Hydraulic filter thrives underground

The latest bypass microfilter unit from Filtration Analysis Services Technology is specifically designed for applications where nonsparking, strength and durability are required.

The latest bypass microfilter unit from Filtration Analysis Services Technology is specifically designed for applications where nonsparking, strength and durability are required.

The units are manufactured from zinc to comply with the statutory regulations for underground mining operations.

An initial trial was operated from November 2005 to February 2006 with the co-operation of the Shendong Mining Company, a division of the ShenHua Energy Group, the largest energy and coal mining company in China.

Two identical CST machines were selected - CST2 and CST3 - and a filtration unit was fitted to CST2.

Oil samples were taken at preselected dates from each machine.

The samples were analysed at the mine laboratory and in FA-ST's UK laboratory.

Comparisons were made over the 3 month period and the additional filtration maintained the oil in CST2 in very good condition.

The contamination levels rose in CST3 to unacceptable levels and the oil had to be changed.

The trial proved the products viability and efficiency.

The first batch of filtration units was installed in June 2006.

These units are fitted to Dodge Rockwell Automation CST conveyor drive machinery above and below ground.

FA-ST carried out the installations and also trained other engineers in the installation and maintenance procedures.

Zinc is non sparking and suitable for hazardous location applications such as coal mines, gold mines, tankers and refineries.

Zinc offers high strengths (to 3.5kbar) and superior elongation for strong designs and formability for bending, crimping and riveting operations.

Few materials provide the toughness of zinc, impact resistance is significantly higher than cast aluminium, plastic and grey cast iron.

Zinc has the rigidity of metals with modules of elasticity characteristics equivalent to other die castable materials.

Stiffness properties are, therefore, far superior to engineering plastics.

High casting fluidity allows for thinner wall sections to be cast therefore reducing the overall weight and allowing good heat dissipation.

All units are subject to individual pressure testing and strict quality control, they are powder coated white and are supplied boxed as complete kits.

Each unit is supplied with a filter cartridge, Parker Hannifin MSHA covered hydraulic hose, sampling point, pressure gauge, high pressure ball valve, mounting bracket, nuts and bolts, and all related hydraulic fittings/adapters.

The standard 9778UMZ unit can be installed on any hydraulic circuit up to 5.5bar, or with the addition of a pressure limiting valve may be installed on circuits up to 200bar.

Hydraulic fittings can be supplied to suit specific machinery applications and are available in JIC, BSP, Metric, ORFS and Parker SteckO.

Thanks to the success of the zinc filtration units FA-ST is also producing filter rigs using zinc units: these are available in two- or four-pot configurations and are built to order.

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