Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1399684
Which Will Keep Your Oil Contaminant-Free? Particle Breathers vs. Desiccant Breathers: W hen it comes to managing the head- space of a machine or machine component, many different breathers can be used, such as desiccant breathers, particle breathers, dry instrument air and expansion chambers. In this article, we will discuss the differ- ence between the first two methods mentioned: the particle breather and the desiccant breather. However, before we dive into the differences between these two types of breathers, it is important to understand head- space management and the purpose of breathers. e headspace of a lubricated sump is the area between the top of a lubricant and the top of the sump itself. e size of this space can fluctuate as a machine exhales and inhales. ere is not much emphasis put on the air that is leaving the machine. However, when a machine breathes in, there is a chance that harmful contaminants such as water and dirt can ingress and potentially cause harm to the lubricant and the machine. For this reason, it's important that we control what comes in with the air as it enters the machine. Particle Breathers Simply put, a particle breather is similar to the filters used to make coffee. Just like a coffee filter is used to keep the coffee grains out of the coffee pot, particle breathers are used to keep particles out of lubricated sumps. One downside of particle breathers is that they can allow water to easily find its way inside our machines, just like the coffee filter. ese filters usually come threaded and spun into the top of machines such as gearboxes, hydraulic units and pumps. Generally, the particle breathers that come on most OEM equipment are not sufficient to properly protect a machine's headspace. ink of the typical breather that comes on a hydraulic unit — they will usually have a twist-on lid with what looks like steel wool inside. While these will help keep rocks out, they are not able to trap the small particles that cause harm to machine surfaces. You will not often find a micron rating on the side of a particle filter; this rating would show the particle size that the filters are targeting. Desiccant Breathers e most important character- istic of a desiccant breather is the ability to desiccate, meaning it can remove moisture. Incoming air is cleaned and dehydrated through CONTAMINATION CONTROL & LUBRICANT RECONDITIONING Factor: C2P Learn More: noria.com/ascend/ Factor: C2P – Contaminant Removal Level: Platform (P) Stage: Contamination Control & Lubricant Reconditioning About: A focused and consis- tent contamination removal strategy ensures that contam- inants are eliminated as quickly as possible, optimizing machine performance. More about this ASCEND ™ Factor 22 | July - August 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com Travis Richardson | Noria Corporation