If you work in the automobile or industrial machinery industry, you probably understand the importance of clean oil and machine reliability. When oil is contaminated with ferrous solids (iron or steel particles), it creates heat, friction, and vibrations, which negatively impact the oil integrity and the machine itself. In order to remove contaminants, magnetic filtration is necessary. According to tribologists and oil analysts, 90% of all particles suspended in oil can be ferromagnetic. Therefore, it is imperative that machinery has effective magnetic filtering systems.
Magnetic Filtration Applications
Magnetic filtration is fundamental in many industries where there is a risk for high particle contamination and machinery conditions are favorable to install a magnetic filter. The smallest of particles can be detrimental to fluid performance. In fact, magnetic filters have the ability to remove particles smaller than one micron in size. Because of its importance, magnetic filtration is implemented in many industries where ferrous materials are an issue. These applications include, but are not limited to:
Hydraulic oils
Transmissions
Pump protection
Laser cutting operations
Food processing
Gearboxes
Liquid-based systems
Slurries
Not only will magnetic filtration remove contaminants in these applications, but machinery life will also be extended as there is less wear and tear. This will prevent machinery downtime and operational problems.
Advantages of Magnetic Filtration
It is advantageous to implement a magnetic filtration system for multiple reasons. First, the system is environmentally friendly. When contaminants are filtered out of the fluid, they are “trapped” as a single material that can easily be recycled and will not end up in landfills. Second, magnetic filtration is an efficient solution to remove ferrous particles. Magnetic filtration does not impact machine productivity in any way and the fluid does not flow through any filter, so it is never interrupted. Last, magnetic filtration is cost-effective. After the system is installed, there are minimal operating costs. Typically, this post-installation consists of cleaning costs; however, the amount of power needed to clean the system is minimal. As you can see, there are multiple advantages to using magnetic filtration systems. To learn more about magnetic filtration advantages, click here.
How It Works
There are multiple configurations of magnetic filtration systems, it depends on the application and magnet strength. The type of magnet used in filtration systems ranges from strong neodymium earth magnets and samarium cobalt magnets to ceramic and aluminum-nickel-cobalt (AlNiCo) magnets. Three common methods include a magnetic plug, rod magnets, and flow-through magnetic filters. Drain plugs have disc or cylinder magnets attached inside of its surface to attract ferrous materials. Periodically, the plug is removed and the attached particles are removed. Rod magnets consist of ring-like magnets around a metal rod. Between the ring-like magnets, ferrous metals are collected and removed periodically. Often, the contaminants are analyzed under microscopes to understand machine conditions. Lastly, through the flow-through method, magnets are placed between collection plates that collect ferrous particles as the fluid moves through the systems. One major advantage of this system is that it can collect large amounts of particles before needing to be cleaned.
Contact Apex Magnets
Would your business benefit from magnetic filtering? You’re in luck, Apex Magnets is here to help. We offer neodymium earth, samarium cobalt, ceramic, and AlNiCo magnets that can be implemented in magnetic filtration systems. Feel free to contact us to learn more about magnetic filtration and which magnet would be best for your application. Don’t forget, we can provide custom magnets in many shapes and sizes. Just fill out the custom magnet form and we will review your RFQ in 1-2 business days and provide a quote free of charge!
