• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sealing & Contamination Control Tips

Fluid Power Sealing and Contamination Control Information and Resources

  • News
  • Contamination Control
  • Filtration
  • Seals
  • Fluids
  • Design Guides
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Why use a desiccant breather to protect your machinery and lubricant?

Why use a desiccant breather to protect your machinery and lubricant?

June 16, 2016 By Marisa Martin Leave a Comment

Share

In any fluid-containing reservoir, differential pressures occur through thermal expansion and contraction of the fluid, or during the filling and emptying process, causing water and contaminants to enter the fluid reservoirs.

Air drawn into the reservoir will heat up to unit operating temperature, which allows the partial pressure of the heated air to retain atmospheric moisture in vapor form.

As the air in the reservoir cools down, it loses its ability to retain the water vapor, and condenses. This condensed water forms droplets on the inside surfaces of the reservoir which group together and enter fluid, resulting in contamination. Water contamination of the lubricating oil dramatically shortens the life of the lubricant and strips additives. This results in accelerated wear of the component. 45Degree_EXB_Cutaway-Plain-web

The most common types of breather vents are standpipes or pipe fitting with a hood to prevent large objects from entering the reservoir. The problem with these simple breather vents is that they allow many abrasive contaminants to enter the reservoir as the unit draws in and expels air.
The solution in the past has been to fit disposable paper filter units to the standpipe or to fit complicated “oil bath type” filters to trap incoming contamination. Both of these solutions are relatively ineffective as the disposable filters generally only filter down to approximately 50 microns. Oil bath type filters also require frequent clean out and replenishment of the oil reservoir in the bath. Most importantly, neither method is capable of controlling water vapor.
Using a desiccant breather on the vent of your equipment will help mitigate both dirt and moisture ingression. Desiccant breathers, which can filter down to 0.3 micron in some models, are filled with a hygroscopic agent that traps ad adsorbs moisture contained in the air entering the filter. It also removes moisture from within the reservoir as the unit breathes out. By controlling moisture both outside and inside the reservoir, many of the problems typically caused by water contamination are prevented.

Desiccant breathers are available in a variety of different models to suit the needs of your application. For example, some breathers integrate check valves into the design to isolate the system from ambient conditions—great for high humidity environments or systems that run intermittently, while others incorporate a metal bodies to protect against extremely harsh environments.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Fluid Power World Digital Editions

Fluid Power World Digital Edition

Browse the most current issue of Fluid Power World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading design engineering magazine today.

Fluid Power Design Guides

fluid
“sact
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Fluid Power Professionals.

Footer

Sealing and Contamination Tips

Fluid Power World Digital Network

  • Fluid Power World
  • Mobile Hydraulic Tips
  • Pneumatic Tips
  • Hose Assembly Tips
  • Leadership in Engineering

Sealing & Contamination Control

  • Subscribe to Fluid Power World
  • Videos
  • Advertise with us
  • About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media, LLC · Privacy Policy