Effective fluid contamination control is critical in ensuring the reliable operation of industrial hydraulic and lubrication systems. Removal of particulate contamination by filtration is a key component in achieving high levels of fluid cleanliness. Filter elements with low, clean differential pressures require less pump power to drive fluid flow, resulting in lower Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from filter element operation. In addition, filter elements with little or no metallic content are incinerable, leading to lower GHG emissions from filter element disposal. The environmental benefits from employing filtration can be further enhanced if the filter elements have a longer service life compared to conventional filter elements.
Another important aspect of fluid cleanliness in hydraulic and lubrication systems is water removal. In contrast to vacuum distillation systems which utilize high heat and operate at large vacuum pressures, vacuum dehydrators can completely remove free water and gases in fluids and up to 80% of dissolved water and gases while operating at low temperatures and small vacuum pressures. In this way, the GHG emissions from vacuum dehydrator operation are significantly lower compared to conventional water removal technologies.
In this work, the authors will present Case Studies of life-cycle analysis for filter element and vacuum dehydrator operation, demonstrating their considerable environmental benefits in comparison to conventional technologies.
Lubrication systems on modern paper machines circulate large volumes of lubricating fluid to the bearings on the paper machine, mainly in the dryer and press sections. Typically, high-efficiency filtration is installed in the pressure lines to maintain fluid cleanliness at the required levels. The differential pressure across these filter elements contributes significantly to the power demand of the system pumps.
In this work, the authors discuss how optimizing the filtration system by using advanced high efficiency filter elements can help reduce the "carbon footprint" of a paper machine main lubrication system.
High viscosity fluids: ISO VG 150 - 320
Large volume: up to 3,000 gallons
Circulating flow rates: up to 200 gpm
Pump relief pressure: 200 psi
Filter element change-out: on indication, 60 psid
Filter element service life: typical 4–8 weeks
