Hydraulic components - Oil cooler

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A Hydraulic Oil Cooler is quite simply a device used for the cooling of Hydraulic Oil, usually in Hydraulic Power Packs but they can also be used on Power Washers, Engines and almost anything where there is hot oil to be cooled. Some equipment manufacturers use and Air Cooled heat exchanger if their equipment is mobile, some will use a brazed plate heat exchanger but many choose to use a traditional shell and tube oil cooler instead.

Heat kills hydraulic systems. That’s why hydraulic oil coolers are widely used in a diverse range of agricultural, mobile, manufacturing, and industrial settings. They remove excess heat generated by energy losses in a system, as well as that from external sources such as engines, furnaces, and even the surrounding environment. In fact, coolers are often essential for designing temperature-optimized hydraulic systems that keep oil temperatures within a limited range. Such circuits are basic prerequisites for cost-efficient operation, as they provide a number of performance, economic, and environmental benefits.

Reasons for cooling hydraulic fluid (oil):

Maintaining the correct temperature keeps oil at its recommended viscosity, ensuring mechanical components are properly lubricated and hydraulic devices run at peak efficiency. Letting oil temperature rise beyond recommended limits can reduce the life of a system due to poor lubrication, higher internal leakage, a higher risk of cavitation, and damaged components. Keeping temperatures down also helps ensure the oil and other components last longer. Excess heat can degrade hydraulic oil, form harmful varnish on component surfaces, and deteriorate rubber and elastomeric seals. Operating within recommended temperature ranges increases a hydraulic system’s availability and efficiency, improving equipment productivity. More machine uptime and fewer shutdowns, it reduces service and repair costs.

Types of hydraulic fluid (oil) coolers

Air-cooled oil coolers and water-cooled oil coolers are the two important categories of oil coolers used in the hydraulic system. In the air-cooled oil cooler, it will be equipped with electric or hydraulic ventilator and it cools down the heated fluid by streaming air through it. Water-cooled oil cooler utilizes liquids for cooling the hydraulic oil. This cooler is more efficient, quieter and compact in size. To prevent contamination of both fluids, a barrier is used for separation.

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