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Your lube oil tank might need a breather—but not the kind of breather you take after a long day at work! |
How Airborne Contaminants Can Enter Your Lubrication System?
Despite being an inanimate object, your lube oil tank “breathes” just like you do. When the oil level decreases or contracts due to temperature changes, air is drawn into the tank. This incoming air often carries particulate matter and moisture, especially in a busy processing plant environment. Although the tank “exhales” when the oil level rises, most contaminants stay inside, quickly absorbed by the lubricant.
Why This Matters?
Studies indicate that 50-70% of oil contaminants originate from outside the equipment. Even if the internals of your equipment are clean, the surrounding environment of the lube tank could be the main source of contamination. In a previous article, Why You Must Eradicate Contaminants in Your Lube Oil, we discussed how maintaining a high cleanliness standard for your oil benefits your equipment and your bottom line.
What Can You Do About It?
Similar to how a dust mask filters out harmful particles while allowing air to pass through, a breather on your oil lube tank shields your lubricant from contaminants. Installing a breather is an effective preventive measure to minimize airborne pollutants entering your oil.
 The outside of a basic threaded breather. |
 The internal details of a breather. This desiccant breather will be effective in removing particulates and moisture. |
Choose the Best Breather for Your System
Breathers are not all created equal. While standard designs have simple filter elements, choosing the right breather depends on several factors:
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How Much Air Is Being Moved?
Breathers must be sized correctly to allow sufficient air flow in and out of the tank. An undersized breather may restrict airflow, leading to undesirable pressure conditions that can hinder lubricant flow.
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What Types of Particles Are Contaminating Your Oil?
If you don’t know, it’s time to find out! Conduct a lab test on your oil to identify the contaminants. Then, select a filter element with suitable pore sizes to reduce particle ingress effectively.
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Has Your Oil Had Issues with Water Contamination or Is It in a Humid Environment?
If so, consider using a desiccant breather filled with silica gel, which efficiently absorbs moisture. Hybrid breathers are also an option, featuring a primary particle filtration stage followed by a moisture capture stage.
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What Environment Will the Breather Be Exposed To?
The functional part of a breather is housed in a protective casing. The material of this casing can affect its durability and cost. In harsh environments, opting for a rugged and sturdy breather may be necessary.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it’s clear that your lube oil tank might need a breather—literally! Installing the right breather can help keep airborne contaminants out, protecting your oil and extending the life of your equipment. So, take a breather for yourself and give your lube tank one too—it’s a small step that can make a big difference in maintaining optimal machinery performance.
If you would like further information on this article or others, please feel free to contact us.