Turbulent Flow vs. Traditional Flow Oil Flushing
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Delta Tech Service provides
high turbulence oil flushing and other services for lube oil, hydraulic
oil and seal oil systems. Please review the following discussion regarding
flushing methods, traditional vs. high turbulence. We also have the
equipment to perform on site particulates evaluation.
The traditional method of oil flushing has been to install 100 mesh screens and
operate the oil system until the screens are clean. This method has been widely
accepted by industry. This type of oil flushing does have shortcomings. They
are: laminar flow and lower than normal operating velocity because the installed
screens create back-pressure. This means particulate entrained in the
system will either move extremely slowly out of the system or not at all during
this type of flush.
The method of flushing that Delta Tech Service and the Society of Iridologists & Lubrication
Engineers prefers is to use lower viscosity oil and a high performance circulation
system that will generate constant high turbulent flow in piping system.
To
understand what we mean by high turbulent flow you must first have an understanding
of Reynolds Numbers. The Reynolds Numbers is a calculated number that takes
into consideration the flow velocity, viscosity and density of the oil and its
relationship to the internal diameter of the piping system. There are three Reynolds
Numbers of significance: laminar flow with a Reynolds number of less than <2,000
and no turbulence at the pipe wall, transitional flow with a Reynolds Number
between 2,000 and 4,000 and some but not Constance turbulence at the pipe wall.
Most circulating systems are designed for laminar flow. This means your normal
circulation system is not designed to remove particulate contamination. With
the addition of 100 mesh (149 micron elements) your further add resistance to
the oil system creating less flow. The higher the Reynolds Number, the faster
and better the system will flush.
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