Hydraulic oil is the lifeblood that powers hydraulic machinery and equipment used in a broad range of industry sectors around the world. Hydraulic fluid provides the pressure needed to hydraulic systems through hydraulic hoses and quick couplings at connection points. There are many reasons why contamination may occur in a hydraulic system, which could create minor disruptions or cause major equipment damage and extended downtime.
Contamination
in Hydraulic Systems: The Aftermath
Preventing contamination in hydraulic systems should
always be a top priority of equipment operators and maintenance
technicians. According to an article in Hydraulics & Pneumatics, 65% to 90% of all hydraulic system failures are caused
by contamination as reported by industry experts. With numbers like that,
preventing contamination in the first place is critically important to prevent
costly consequences.
The aftermath of contamination in a hydraulic system can range in severity from causing intermittent malfunctions to expensive machinery damage with complete equipment downtime. Hydraulic fluid contamination could cause:
● Costly equipment repairs
● Loss of efficiency
● System flushing
● Catastrophic failure
● Equipment downtime
From minor inefficiencies to total equipment downtime,
anytime your equipment is out of service, lost productivity negatively affects
profitability. Regardless of the severity of equipment damage or failure,
extensive troubleshooting is required to determine the cause of the
contamination and hydraulic system failure.
What Causes
Contamination in Hydraulic Systems?
There are many different possible sources of contamination
in hydraulic systems. It is important to know the potential sources to deal
with contamination effectively. Some of the most common causes of hydraulic
fluid contamination include:
During
production of hydraulic fluid -
while it is rare due to strict quality controls, contamination during hydraulic
fluid production can occur during mixing or processing. It is a good idea to
filter all hydraulic fluid entering into a hydraulic system as even fresh
hydraulic fluid could be contaminated.
Contamination
during hydraulic fluid storage -
of course you should always keep hydraulic fluid storage containers tightly
sealed at a controlled temperature. Changes in temperature can create thermal
expansion or allow moisture to access the interior of storage containers.
Moisture contamination is not easy to notice visually but can significantly
impact performance.
Contamination
during handling and fluid transfer -
anytime hydraulic fluids are exposed to the air, it is exposed to moisture,
dust and airborne particles. Contamination will most definitely occur if the
equipment and the area where fluid transfer is taking place are not clean.
Never leave the lid off of fluid any longer than you need to and do not open
fluid in an area that is not clean.
Contamination
of fluid during maintenance and service -
hydraulic fluid naturally degrades over time, requiring regular service
intervals. Seals should be checked as leaking seals can be a source of
contamination. Maintenance on hydraulic equipment provides an opportunity for
many errors to allow contamination to occur. The best thing that maintenance
technicians can do to prevent fluid contamination during preventive or repair
maintenance procedures is to follow a meticulous checklist and always be aware
of the possibility of contamination.
How to Prevent
Contamination in Your Hydraulic System
All components should be thoroughly cleaned during each
maintenance procedure, all hoses, hydraulic
fittings and adapters should be
handled carefully with a clean, lint-free cloth. Use dust caps on quick
couplers and cap hoses as soon as they are opened. Do not open new filters or seals until they
are ready to be used. Remember to always
flush the system before adding fresh fluid, and always filter fluid before
adding to your hydraulic system.
Flat Face Quick
Couplers Limit Contamination
You can additionally reduce your risk of contamination in
your hydraulic circuit by using flat-face hydraulic quick couplers, which limit
contamination in any hydraulic circuit and are easy to clean. Stucchi offers a
wide selection of flat face hydraulic quick couplers with easy connect under
pressure, no leak performance and easy cleaning features.
Stucchi’s flat face quick coupler design set the ISO 16028
industry standard. You can find many
Stucchi flat face quick couplers to meet your needs or ask a hydraulic
specialist.
Our VUZ check
valves help prevent
backflow and keep fluid moving in the right direction. Stucchi’s hydraulic adapters and check valves
are especially helpful in vertically structured circuits, preventing backflow
from gravity if or when the pump stops.
Stucchi offers more than 60 years of experience in
providing hydraulic solutions to a wide range of demanding industries including
construction, demolition, oil and gas, agricultural, mobile, aerospace ground
service support and more. If you are experiencing contamination in your
hydraulic system, let the hydraulic specialists at Stucchi evaluate your
process for a better solution.
Stucchi excels
with providing hydraulic solutions that improve your hydraulic applications and
overall business operations. Preventing contamination within the circuit and
eliminating hydraulic fluid spills saves time and money and maximizes equipment
uptime. Contact us with any questions and speak with a specialist today to
learn how to prevent contamination in your hydraulic system.
This article was previously published at: https://www.stucchiusa.com/blog/preventing-contamination-in-hydraulic-systems/
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