Breather keeps moisture at bay
2nd Quarter 2009
Other technologies
Water means trouble in bulk storage tanks, hydraulic and lubrication circuits.
Problems caused by water include:
Corrosion.
* Loss of lubricant film strength.
* Oxidation.
* Accelerated additive depletion.
* Reduced lubricant fatigue life.
* Microbial growth.
* Gel formation.
Minimising water contamination in fuel, hydraulic and lube oil systems reduces downtime, increases productivity and extends machine life.
Humid environments and poor air breather systems are a common cause of moisture ingress.
Breather technology
Using patented technology, Donaldson has developed a method for preventing the ingress of humid air into bulk fuel and oil containers. It is based on the utilisation of an additive, a thin film of water-absorbing chemicals, and the fact that warm air leaving a reservoir (exhalation) has lower relative humidity than cool air entering a reservoir (inhalation).
Donaldson’s compact bulk tank breather uses patented T.R.A.P. technology to minimise moisture absorption in bulk fuel storage, lube oil or hydraulic systems
The T.R.A.P. (thermally reactive advanced protection) Breather traps water before it gets in, yet does not restrict air flow. It removes moisture at relative humidity levels as low as 15% and its filtration technology blocks moisture. Donaldson claims that this is the only breather that strips moisture vapour from intake air and exhales the moisture back into the atmosphere on the outflow cycle. It continuously regenerates its water-holding capacity and lasts longer because it exhales the moisture back out, preventing water saturation.
Construction
This breather is manufactured by coating the walls of a porous network with a thin film of water-absorbing chemicals. The resulting high surface area of absorbent provides rapid removal of water vapour from air whilst maintaining size and weight. The open porous structure presents minimal air flow restriction; so flow into and out of the container is not impeded. In addition, the proprietary absorbents are not sensitive to oil mists entrained in the air leaving the reservoir.
The unit includes a pleated 3 μm filter to protect against the ingress of hard abrasive contaminant particles that would contribute to the wear of mechanical components. It is manufactured from materials that can be safely disposed of or recycled.
Preventing, not just reducing, water ingress in an oil or fuel container is the best cure for contamination. The T.R.A.P. Breather effectively maintains the water concentration well below the saturation level of the oil or fuel. It is small, lightweight and does not harm the oil or fuel.
Operating principle
The T.R.A.P. Breather is either absorbing or releasing moisture, depending upon the humidity in the air. This difference in relative humidity – high during inhalation and low during exhalation – is the force that drives the process.
Operating principle of the T.R.A.P. Breather
During inhalation, cold humid air entering the system is drawn over the large absorbent surface area inside the breather. The high humidity drives water into the absorbent and the majority of water vapour is removed. This dry air maintains the water concentration below 30% saturation. Once inside the system, the air contacts the warm fluid and metal surfaces which increase air temperature and further reduce the air’s relative humidity.
For more information contact Mariette Venter, Donaldson Filtration Systems, +27 (0)11 997 6000, [email protected], www.donaldson.co.za
Further reading:
Regular maintenance of cutting fluids is essential to maintain quality
Other technologies
Regular cleaning and maintenance of cutting fluid systems significantly enhances overall efficiency by extending the life of the cutting fluids, reducing downtime and improving the quality of the end products.
Read more...
Rethinking common approaches to wire rope lubrication
Other technologies
: Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites and drainage systems. Correct lubrication of wire ropes is absolutely critical because wire ropes are more than just cables, they are intricate machines composed of interdependent parts in constant motion.
Read more...
Monitoring vibration allows for equipment longevity
Iritron
Other technologies
Unscheduled downtime and maintenance on machines is often a source of frustration for many companies active in industrial manufacturing as it results in loss of process and productivity, which in turn equates to loss of revenue.
Read more...
Quantum refrigerator paves way for reliable quantum computers
Other technologies
Quantum computers require extreme cooling to perform reliable calculations. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Maryland, USA, have engineered a new type of refrigerator that can autonomously cool superconducting qubits to record low temperatures, paving the way for more reliable quantum computation.
Read more...
Next-gen battery-driven grease gun
SKF South Africa
Other technologies
SKF’s innovative TLGB 21 battery-driven grease gun optimises lubrication efficiency and reduces costs, by seamlessly combining advanced technology with a smart, rugged design.
Read more...
First recyclable plastic bicycle frame
igus
Other technologies
Industrial polymer developer and manufacturer, igus has unveiled the first injection-moulded polymer bicycle frame designed for advanced bikes, marking a major milestone in sustainable mobility
Read more...
Vibration test system supports international space industry
TANDM Technologies
Other technologies
Dragonfly Aerospace has launched EOS SAT-1, one of seven satellites in the world’s first agricultural-focused constellation. With optimisation of resources being a key component for Dragonfly, it called on TANDM to assist in creating and heavily expanding its environmental testing capabilities by providing a vibration test system that allowed it to perform in-house vibration and shock testing.
Read more...
RS PRO a key partner for planned maintenance
RS South Africa
Other technologies
RS PRO, the own-brand of RS, offers a comprehensive selection of over 80 000 products spanning all industries and technologies.
Read more...
Addressing water conservation challenges
Other technologies
A recent report by the University of California underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to improve water conservation efforts. David Strain, director at Technidrive, and an expert on integrated automation systems, explains why quarrying thickeners have emerged as a promising solution.
Read more...
Oil quality sensors for lubrication management
Other technologies
In an era where operational efficiency and machine health are critical, oil quality sensors are indispensable tools for successful lubrication management.
Read more...
printer friendly version