"Oil analysis data indicates that there is water in one of my gearboxes. I have put a portable filter cart on the gearbox, but about every three hours, the full indicator on the filter pops up. I have changed the filter twice but it doesn't appear to be removing the water. Is it possible that my filter won't take the water out of the synthetic oil that I'm using?"
If you are using a standard filter for particle removing, then the answer is no, it will not remove the water. However, if it is a water-removing type filter (superabsorbent type), then these are useful for removing small amounts of water after accidental ingress.
If you have significant amounts of water, for example in excess of 0.1 percent by volume, you need to address the root cause of the water ingress, then dehydrate the oil or replace it depending on the volume. Too much water is subjective, but technically, if there is visible emulsified water (cloudiness of the oil), this is too much.
As such, there is an ingress source that needs attention. Water content is an issue that is typically dependent upon the unit location (indoors/outdoors), proximity to any process water or any washdown activity that may take place near the gearbox or any steam source in the vicinity. The use of a desiccating breather or expansion diaphragm-type sealed unit may also reduce the moisture ingress, as will deploying better quality seals and educating the personnel responsible for washdown activity.
For more on this topic, see the White Paper:
Removing Harmful Water Contamination from Oil
- Martin Williamson, Noria Corporation
Discuss on Message Boards |
