulic fluid filtration.
Types of Filters
Return filters
The hydraulic fluid passes through at least one return filter when it returns to the reservoir. So this filter stops the particles that are present in the fluid. Not only that, but this filter also prevents the contaminants from passing their way back into the reservoir.
Pressure Filters
The pressure filters are helpful in protecting sensitive components. This type of filter is located downstream of the hydraulic pump. It catches the particulates that come along with the fluid and thus prevents the mess.
Suction Filters
Suction filters are located either internally or externally of the machine. These filters are positioned at the pump’s inlet and prevent the particles from moving into the pump. It helps in protecting your hydraulic pump from particulate damage.
Duplex Filters
Duplex filters work as both return and pressure filters but with two separate filter chambers. This type of filter allows an operator to change the filter easily without interrupting the process of hydraulic fluid flow. This means changing the filter won’t stop the production.
Off-Line Filters
This is one of the popular hydraulic fluid filtration types. This filter includes a separate pump and plumbing software so that you can pump fluid from the reservoir via the filter and return it directly to the reservoir.
Tips for Maintaining the Hydraulic Fluid Filtration System
Once you have picked the right hydraulic filtration for your system and installed it, the next significant thing is to maintain them after a particular period.
Some of the maintenance steps you must follow are:
Start with Clean Fluid
If you have a newly installed filtration system, then it is optimal to use clean fluid. This is because the filter system will not be able to handle high concentrated particles. And they might clog quickly if this type is used. Rather, you can use these filters to preserve the fluid where you get the most out of the filters by beginning the fresh hydraulic fluid.
Clean or Change the Filters
This depends on the condition of your filters. If the particles get trapped in the filters, the amount of fluid passing through the filter will reduce. So it will affect performance. So check the filters regularly. Clean the filter if possible or replace it if needed.
Keep Records
It is essential to keep track of when you cleaned the filters so as to ensure that your hydraulic filters would work with good efficiency.