Greetings! As a support specialist for customers purchasing our gearboxes, a common concern is how to protect against moisture in the oil and corrosion damage. With approximately 60% of the interior being airspace, condensation is a significant risk. I am interested in determining the most effective methods for controlling moisture. Please share your feedback and rank the following moisture control options in order of effectiveness: A) desiccant breather with knockouts (open) B) desiccant breather with check valves C) desiccant breather with bladder D) dry nitrogen purge E) sump heater - (or suggest another method?) Let's discuss and find the best solution!
For enhancing your options list, I recommend incorporating D.. and offline oil filtration systems like F from http://www.cjc.dk/. Prioritize incorporating these solutions to optimize the efficiency and reliability of your operations.
After resolving initial challenges, "A" has shown promising results. For optimal performance, it is crucial for mechanics to correctly install the unit by either leaving inlet plugs untouched or opening all of them to prevent damage and prolong its lifespan. Depending on factors such as extreme humidity or dusty environments, a nitrogen purge may be necessary but poses risks in confined spaces. Consider using sump heaters for applications where the unit has intermittent usage and experiences cooling between starts. Typically, cooling coils are found in reducer sumps rather than heaters, although this decision should be based on ambient humidity levels and specific application requirements.
dgeesaman, What range of gearbox sizes are you looking for? Do your customers typically purchase one or two gearboxes, or do they require multiple units for each location? In scenarios where multiple gearboxes are needed, a portable centrifuge may be a suitable solution, particularly for larger gearboxes.
Vee mentioned considering using a portable centrifuge for oil purification. They are unsure if emulsified water can be removed along with free water using this method. To implement this, a bypass stream would need to be set up through the centrifuge and run for a specific period or until test results indicate success. Would this suggestion involve a regular maintenance routine to ensure proper cleaning and drying of the oil in each box? Thank you, Richard.
Inquiring about the range of gearbox sizes you typically work with, dgeesaman. Do your customers typically purchase 1 or 2 gearboxes, or do they require multiple units at each location? In cases where multiple units are needed, a portable centrifuge may be a suitable solution, especially for larger units ranging from 1hp to 150hp. While I have not had prior experience with portable centrifuges, I have always favored methods that focus on reducing humidity rather than waiting for moisture to condense and only collecting the condensed water. The ability of these gearboxes to seal well and not intake large amounts of air makes humidity reduction methods superior.
Hi there! In my experience, a combination of methods A, B, and D work best. A desiccant breather with knockouts (open) allows for passive moisture control, whereas the one with check valves offers a bit more protection against outside contaminants entering your gearbox. However, both these options might not be sufficient in highly humid environments. That's where dry nitrogen purge comes in—it can effectively remove any existing moisture within the gearbox. As for the sump heater, it can cause the oil to degrade over time, so I suggest using it sparingly. I hope this helps.
I'm by no means an expert, but in my own experience, I've found nitrogen purge (D) to be the most effective when it comes to preventing corrosion and controlling moisture. Because it displaces the oxygen, it also significantly reduces the likelihood of water condensation. That being said, desiccant breathers with check valves (B) can be quite effective too, especially in environments where there's a lot of particulate matter. However, remember that no single method is foolproof. A combination of these methods would offer the greatest protection if you're dealing with high-risk conditions.
Hello! As a maintenance engineer, I've had quite a lot of experience tackling moisture problems in gearboxes. From your listed options, I'd rank a dry nitrogen purge (D) as the most effective. It not only displaces the moisture-dense atmosphere but also helps maintain a positive pressure differential, thus preventing new moisture ingress. Desiccant breather with check valves (B) would be my second choice as the valves would prevent outside air from entering when the system is not under operation. As a third option, the desiccant breather with bladder (C) can be beneficial, although replacement and maintenance could be more intensive. Ultimately, combining these methods may yield the best long-term results.
In my experience as a maintenance engineer, I've found that option D, a nitrogen purge, seems to be the most effective at maintaining moisture control when carried out properly. Nitrogen's dry and inert nature keeps moisture-related corrosion at bay. Followed closely by option B, desiccant breather with check valves, as it allows the system to 'breathe' while maintaining a moisture-free environment inside. Nevertheless, you might also want to consider a combination of methods based on specific application requirements and safety measures.
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Answer: - Moisture in gearbox oil and corrosion damage are common concerns due to the risk of condensation in the airspace of gearboxes.
Answer: - Effective methods for controlling moisture in gearbox oil include desiccant breathers with knockouts (open), desiccant breathers with check valves, desiccant breathers with bladder, dry nitrogen purge, and sump heater.
Answer: - Desiccant breathers can help in controlling moisture by absorbing moisture from the incoming air before it enters the gearbox, thus reducing the risk of condensation and moisture buildup.
Answer: - Dry nitrogen purge is used to displace the air inside the gearbox with dry nitrogen, reducing the moisture content and preventing condensation.
Answer: - A sump heater helps in maintaining the oil temperature in the gearbox, which can reduce the risk of condensation and moisture accumulation by keeping the oil at a higher temperature.
Answer: - Apart from the methods mentioned in the discussion thread, other effective methods for
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