This overview of the advantages and applications of biodegradable hydraulic oil calls for readers to know the basic concept of hydraulics and how fluids are used for transferring pressure in machinery. It's also a good thing to know a bit about the exact meaning and definition of biodegradability. To keep it simple, let's take them one at a time, and then combine the two together to find out the benefits for agricultural, commercial and industrial applications.
Hydraulic systems make use of a fluid for transmitting force from one part of the system to another. This arrangement's efficiency is largely dependent on the fluid's compressibility. This is largely why most of these systems make use of extremely incompressible oils that multiply the force as it moves through the fluid to the other side.
The practical applicants are innumerable and quite common, such as transmissions, brakes and power steering in vehicles. Backhoes, garbage vehicles and dump trucks that do a lot of heavy lifting are entirely powered by hydraulics. The technology used in aircraft flight control system is also heavily dependent on hydraulics, and so are lifts and a huge number of heavy industrial machines.
The fluids in such systems often fulfill additional functions besides transferring power. They can, for instance, act as a conducting medium and transfer heat. The even pressure applied by the fluid acts as a sealant and prevents liquids and gases within the system from escaping into the surrounding environment. The fluid also serves as a lubricant to prevent wear of moving components due to friction, and it allows the heat generated to dissipate.
As to biodegradability, this refers to the way natural material is quickly processed and broken down into constituent components such as Co2 and other elements commonly found in the soil, water and air. The best example is a dead plant, which is processed by sunlight, microorganisms and water within a month. The example is quite apt for this discussion, because biodegradable hydraulic oil is made from plants and degrades in the same way when it leaks out on the ground or in water.
This fast degradability is obviously a good thing for any application, but it becomes even more critical for certain sectors. For example, agricultural machines such as tractors, combines and pumps used on farmland cannot be allowed to spill toxic fluids that may mix with the soil and water. It would eventually makes its way into feedstock and the agricultural produce, and thereby pose health risks for humans as well as farm animals.
These plant-based fluids can be either readily or inherently biodegradable. The former falls into the range of substances that biodegrade to the tune of 60 to 100 percent within 28 days. Those classified as inherently biodegradable will only biodegrade about 20-60 percent in this same period.
The simplest way to get hold of an highly efficient and environment-friendly biodegradable hydraulic oil is to look for standards compliance. ISO standards 32, 46 and 68 all point towards fluids that have a good oil grade or viscosity. As far as biodegradability is concerned, the standards to look for are ASTM-D-6046 or ASTM-D-6006.
Hydraulic systems make use of a fluid for transmitting force from one part of the system to another. This arrangement's efficiency is largely dependent on the fluid's compressibility. This is largely why most of these systems make use of extremely incompressible oils that multiply the force as it moves through the fluid to the other side.
The practical applicants are innumerable and quite common, such as transmissions, brakes and power steering in vehicles. Backhoes, garbage vehicles and dump trucks that do a lot of heavy lifting are entirely powered by hydraulics. The technology used in aircraft flight control system is also heavily dependent on hydraulics, and so are lifts and a huge number of heavy industrial machines.
The fluids in such systems often fulfill additional functions besides transferring power. They can, for instance, act as a conducting medium and transfer heat. The even pressure applied by the fluid acts as a sealant and prevents liquids and gases within the system from escaping into the surrounding environment. The fluid also serves as a lubricant to prevent wear of moving components due to friction, and it allows the heat generated to dissipate.
As to biodegradability, this refers to the way natural material is quickly processed and broken down into constituent components such as Co2 and other elements commonly found in the soil, water and air. The best example is a dead plant, which is processed by sunlight, microorganisms and water within a month. The example is quite apt for this discussion, because biodegradable hydraulic oil is made from plants and degrades in the same way when it leaks out on the ground or in water.
This fast degradability is obviously a good thing for any application, but it becomes even more critical for certain sectors. For example, agricultural machines such as tractors, combines and pumps used on farmland cannot be allowed to spill toxic fluids that may mix with the soil and water. It would eventually makes its way into feedstock and the agricultural produce, and thereby pose health risks for humans as well as farm animals.
These plant-based fluids can be either readily or inherently biodegradable. The former falls into the range of substances that biodegrade to the tune of 60 to 100 percent within 28 days. Those classified as inherently biodegradable will only biodegrade about 20-60 percent in this same period.
The simplest way to get hold of an highly efficient and environment-friendly biodegradable hydraulic oil is to look for standards compliance. ISO standards 32, 46 and 68 all point towards fluids that have a good oil grade or viscosity. As far as biodegradability is concerned, the standards to look for are ASTM-D-6046 or ASTM-D-6006.
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