Hydraulic Engineering - Electrostatic Discharge and Filtration

Electrostatic Discharge and Filtration

The introduction of new hydraulic and lubricant oils which conform to the latest ash-free standards through the elimination of traditional anti-wear additives, mainly zinc, has meant that these oils have been rendered non-conductive. Non-conductive fluids passing through high performance filters with a modest hydraulic load will produce a static charge which will be carried in the fluid around the system.

Problems occur in the following areas:

1. Static discharge through the filter element burns holes in the filter media rendering the filter useless.
2. Static discharge in the oil will burn it and cause it to age prematurely.
3. Static discharge can create explosive hazards, e.g. in systems and hazardous zones.
4. Static discharge could affect electronic equipment and either damage or cause inconsistent malfunction from electromagnetic waves.

A video of this phenomenon can be seen here.