Hydac’s new Optimicron filter range focuses on minimal energy consumption combined with a high level of fluid cleanliness and a long service life. The series has been expanded with the addition of two filtration ratings: 1 and 15 μm. The customer can now select the ideal filter element for his special application from six different filtration ratings: 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 μm. The filter layers have a graduated structure which means that the pore size becomes consistently finer from the contaminated side towards the clean side. Particles of varying sizes therefore become efficiently embedded within the depth structure of the filter layers, with minimal impact on the flow characteristics.
This outstanding depth filter effect in the main filter layers prevents premature blinding of the filter element and guarantees a low differential pressure over a long period. The tried-and-tested outer wrap made of highly tear-resistant plastic has oval perforations in the Optimicron element. The shape of these pores improves the angle of incidence onto the filter pleats.
In addition, the oval shape provides greater tear-resistance in the outer wrap. According to the pipe formula on which the design of pressure vessels and pipes is based, the tangential stress on cylindrical bodies is twice the axial stress. If these force ratios are applied in terms of the outer wrap, stress peaks are generated on the round holes in the axial direction, which results in the wrap failing in the longitudinal direction. With the oval perforation, the stress is distributed evenly and therefore results in much higher strength.
The oval perforation makes the element immediately identifiable as an original Optimicron element. In addition, the wrap can be individually customised using high quality multicolour printing.
Another innovation is the new and unique pleat geometry. The Helios pleat features alternate high and low pleats. This special pleat geometry significantly increases the area for the incident flow and reduces the flow speed between the pleats. This results in improved flow and consequently reduced differential pressure. If the system is subject to high loads, then with a standard pleat design, the pleats become compressed, the sides stick together and accordingly the differential pressure increases. The Helios pleating counteracts this compression because the smaller pleats support the larger pleats and help maintain a gap between them. This produces a large surface area for incident flow, even under high load conditions. This produces consistently lower pressure drops. In the Optimicron filter element a new type of drainage layer is incorporated on the upstream side. The special, asymmetric design of this layer allows channels to develop through which the fluid can flow uninterrupted. This provides excellent drainage along the pleat.
A further innovation in the new Optimicron is the newly developed integrated drainage layer on the clean side of the filter element. This ensures that fluid flow is channelled into large flow cross-sections along the pleat. Many market players just use conventional wire mesh here which causes pressure losses, turbulence and dead-spaces, due to the woven structure. The combination of integrated drainage layer and the tried and tested stainless steel wire mesh ensures free flow with very low differential pressure coupled with high pleat stability. The optimised and integrated drainage layers are produced for specific applications.
Optimicron at a glance
The new Optimicron filter series from Hydac has a wealth of new features and innovations. The increased filtration rating range means that the customer can achieve optimum fluid cleanliness. High contamination retention rates and therefore long filter element service life are achieved as a result of the efficient particle retention thanks to the graduated filter layer structure. The innovative outer wrap with oval perforations provides excellent tear resistance and indicates at first glance that it is a genuine element. Furthermore, the Helios pleating increases the available area of incident flow and compared to standard pleating, this brings advantages in terms of differential pressure, particularly when subject to high loads. In addition, the optimised and integrated drainage layers on the upstream and downstream sides increase the flow cross-section as well as reduce the pressure drop significantly.
During tests, it was shown that Optimicron elements have up to 30% lower differential pressure in comparison to filter elements typically available on the market.
For more information contact Walter Heijboer, Hydac, +27 (0)11 723 9080, [email protected], www.hydac.com
| Tel: | +27 87 163 5000 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.hydac.co.za |
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