Varnish Problems Resolved With Electrostatic Oil Conditioners
Posted in Varnishing Doors on Apr 21st, 2012 | 0 commentsVarnish is an inevitable enemy of hydraulic control and lubricating oil systems. However, its presence and impact on a machine can be resolved through the use of an electrostatic oil filtration system.
Along with tar and sludge, varnish is one of the byproducts of oxidation, a chemical process initiated by the friction and heat of operating a hydraulic or lubricating oil machine. This friction and heat cause the quality of a machine’s lubricating oil to deteriorate over time. Other factors contributing to oil degradation include water contamination, implosion of air bubbles and static discharge from mechanical filters.
Once this degradation occurs, byproducts from the oil will begin to settle throughout the system. In due course, these byproducts will attach to the surfaces of a machine, forming the sticky coating known as varnish. The presence of varnish also attracts other contaminants, forming an abrasive surface on piping, valves, filters and other components that are vital to a machine’s performance.
Some performance problems caused by varnish that can lead to hefty maintenance costs include:
Sticking of directional valves and other movable parts
Acceleration of wear and tear caused by contaminant build-up in varnish
Increased friction, heat and energy
Reduced filter efficiency
Conventional Cleaning Methods and Oil Analysis Tests
Despite advances in hydraulic and lubricating oil system technology, varnish problems remain a performance threat to machines old and new. Additionally, oil analysis tests have been proven unreliable or limited at best in determining a machine’s potential varnish levels.
As for removing existing contaminants, conventional cleaning methods such as detergents, mechanical filters and vacuum dehydrators have had mixed results. These methods are effective in removing water and hard contaminants large and soft. However, the molecular size of the byproducts responsible for forming varnish is too small for removal by these methods.
Additionally, oil passing through mechanical filter media has been found to generate static electricity that can cause spark discharges and accelerate oil oxidation leading to hydraulic system failure.
Electrostatic Oil Conditioners
Electrostatic cleaners are effective in reducing the presence of both micron-sized contaminants and byproducts from oil oxidation in hydraulic and lubricating oil systems. The most effective electrostatic oil filtration systems utilize gradient force, allowing it to take advantage of the natural charge that each contaminant contains to draw them toward oppositely charged collector surfaces. As the oil flows freely through the system, Kleentek removes the contaminants, submicronic particles, dust, dirt and products of oil oxidation, including tars and varnishes. These contaminants are trapped on the collector surfaces for easy disposal.
Upon installation of the Kleentek electrostatic oil conditioners, oil is drawn from the main reservoir at low velocity into the electrostatic collector which continually removes the submicronic as well as larger contaminants from the reservoir. As the cleaned oil from the reservoir is circulated through the lubrication system, it will then begin to strip away any sludge, varnish and other contaminants on the interior surfaces throughout the system. High quality electrostatic filtration systems have been known to resolve varnish-related performance problems, such as sticky valves, in as little as fourteen days.
The end result is a high-performance machine operating courtesy of an oil filtration system that requires the minimal maintenance of an occasional collector replacement.
Joe Topmiller, Technical Sales Manager at United Air Specialists (UAS), is the author of this article about electrostatic oil conditioners and their use in oil filtration. UAS manufactures Kleentek electrostatic oil conditioning systems, which feature an innovative design that uses the principles of electrostatics to collect oil oxidation, tar and varnish contaminants from the oil.
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How to Update an Old Door : Sanding & Cleaning a Door when Remodeling
Posted in Varnishing Door on Apr 21st, 2012 | 3 comments
A painting expert shows you how to sand and clean a door in preparation for painting in this free video on updating old doors. Expert: Grady Johnson Bio: Grady Johnson is an actor, director and producer who has performed and worked in the theatre for over 25 years. Filmmaker: Grady Johnson
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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Finishing Mess
Posted in Wood Finishes on Apr 20th, 2012 | 0 commentsFinishing Mess
Image by John Loo
I am entering the highly toxic and wasteful world of wood finishing.
Sunnyvale, CA
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At marathon motors listening to schools, and waitin for cage the elephant!!!
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