FAQ - Hydraulic Knowledge - Filtration

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By reducing the amount of solid particles in a hydraulic fluid this has a direct impact on the life and reliability of a component. Solid particles can be produced due to a number of reasons in a hydraulic system (See “What are the causes of solid particles in hydraulic systems?” for more details on how solid particles can be produced).

When these particulates are allowed to circulate in the system this can cause sever wear to the components. This wear in turn produces even more solid particles allowing the wear to grow exponentially worse and lead to critical failure of one or multiple components in the system.

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This chain reaction of wear can be significantly reduced by use of an appropriately sized filter. At Fluid Power Solutions we can provide quality filtration products and solutions at highly competitive prices. Browse our “Store” and “Sales” pages for specific products we can provide.

Why is filtration in hydraulic systems important?

What are the causes of solid particles in hydraulic systems?

There is multiple opportunities for solid particulates to accumulate in a hydraulic system:

Before/ during commissioning = Even if the system is fully flushed it is impossible to remove 100% of particulates from a system. Particles such as swarf, rust, paint , packaging residue , weld spatter and scale are all commonly found to present in hydraulic fluid.

Internal contamination during operation = This includes all particles originating from inside the system itself. This can be due to wear of the cylinders and pistons, control lands, particles of paint, particles of rubber from hoses and seals and the by products of oxidation of the fluid.

External contamination during operation = This results from dirt and other contaminants penetrating poorly sealed tanks, damaged seals on pistons and unsuitable air filters.

The prevention and reduction of these contaminants can be significantly reduced by use of an appropriately sized filter. At Fluid Power Solutions we can provide quality filtration products and solutions at highly competitive prices. Browse our “Store” and “Sales” pages for specific products we can provide.

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What are the effects of contamination on component wear?

Solid particles that are present in fluid cause wear in hydraulic components. The amount of wear these particulates cause depends on the following parameters:

The material of the solid particles
The dimensions of the solid particles
The shape of the particles
The ratio of particle size to working clearance
The working pressure of the system
The flow velocity of the fluid

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Solid particles in even tiny quantities can cause serious and critical damage. The frequency of this damage is dependent on the operating pressure . The higher the pressure in the system the more the particles are force into the working clearances and the greater the damage to the component.

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What are the advantages of using a correctly sized filter in a hydraulic system?

By sizing the filter appropriately it will perform the following functions:

Removal of solid particles that have contaminated the hydraulic fluid
Prevention of variations in switching times due to damaged control lands
Prevention of functional disturbances due to solid particle contamination
Reduction of downtime between maintenance and shutdowns
Increased component life
Prevention of fluid aging due to chemical processes
Maintenance of fluid properties such as lubricity
Extends the operating life of a fluid
Improved reliability of the system

The selection of the correct filter for your application is vital. At Fluid Power Solutions we can provide quality filtration products and solutions at highly competitive prices. Browse our “Store” and “Sales” pages for specific products we can provide and contact a member of our technical team on the below channels for advice on the best product for your application.

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What are the different types of filters available ?

Suction Filters - Suction filters and strainers protect pumps from contamination, while also providing additional flow diffusion in the suction line.

Return Filters - Return filters perform the task of filtering fluid and preventing particles from entering the system externally or from internal wear and tear of components. These filters are normally mounted to the reservoir fully or semi-immersed. The position of the filters ensures returning fluid takes place in an immersed condition in all operating conditions, preventing the creation of foam and vortexes in the tank that can cause aeration and cavitation in pumps.

Return / Suction Filters - Combination Return / Suction filters are designed to filter an open loop return circuit and provide suction line boost to the closed loop charge pump in hydrostatic transmission applications.

High Pressure Filters - High pressure filters are designed to withstand the maximum pressure of the system and are sized according to the specific flow rate required.

Spin on Filters - Spin-on filters are used to protect individual pumps, valves or the entire hydraulic circuit from contamination.

At Fluid Power Solutions we can provide quality filtration products and solutions at highly competitive prices. Browse our “Store” and “Sales” pages for specific products we can provide.