Why Do We Use Desiccant Breathers in Hydraulic Systems?

In the world of hydraulic systems, cleanliness is always a top priority. Clean hydraulic fluid promotes smooth operation and enhances overall efficiency, resulting in cost savings and increased productivity. However, when not maintained properly, fluid contamination can have severe consequences such as accelerated wear, reduced efficiency, and costly repairs. 

To combat these issues, desiccant breathers have emerged as a crucial component for advanced filtration and maintaining clean hydraulic systems. 

There are several reasons why desiccant breathers are essential in maintaining clean hydraulic systems. They prevent accelerated wear and damage to equipment surfaces, ultimately extending the service life of hydraulic components. They also effectively remove moisture and particulates, ensuring optimal performance and reducing the risk of system failure. 

How Desiccant Breathers Extend the Service Life of Your Hydraulic Systems

Hydraulic systems are the lifeblood of numerous industrial operations, providing power and precision in a wide range of applications. However, the same attributes that make hydraulic systems important also make them highly susceptible to the damaging effects of moisture and contaminants. This is where desiccant breathers come to the rescue!

Desiccant breathers are ingenious little (and not so little) devices designed to combat moisture and particulate ingression into hydraulic reservoirs. They incorporate moisture-absorbing materials known as desiccants, which actively attract and trap water vapor from the incoming air. By doing so, they prevent the moisture from entering the system and wreaking havoc on sensitive components such as pumps, valves, and cylinders.

Desiccant breathers also serve as effective barriers against dirt, dust, and other airborne particles that might otherwise find their way into the hydraulic fluid. By maintaining a clean and dry environment within the reservoir, these breathers significantly reduce the risk of contamination-related wear and tear, preserving the integrity of the fluid and improving your overall system performance.

With reduced moisture and contaminants, hydraulic systems equipped with desiccant breathers experience less corrosion, decreased oxidation, and minimized sludge formation. That means improved reliability, reduced maintenance costs, and an extended service life of all your hydraulic equipment.

Why TTI PowerBreathers™ are the Best Choice to Protect Your Hydraulic Systems

At Todd Technologies Inc. (TTI), we understand the importance of clean hydraulics and offer a wide range of higher quality (and longer lasting) desiccant breathers to meet the diverse needs of industrial applications.

PowerBreather™: Advancements and Design Features

Our PowerBreather™ unit stands as a significant advancement over OEM breathers and dust caps. Equipped with layered filter media, it effectively blocks the entrance of solid particles and oil mist into the breather, preventing particulate contamination that could cause accelerated wear on equipment surfaces. 

On top of that, the PowerBreather™ contains a bed of silica gel that removes harmful moisture from the incoming air. This not only protects the hydraulic system from corrosion but also keeps industrial equipment dry by drawing moisture from the inside of the equipment reservoir during shutdown or service.

Titan PowerBreather™: Extended Life and High Flow

TTI Titan PowerBreathers™ are the ideal choice for your large equipment and applications. With their extended life and high flow capabilities, they are designed to handle the demands of these rugged environments. 

Our standard model, which comes with check valves oriented both in and out, is ideal for intermittent use. Our non-check valve model, which offers no restriction, is great for continuous use. Last but not least, our SmartFlow™ model — which does require the use of our SmartFlow™ adapter — offers users up to double the service life with its breather protecting design. 

The Titan SmartFlow™ PowerBreather™ works by only handling incoming air to the system, allowing the SmartFlow™ adapter to handle all of the system’s exhalation. This protects the breather from oil mist and burping, overfills, and system upsets.

TitanBlock PowerBreather™: Enhanced Performance

To deliver superior filtration with higher efficiency and greater dirt loading capacity, we have developed the TitanBlock PowerBreather™ as a direct upgrade to Air Sentry’s® Guardian® series desiccant breathers. These breathers combine premier quality Power Gel with Dual Phase microglass 1-micron absolute media. 

The result is an enhanced filtration system that captures particulates and prevents moisture from entering the hydraulic system, ensuring superior performance and extended equipment life.

Rebuildable Stainless Steel PowerBreather™: Protection and Extended Service Life

In high-flow applications, where durability and extended service life are critical, our Rebuildable Stainless Steel PowerBreather™ offers exceptional protection. Constructed from stainless steel, it acts as a robust barrier against airborne particles and water molecules. 

By effectively removing contaminants, you not only extend the service life of equipment but also reduce maintenance costs, making it a valuable investment for hydraulic systems operating in demanding environments.

Operation and Active System Drying Process

During operation, the PowerBreather™ actively prevents particulates and moisture from entering the hydraulic system, ensuring clean and reliable performance. When the equipment is shut down, the silica gel in the breather continues an active system drying process, further reducing the risk of moisture accumulation. This process helps maintain a dry environment within the hydraulic system, minimizing the potential for corrosion and other damage.

Adapter Kits: Preventing Contamination

We also offer a wide variety of PowerBreather™ adapter kits. These kits include quick-connect fittings that facilitate easy connection and testing of hydraulic fluid and lubricants. Equipped with return and suction line capabilities, our adapter kits play a vital role in preventing the intrusion of moisture, dirt, foreign materials, and other contaminants. They are designed to ensure the cleanliness and reliability of totes, drums, gearboxes, and hydraulic tank applications.

Contact Us for Desiccant Breather Products and Accessories

Our range of high-quality desiccant breathers, including the advanced PowerBreather™ series, is designed and built right here in the U.S. to meet the diverse needs of industrial applications. By employing innovative features such as advanced filtration media, moisture removal capabilities, and rebuildable options, our desiccant breathers provide superior protection, extended service life, and reduced maintenance costs. To learn more about our desiccant breather products and accessories, contact us today!