THE PRINCIPLE OF Working OF ELC

1) Contaminants in oil are either positively or negatively charged due to the contact potential difference with oil. When oil is passed through an electric field, positively charged particles are drawn to the negative pole and vice versa.

Neutral contaminants are drawn and deposited by gradient force to the edge of the die electric media where the intensity of the deformed electric field is highest.

2) When corrugated die electric media (collectors) are inserted between electrodes, the electric field is deformed and die electric polarisation occurs at the tips of the corrugation. The electric field is the strongest at the tips and particles are drawn and deposited on opposite electric poles and removed from oil.

WHAT IS THE LIMIT TO WHICH OIL CAN BE CLEANED BY ELCs

This is a filter maker's challenge.. the smaller the particle, the more difficult it is to remove by filtration! For a mechanical filter, small particles create problems as fine filters reach a limiting dP value faster.

ELC, on the other hand works on a different principle, and it is easier to remove smaller particles. Because of small size, the smaller particles tend to have higher "Charge Density"(charge/ area) and move faster in the electric field due to their small weight. Hence they are more easily removed by ELC.

All particles suspended in oil, magnetic / non-magnetic, organic/inorganic, resinous matter or sludge, including virus and bacteria can be removed from oil by the ELC. Particulate size removal can be BETTER THAN 0.01 MICRONS. All insoluble matter is removed from oil by ELC. It is possible to maintain oil in a running hydraulic system at a level better than NAS 6 .

New hydraulic oil is generally of a purity level of NAS 10-12 or ISO 23/21/18, which indicates that ELC can maintain used oil in a running system at a level of purity higher than new oil.
It is important to maintain oil at NAS 5 or ISO 16/14/11 in a running system, rather than purchase oil of NAS 5 and use it in a contaminated system.

FAQs

1) How long can oil be used?
Nature has taken a million years to create the molecular structure of oil.
Considering hydraulic oil is used below 50°C. The life of oil is more than the life of the machine in which the oil is used.

2) Does oil viscosity change when oil is used for a long time?
Oil viscosity will change If And Only If oil is:

• Mixed with another oil of higher or lower viscosity
• Mixed with water
• Heated (however viscosity will revert to the original when temperature reverts to the original.)

3) Does oil viscosity change or are additives depleted if oil is maintained with ELC and used for many years?
Subjecting oil to cleaning by ELC over prolonged periods will not alter either the viscosity or additive level, see ELC and Oil Additives.

In India, a number of independent laboratories and oil companies have confirmed that it is impossible to remove additives with ELC.

We know that ELC does not remove additives. It retards the oxidation process. The life of anti-oxidants and other additives is substantially increased when oil is continuously maintained with ELC. The concentration of additives will be reduced with time. However, since the oil is topped by about 10% a year, the additive level is also topped - up. This ensures that the same oil can be used indefinitely.

BENEFITS OF ELC SYSTEM OF CONTAMINATION CONTROL
Over 35,000 units have been supplied by KLEENTEK all over the world.
In India, over 1000 units are in operation in diverse industries such as injection molding, power generation, steel, aluminium, copper, defense, i.e. wherever hydraulic and lubrication oils are used.

The following benefits will accrue with contamination control by ELCs:

• No oil change.
• Reduction of hydraulic and lubrication system malfunction, leading to reduced maintenance costs.
• Zero downtime.
• Reduced oil leakages, leading to clean and safe work space and environment.
• Better quality control - from consistent pressures in Hydraulic circuit
• Lower energy consumption.