What Is the Purpose of a Reservoir Breather?

Think about a big machine that does important jobs, like lifting or moving. Inside, there’s something called a hydraulic system that makes it work. But, just like we take care of our bodies, machines need attention too. That’s where “desiccant breathers” come in – they’re like the guardians that keep these systems clean and safe. But how often should we look after them? Let’s find out more about keeping these protectors in good shape.

Understanding Desiccant Breathers: The Guardians of Cleanliness

Imagine if the hydraulic system is a big puzzle, and desiccant breathers are the puzzle pieces that keep it clean. They stop bad things like dirt and wetness from getting inside. These breathers help the system work well for a long time.

To learn more about how desiccant breathers work, read our blog – How Desiccant Breathers Work

Factors That Decide When to Change or Service

Just like we eat and exercise based on where we live and what we do, desiccant breathers need different care depending on where they are and what they do. Things like where the system is, how much it’s used, and the type of fluid it uses all decide when to change or service these breathers.

Listening to the Experts: What Manufacturers Say

Imagine if desiccant breathers had doctors who tell us how to take care of them. Well, the manufacturers of these breathers do just that. They give us advice on when to change or service them. Listening to them is like getting expert advice for our machines.

How Often to Change: Finding the Right Time

Think of changing desiccant breathers like taking your car for a check-up. Sometimes it’s every few months, other times it’s once a year. This keeps the machine in good shape. Different jobs need different care, and changing these breathers is part of that care.

Signs You Need to Act: Paying Attention to Clues

Just like we know we’re sick when we have a fever, hydraulic systems show signs too. If you see the color change, water collecting, or less air going through, it’s like a signal. These signs mean it’s time to take care of the desiccant breathers.

Personalized Care: Adjusting Based on Needs

Imagine if some people needed more doctor visits than others. Hydraulic systems are like that too. Checking on the breathers regularly helps us see if they need more attention. Just like adjusting our care, we can adjust the care for these breathers.

Taking Care: What and How

Caring for desiccant breathers is like giving them a bath and a refill. We usually do this when it’s time to change them. This keeps them strong and ready to do their job well.

Why Regular Care Matters: The Good Things It Brings

Think about a plant that grows better with regular water and sunlight. The same happens with machines when we take care of them regularly. Changing or servicing desiccant breathers on time makes the machines work better, last longer, and costs less to fix.

A Healthy Journey Ahead

As we finish this journey of desiccant breather care, remember that it’s like taking care of a friend. Regular changes or services keep them strong and ready. If you want more help with desiccant breathers, we are here to help you.

Breathers block the entrance of ambient air into a reservoir unless it has first gone through a cleansing process. A reservoir breather cleans any air entering the reservoir as fluid levels decrease due to normal system cycling. This type of cleansing is essential to clean all of the air entering a system, especially in harsh environments. Desiccant breather models benefit from open-circuit hydraulic systems, enabling air to enter and exit the reservoir as fluid levels increase and decrease. At TTI, we offer PowerBreatherTM desiccant breather technology designed to prevent contaminants from entering machinery, worsening its condition, and eventually degrading its performance.

Purpose of Reservoir Breathers

Beyond removing airborne particles, a reservoir breather may also remove the water molecules present in the incoming air in humid work environments. Water can do a lot of damage to equipment, including changing the oil viscosity and causing sludge formation. This technology is manufactured to allow you to closely regulate particulate contamination levels in the fluid control system. They replace the OEM breather or dust caps on a hydraulic fluid reservoir, gearbox, storage tank, oil drum, oil-filled transformer, or another type of fluid reservoir.

The PowerBreatherTM

The PowerBreatherTM line of desiccant breathers represents a significant upgrade over standard OEM breathers or dust caps on machinery. As contaminated air flows into the top of the breather, it moves through layered filter media that blocks solid particulates from traveling into the breather and inflicting damaging wear on the surfaces of the equipment. The filtered air travels through a bed of silica gel which takes damaging moisture out of the air. The silica gel desiccant also helps keep the equipment dry by drawing in moisture from inside the machine’s reservoir during shut-down or service.

Desiccant breathers protect various types of fluid reservoirs from the negative effects of contaminants (like dirt) and moisture. A desiccant breather functions by removing water and contaminants before they travel into the fluid system. The silica gel will change color when they reach maximum water capacity to indicate a replacement is required. This allows you to achieve continuous protection of your fluid system.

It is important to prevent moisture ingression in hydraulic fluids and lubricants in order to prevent the degradation of equipment operation and extend its service life. When moisture ingresses, some of the resulting issues that can occur include oxidation, rust, changes in viscosity, sludge problems, and lubricant additives/depletion. A reservoir breather can help ensure your machinery fluids are protected from contamination.

Summing it up

Prevent fluid contamination in all types of industrial applications and operating environments! To learn about TTI’s three-stage design reservoir breathers we offer for the protection of machinery and their operations from particle contaminants and unwanted moisture, call us today at 303-585-0132 or complete our contact form and leave us a message.