Archive: Sep 2024

Hydraulic Oil Chemistry is Evolving, Are You Keeping Up?

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Why is Oil Chemistry Changing?

For decades, Group I oils dominated the market for hydraulic and lubricating fluid, particularly for industrial applications. Because they are created through a simpler refining process, they are the least costly hydraulic base oils available. However, the chemical composition of these less refined oils can have consequences for the environment and even potentially for the workers exposed to them.

Group I ‘Lightly Refined’ Oils have been deemed an environmental hazard.

  • These oils contain aromatics and toxic, potentially carcinogenic heavy metals. Due to this toxicity and the potential threat to the environment, Group I oils do not comply with newer, international environmental standards.

Group II & III ‘Hydrocracked’ or ‘Synthetic’ oils are replacing Group I oils as a more eco-friendly alternative.

  • Group II and III oils contain no toxins or carcinogens, as the toxic heavy metals have been removed.

Between 2012 and 2020, the market share of Group I oils halved. As environmental concerns drive industry standards towards more eco-friendly ends, this trend is expected to continue. But while this transition towards Group II and Group III oils benefits environmental and worker safety, there are some impacts on hydraulic equipment that operators must account for.

Increased Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Traditional Group I oils, with their higher concentration of heavy metals, have relatively high conductivity. Due to the higher conductivity, static charges generated by friction between the oil and filter element are more easily dispersed.

In Group II and Group III oils, these heavy metals have been removed, which lowers their conductivity. As a result, electrostatic discharge (ESD) can build up to potentially damaging levels. This can have serious impacts on the condition of the hydraulic system, and even pose a hazard to other electrical systems or even personnel in close vicinity to the affected equipment.

  • ESD damages filter elements, decreasing their lifespan, efficiency, and effectiveness.
  • Filter element failure results in increased contamination, which reduces oil life and exposes components to accelerated wear.
  • In extreme cases, ESD can arc and discharge outside of the hydraulic system, potentially damaging nearby electrical components or shocking workers.
  • High amounts of ESD can even cause gas combustion within the hydraulic reservoir, turning the system into a fire hazard.

Schroeder Industries Solutions for Static:

To combat the increasing presence of ESD in hydraulic equipment, Schroeder Industries developed cost-effective solutions for moderate and major cases of static buildup.

Depending on the level of conductivity in your hydraulic fluid, different element options are best suited to High, Medium, or Low/Critical conductivity.

Below is a selection of commonly used oil types, and the media Schroeder Industries recommends for each. Remember: higher conductivity means less static, and lower conductivity means more static.

Ask an Expert Which Anti-Stat Element is Right for You!

Anti-Stat Premium: Supercharged Static-Busting Capabilities For Extreme ESD

  • Specially formulated media dissipates electric charges before they can begin damaging your system
  • Eliminates all static buildup at the source
  • Effective for even the most critical cases of ESD, tackling conductivity values lower than 100 pS/m
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Anti-Stat Media: Reliable, High-Performance Solution For Low to Moderate ESD

  • Specially formulated media dissipates electric charges before they can begin damaging your system
  • Cost-effective option for mid-range ESD scenarios
  • Effective for conductivity values higher than 100 pS/m
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Increased Varnish Buildup

Another side-effect of the reduced conductivity in Group II and Group III oils is the increase of varnish formation. Due to the lower conductivity, oxidation is more likely to occur, causing the oil to deteriorate into sticky compounds that settle throughout the hydraulic system—not unlike plaque in human arteries. This has a variety of impacts on the functionality and condition of the hydraulic system including:

  • Varnish deposits on hydraulic valves and other
    components can cause the components to
    stick, or even become fully jammed.
  • Machines can malfunction as components
    lose efficiency or fail entirely, leading to lost
    productivity and safety hazards.
  • Hydraulic filters and filter elements may
    become prematurely blocked due to varnish
    buildup.

Schroeder Industries Solutions for Varnish:

Bust varnish before it can tarnish your equipment! Schroeder Industries offers a series of filtration solutions specifically targeting varnish and varnish precursors, including:

VEU – Varnish Elimination Unit

The service-friendly Varnish Elimination Unit (VEU) is used to prepare mineral oils and is particularly effective at removing varnish.

  • Removes solid and gel-like oil aging products/varnish for reservoirs < 2,000 gallons
  • Increased operating reliability of the system by decreasing deposits in hydraulic valves
  • Increased oil service life
  • Available for existing and new systems
  • Onboard cooler enables exceptional varnish precursor extraction.
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New in 2024: The VEU Compact

A highly efficient, cost-effective, compact unit with world-class varnish elimination capabilities.

  • For reservoirs < 300 gallons
  • High-efficiency, dual-layer media prevents varnish formation
  • Improves system reliability and performance
  • Reduces deposits on hydraulic valves
  • Increases fluid life
  • Does not require a cooler for optimal varnish extraction
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Ask the Experts if Your Filtration is Up To Date!

Contact-Blog-Changing Oil Chemistry

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