Bench Testing of Sensors Utilized for In-Line Monitoring of Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids Properties

This work reports the results of a study on the behaviour of five sensors recently developed for oil conditions monitoring, installed in-line in an experimental test rig for lubricants. The tests were carried out on seven oils of different origins (one synthetic ester, two bio-based synthetic esters, four vegetable oils) and use (two UTTOs and five hydraulic oils), under controlled working conditions, according to a specially designed test method. At first, the study concerned the identification of the conditions for the correct sensors’ installation. Then, the tests started applying to the fluids severe work cycles intended to accelerate oil ageing. The data of viscosity, permittivity, relative humidity, electric conductivity, particle contamination, and ferro-magnetic particles provided by the sensors were compared to the results of laboratory analyses made on oil samples taken during the tests with the aim of verifying the sensors measurements accuracy and reliability and selecting the more suitable ones to in-line oil conditions monitoring, in the perspective of introducing them also in field applications, e.g., on agricultural tractors, for preventing damages due to oil deterioration, and in managing the machine maintenance.

The importance of the electrical properties of hydraulic fluids

Purpose Apart from the basic material properties of liquid lubricants, such as, e.g., the viscosity and density of the hydraulic fluid, it is also important to have information regarding the electrical properties of the fluid used. The latter is closely related to the purpose, type, structure, and conditions of use of a hydraulic system, especially the powertrain design and fluid condition monitoring. The insulating capacity of the hydraulic fluid is important in cases where the electric motor of the pump is immersed in the fluid. In other cases, on the basis of changing the electrical conductive properties of the hydraulic fluid, we can refer its condition, and, on this basis, the degree of degradation. Design/methodology/approach The paper first highlights the importance of knowing the electrical properties of hydraulic fluids and then aims to compare these properties, such as the breakdown voltage of commonly used hydraulic mineral oils and newer ionic fluids suitable for use as hydraulic fluids. Findings Knowledge of this property is crucial for the design approach of modern hydraulic compact power packs. In the following, the emphasis is on the more advanced use of known electrical quantities, such as electrical conductivity and the dielectric constant of a liquid. Originality/value Based on the changes in these quantities, we have the possibility of real-time monitoring the hydraulic fluid condition, on the basis of which we judge the degree of fluid degradation and its suitability for further use.

Development of Methods for the Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol by Hydrogenation of Hydroxypivaldehyde

Neopentyl glycol (NPG) is a precursor for the manufacture of many valuable products of industrial importance such as polyester, polyurethane and alkyd resins, synthetic lubricants, hydraulic fluids, drugs, etc. The structure of NPG provides the resins with excellent hydrolytic stability, resistance to weather conditions, good flexibility-hardness balance, and outstanding functional properties. The paper presents a literature review on the development of methods for NPG preparation, focusing primarily on the synthesis of NPG by hydrogenation of hydroxypivaldehyde, which is obtained by the crossed aldol condensation of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde. Preparation of the substrates, catalysts, technical and apparatus solutions, and NPG purification were discussed.

Ionic liquids – the path to the first industrial application

When using hydraulic fluids, users rarely ask themselves how the development of the hydraulic fluid they use in their hydraulic device has gone. Perhaps only curious users want to know the approximate composition of the newer, better hydraulic fluid, compared to the fluid of the previous generation. Rarely, however, do they know the developmental pathway of the new fluid. Even in the case of minor changes in the chemical composition of the fluid, e. g. a newer package of additives for mineral oils, or other base oil, requires lengthy fluid testing. First, in the manufacturer's laboratories, and then in the industrial environment. In the case of a completely new type of hydraulic fluid, the development path is much longer. The paper presents the behind-the-scenes development of a completely new type of hydraulic fluid - ionic liquid, from learning about the liquid itself all the way to industrial application.

Influence of differently viscous hydraulic fluid on the flow behaviour inside a hydraulic tank

The viscosity of a hydraulic fluid is certainly one of the most important material properties of a fluid, as it affects a whole range of phenomena in the hydraulic system and the operation of the entire system. Among other things, it affects the efficiency of the hydraulic device directly. Thus, the development of hydraulic fluids goes in the direction of fluids with lower viscosity, which, in turn, results in different flow behaviour and processes inside the hydraulic tank. The paper presents the results of a study of the flow conditions in a small hydraulic tank for cases of different fluid viscosities. The results were obtained based on a detailed simulation of conditions inside the tank. Apart from the impact of the changed flow conditions, the lower viscosity of the liquid also influences the elimination of solid contaminants and air.

Application of Multidimensional Statistical Analysis in Tribotechnical Diagnostics of Hydraulic Fluids in Woodworking Equipment

The article dealt with the assessment of the quality of hydraulic oil and determination of the mode of wear of the friction surfaces of Baljer & Zembrod manipulating lines through the information traces in the oils by applying tribotechnical diagnostics. We presented the assessment of the level of degradation of the oils. In addition, we presented the mode of wear of the friction surfaces washed in oil through evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the particles found in the oil. In detail, we focused on the application of suitable multivariate statistical methods on the data matrix. The article also presents predictive models that can sort oils into groups based on the assessment of quality of the oil and the state of the friction couples. The models can be used in research and in solving practical tasks in tribotechnical diagnostics of hydraulic fluids in woodworking equipment. Our results showed that the manipulation lines were greatly thermically stressed due to inadequate oil and machine maintenance. By correlative integration of all methods used, we could determine the real mode of the wear of the tribologic nodes of the machine. The experiment enabled the early detection of an undesirable process in the tribological node and implementation of corrective measures before the machine would break down.

Bio-Based Hydraulic Fluids and the Influence of Hydraulic Oil Viscosity on the Efficiency of Mobile Machinery

Leakage of hydraulic oils causes long-term damage to the environment. Every year, a significant amount of hydraulic oil is released into the environment through accidents and leakages. Biohydraulic oils minimize the risk of environmental damage due to their biodegradability and lack of toxicity. Mobile machines offer great substitution potential for biohydraulic oils. The majority of machines are operated with mineral hydraulic oils. Furthermore, in view of decreasing energy resources and rising CO2 emissions, there is a strong interest in reducing the fuel consumption of mobile machines. Triggered by this trend, the power density of hydraulic systems and their components continue to increase. Resulting, the used hydraulic fluid is subject to greater thermal stress and the system thermal of the used fluids are becoming increasingly important. Biohydraulic oils offer a great potential due to their thermal properties, regarding viscosity temperature dependency. Therefore, the content of this article is to consider the influence of hydraulic oil’s viscosity on the efficiency of a crawler excavator. For this purpose, experimental tests are discussed by regarding viscosity related energy losses of hydraulic systems of crawler excavators by using biohydraulic oil. A hypothesis about the dependency of rheological properties of biohydraulic oils on the hydraulic system’s efficiency is formulated.