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November - December 2017
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49
Solid particulate contaminants can lead to
machinery failure mechanisms such as three-
body abrasive wear. Moisture contamination
can result in adhesive failure mechanisms
and increase the rate at which lubricants
break down.
Oil by nature is hygroscopic, which means
it will absorb moisture readily from any source,
including from humidity in the air. By utilizing
a desiccant breather, you can reduce the
amount of moisture in the air that is entering
the system.
e headspace is important to keep in
mind, as it can help determine the amount
of "breathing" that will occur inside the
machine. erefore, it is imperative to under-
stand how much the headspace can fluctuate.
For instance, the headspace in a splash-lubri-
cated gearbox will fluctuate less than that of
a hydraulic system reservoir where there are
large volumetric changes within the sump. is
volumetric flow rate must be within the breath-
er's capabilities, or it may cause a vacuum or
pressurization condition inside the component.
e environment in which the machine
operates should be considered as well. For
severe environments, such as those with water
spray and large amounts of dirt, select a desic-
cant breather that can handle the expected
amounts of contamination. For the most severe
environments, you might choose a breather
with a check valve or bladder assembly to help
prolong the desiccant's life.
The cleanliness level required by the
machine must also be taken into account when
determining the desired desiccant quality. Of
course, the more critical machines should
receive the most attention.
Considering all of these variables will
provide the most effective way to select a
desiccant breather. While a number of options
are available, some are better suited for certain
situations. Remember, it is far better to provide
more protection than needed rather than to
skimp on quality in order to save money.
ML
If you have a question for one of Noria's
experts, email it to editor@noria.com.
ML
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