Don’t Change That Oil!
Let’s face it. We all know that oil gets contaminated.
Particles that contaminate oil come from different sources, including wear from
metal, plastic, and rubber components, paint flakes, and even airborne dust. Left
alone in the oil, these particles will wear down and clog the equipment.
The smallest particles, less than 5 micron, are the worst problem. It is not economical to
catch such small particles with a filter. Water in oil is bad news, too. It deteriorates
the oil’s properties. It also damages valves and pumps, due to oxidation of oils and
additives, as well as corrosion.
Normally, we get around these problems by periodically changing the oil, usually
based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. In between scheduled oil changes,
we often change oil filters to assist in keeping the oil as clean as possible
Now, most mechanical engineers and trades people also know that even changing
oil and filters in dirty environments like experienced in mining is hard to achieve
without introducing contaminants in the process. But, until recently, it has been the
only real option used in the many industries like the mining industry.
It turns out that there is a way to get around changing oil filters and oil, a way that can
also save an incredible amount of time and money.
A centrifuge, as it is called, has the ability to remove contaminants including water
from the oil, in many cases, even when the equipment is actually operating. In the
maritime industry, it has been a standard practice for decades for ships to have
centrifuges continuously cleaning engine lube oil and fuel.
I will not bore you with the finer technical details. Rather, it will suffice to say that the
centrifuge removes these contaminants down to the micron level by accelerating
particle settling and liquid separation thousands of times. Some discs are used in
the centrifuge to increase the particle separation area, making the centrifuges
incredibly efficient.
The benefits of using centrifuges are great. Here are just some of them:
- Centrifuges save money by extending the life of equipment due to reduced
wear and corrosion of components, thereby reducing or eliminating the need
to purchase expensive replacement equipment
- Centrifuges save money by reducing maintenance costs. Imagine the cost
savings of not having to change the oil as regularly, or change oil filters at all.
- Centrifuges increase the productivity of equipment because you do not have
to stop the equipment to change filter cartridges
- Centrifuge are environmentally friendly because there is no oil loss, no
cartridge disposal, reduced risk of oil spillage and the extended operating
life of the machine’s hydraulic or lube oil.
- Centrifuges clean oil better than any machine fitted filters. It easily removes
particles in the 1 micron size range.
Alfa Laval has a unique range of oil cleaning separation systems that are highly
portable and specialized for oil cleaning duties.
“Emmie”, the most portable centrifuge, is mounted on a trolley, and comes complete
with its ancillary equipment, requiring only a 230v power point – ready for action
anywhere!
About Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineered
solutions.
Our corporate mission is to optimize the performance of our customers’ processes
time and time again. We help customers to heat, cool, separate and transport
products such as oil, water, chemicals, beverages, foodstuff, starch and
pharmaceutical.
We operate in vital areas – much of the world’s energy from diesel, turbine and
nuclear power stations is generated with the help of equipment from Alfa Laval.
Alfa Laval lies behind many innovations that have brought better, safer food at lower
price to more people.
Alfa Laval helps industry to recover surplus energy and raw materials, to purify
waste water and industrial fluids, to minimize emissions, to handle slop oil and to
convert wastes into bio gas.
Alfa Laval delivers equipment for water purification and desalination of seawater in
areas where fresh water is in short supply.
