4 Vital Industrial Oil Flushes and When to Use Them
There are numerous ways to define what an industrial oil flush entails. Whether conversing with fellow contractors or equipment maintenance personnel, it's imperative to use the same terminology to avoid potential confusion. This post discusses four types of industrial oil flushing techniques and when each is ideal for your industrial applications.
Circulation Filtration
This industrial oil flushing process occurs when the system is in production with all pumps in their regular flow pattern. Generally, the process involves external filtration circulating on the reservoir. Besides, it's considered an oil flush because it helps achieve cleanliness levels below the standard or manufacturer's operating specs.
This process is ideal during annual system maintenance with limited time, including reservoir cleaning and filter replacement. However, avoid circulation filtration if the system has pipe breakages or cracks in the bearing housing. Consider using a third-party lab or field kit to verify particle count or cycle completion.
Rinse/Purge
This technique is typically ideal when refilling your industrial systems with neutral fluids or changing the old oil with a new one. It generally involves system drains, reservoir refill to minimum circulation levels and utilising system pumps running at regular flow paths.
In most cases, this oil flushing technique is especially applicable when performing a significant lubricant change, detergent displacement or varnish mitigation using cleaners. Ideally, particle count helps determine the cleanliness level required. For vanish mitigation tasks, consider using a third-party laboratory or field test kids similar to the circulation filtration technique.
System Flush
This type of oil flush is common with system pumps. Generally, it relies on bypasses installed around vital components, including control valves and bearings. It includes the cleanup of any orifice plates and accumulator blinding or other essential elements that might get damaged through the oil flushing process. Particle counts and inspection screens play a vital role in cleanliness verification.
Often, this process is essential for light system maintenance tasks. For instance, it's ideal during a change of temperature control valves or non-essential systems like the redundant boiler feed pump. Remember that utilising system pumps to eliminate foreign substances might take longer than using external pumps to enhance flow rate.
High-Velocity Oil Flush
Finally, most system administrators in industrial setups believe that high velocities happen once you attain turbulent flow. However, turbulent flow transpires at higher Reynold numbers, typically influenced by inertia. In turn, this gives rise to tumultuous counterflows, vortices and other flow fluctuations.
Simply put, the oil alters direction rapidly, bouncing through the pipe's interior sections. Consequently, this process aids in breaking materials truck on the walls and upper parts of the pipe's interiors. For more information on oil flushing, contact a professional near you.
