CMS membrane technology is the effective, easy to use, and low cost commercial solution for removing free, emulsified, and dissolved water from lubricants and oils
Impact of using a CMS membrane to take water out of oil
Removes water to safe levels
Takes out all forms of water (dissolved, emulsified, and free) and maintains extremely low moisture levels in lubricating and hydraulic oils.
Oil dehydration system works inline — even in wind turbines or while vessels are at sea — to extend equipment and oil life and overall system reliability.
Does not strip out additives
Removes water without removing performance additives; works effectively in dehydrating oils in the presence of both fresh and salt water.
In controlled and industrial environments, CMS' perfluoropolymer membrane systems have been shown to remove 100% of free and emulsified water, reduce dissolved water to well below 100 ppm and, under certain conditions, remove dissolved air.
Membrane solution easy to implement
Simple, reliable, compact, portable, and lightweight technology with low energy usage. Oil dehydration systems are compact enough to fit through ship hatches and down steps by one person, or to be lifted into a turbine nacelle. Once set up, the system runs with minimal oversight and management, and fewer moving parts than vacuum oil purification systems.
Cost-effective
Solution requires low operational costs, competitive capital investment costs, and the ability to service multiple applications in rotation make this the most cost effective short and long term solution.
Businesses across a wide variety of industries have implemented CMS membrane-based solutions to solve their problems with wet lubricating oil. Check out some real-life success stories below:
What Water Does to Lubricants and Oils
Water in lube leads to two problems: poorer performance and damage to machinery. Lubricants must remain clear of water (free, emulsified and dissolved) in order prevent loss of lubricity, component damage and degradation that will shorten the service life of gears, bearings, and hydraulic systems.
Lubrication specialists recognize water’s damaging effects on components: acid buildup, corrosion, spalling, hydrogen embrittlement, and biomass buildup, especially with presence of salt. These problems can be worsened when dissolved salts are present.
CMS technology effectively reduces water content, even in challenging in environments where water is ever-present: power plants, paper mills, coal conveyers, cooling towers, steam turbine, wind turbines, and marine systems.
The CMS membrane system removes water without removing or damaging performance additives.
How a membrane solution works
CMS membranes are a step change in technology and customer value. Working by pervaporation, an energy efficient combination of membrane permeation and evaporation, membranes separate two or more components through a thin polymer film with an evaporative phase change comparable to a simple flash step.
CMS membranes can remove even small quantities of water, to provide product that is 99.999+% free of water. CMS membrane modules are chemically and thermally resistant, can be used in harsh environments, and work effectively in viscous fluids. They resist fouling and are easier to operate and maintain than alternative dewatering systems.
Please note that membranes are not 100% impermeable barriers: small quantities of the desired product, whether solvent or oil, will pass through the membrane. All systems are designed to capture and address these materials.
If you still have questions check out our CMS Membrane Module FAQ.
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Even very small amounts of dissolved water in lubricating oil can have substantial impact on bearing life. Cantley et al. investigated the effect of dissolved water on the fatigue life of roller bearings. The figure at right shows an adaptation of their findings. Bearing life can be extended over 500% (i.e. 25 years vs 5 years), if the bearing lubricant contains only 25 ppm dissolved water compared to 400 ppm. Bearing life reduction was more significant at 25 to 100 ppm water than the fatigue life decrease experienced from 100 to 400 ppm water (Cantley, 1977).
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