Industrial machines have many moving parts. They all require attentive care and maintenance to keep working for as long as possible. However, they will generate heat during normal operation. And without adequate heat dissipation, continued use of the machinery will result in costly damage. Consequently, one of the more vital aspects of the operation of this heavy machinery is industrial coolant.
On the other hand, the coolant itself also becomes contaminated with foreign particles during regular operation. These pieces of solid matter can have a significant negative impact on the coolant’s efficacy. Therefore, proper filtration is necessary for continuous use.
What Makes Industrial Coolant Filtration So Vital?
The primary use of industrial coolant is keeping the machines at a reasonable operating range to help avoid damage. However, when solid and other contaminants get into the coolant, they are likely to facilitate the growth of bacteria. These growths may, in turn, cause line blockages and pump destruction. Therefore, filtering the industrial coolant is a vital process if the machines are to remain in proper working condition.
You may also consider completely replacing the coolant every time contaminants are detected. However, this option very quickly becomes cost-prohibitive. Therefore, filtration also serves as a method of keeping your costs down.
What Are the Different Filtration Methods?
Centrifuges
There are two main types of centrifuges used for coolant filtration: automatic and manual. They both work using the same primary process. Contaminated coolant flows into a bowl which spins fast enough to draw the unwanted solids out and onto the sides. From there, clean fluid flows out of the filter through a strategically placed outlet and is ready for reuse. The contaminants then get cleared either manually or automatically.
The primary advantage of centrifuges is that they use nothing more than gravity to enact separation. Therefore, their operation is straightforward.
Vacumatic Filters
This filtration method utilises a wire structure known as a filter bed pool upon which an ideal filtration implement gets placed. Next, you spread the dirty coolant evenly on top of the system before using the vacuum created by an exhauster you place underneath the filter bed to draw the liquid down. Finally, all that remains on the bed is the easily disposed of solid waste.
Magnetic Filtration
This type is the preferred coolant filtration method. It uses a magnetic field within a steel drum through which the dirty coolant passes. The field attracts any ferrous solids present in the fluid and traps them within the drum. Finally, the clean liquid flows out and gets circulated back into use while the trapped contaminants are cleared away.
The primary drawback of magnetic filtration is that it only catches ferrous solids. All other contaminant types like grease, dust or grit will remain. Thus you also need to use a vacuumatric or paper gravity filter to certify that the cleaning process is truly successful.
Industrial coolant filtration is a small yet significant process whose execution is vital. Consequently, the simple act of acquiring the necessary filtration equipment can go a long way toward ensuring that you remain in operation for a long time to come.
