Choosing the Right Cooler Can Help Lengthen the Life of a Hydraulic System

Blog | February 11th, 2021

A hydraulic system is a drive technology that utilises hydraulic fluid in moving energy from one component to another. It has several important components that make it functional and efficient. The reservoir of the hydraulic system keeps its hydraulic fluid, while the hydraulic pump is designed to push the liquid throughout the system. The movement from the pump allows the fluid to be converted into energy. Other components of the hydraulic system are the electric motor, valves, and hydraulic cylinder.

Many pieces of mobile equipment maximise the functionality of the hydraulic system as it can generate high power density whenever needed. It can also be utilised for pitch and brake control. But to make this specific system work for a long time, its operating temperature must be maintained.

Coolers Bring a Lot of Benefits

To significantly extend the service life of hydraulic systems, their operating temperatures must be set at around 43 to 54 degrees Celsius. Once their operations exceed the recommended temperatures, the oil found inside these systems would certainly start to oxidate rapidly. The oxidation of the oil will not only shorten the life of the fluid, but it can also cause corrosion inside the hydraulic systems. Without any remedy, overheated hydraulic systems will effectively damage seals, bearings, and other components.

Given the effects of overheated hydraulic systems, different industries must ensure that their temperatures will be maintained. And with coolers, they can easily regulate the operating temperatures of the hydraulic systems that cannot be cooled naturally with the convection process. Coolers can likewise stabilise the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid, lengthen the useful life of the oil, improve operating times, decrease unexpected shutdowns, deliver efficient operations, and reduce service and repair expenses.

Knowing Your Cooler Options

When choosing or selecting the best cooler for a hydraulic system, one should heavily consider numerous factors such as heat load, power source, operating expenses, available space, surrounding conditions, and noise of the system.

To date, there are two cooler options that one can choose from.

The first type of cooler that one can use is the air-oil cooler. Air-oil coolers maximise ambient air when removing heat from the oil. They utilise the convection process in eliminating heat, making these coolers great for industries that do not possess an abundant source of water. When cooling the oil, it naturally passes through channels that have turbulators, preventing the development of laminar flow. The walls of the channels are mostly made from metals since they have high thermal conductivity.

Another type of cooler that can be used for hydraulic systems is the water-oil cooler. Water-oil coolers maximise a second fluid, which is normally water, in removing heat from the oil. This type of cooler is further classified into two more types. The first classification of water-oil cooler boasts a shell and tube design that has a maze-like structure, forcing the hot fluid to travel around it for a long time. Another design that is used for water-oil coolers is brazed-plate style. The overall structure of this specific style is known for its compactness and ruggedness. It is also great for providing high-heat transfer capacities.

To obtain a cooler for your hydraulic system, feel free to call us at Mobile Hydraulic Specialties.

Mobile Hydraulic Specialties Pty Ltd

Factory 89, 38-40 Popes Road
Keysborough, Victoria, 3173

Phone: (03) 9798-6511

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Mobile Hydraulic Specialties Pty Ltd

Phone: (03) 9798-6511
Address: Factory 89, 38-40 Popes Road, Keysborough, Victoria, 3173