Last week we covered the differences between the ISO16889 Filter Test Procedure and the DFE Filter Test Procedure. This week we illustrate the difference between elements engineered to retain particles during dynamic flow conditions and those that are engineered only to pass the ISO16889 test. (Looking for previous posts? Find parts one, two and four.)
Filter A2 was tested at a constant flow rate and maintained a steady efficiency throughout the test. Filter A1 was cycled between max rated flow rate and half of rated flow with a duty cycle consistent with that of a hydraulic system. The downstream counts for Filter A1 varied and were highest during changes from low flow to high flow.
The peaks represent counts taken during flow change and the valleys represent counts taken after each flow change. The alternating high peaks represent counts taken during changes from low flow to high flow. As the amount of contaminant captured by Filter A1 increased, the downstream counts increased most dramatically during the flow changes from low to high. Filter element A1, not properly designed to retain previously captured contaminant during dynamic system conditions, can become a dangerous source of contamination as it captures and then releases concentrated clouds of contaminated fluid.
Figure 3 shows the particle counter raw data ( top - upstream, bottom - downstream) for Element A1 before a change from low flow to high flow and Figure 4 shows the particle counter data for Element A1 during a change from low flow to high flow.
The downstream particle count trace during the change reveals a much higher quantity of smaller particles and larger particles that did not pass the element before the dynamic system condition.
This phenomenon can best be described as “contaminant unloading”. As the filter element captures more dirt, greater amounts may be released back into the system that it is installed to protect when the element is subjected to a dynamic flow condition and change in differential pressure across the element.
Unloading may also occur when the flow rate changes from high flow to low flow, represented by the alternating smaller peaks in Figure 3. The filter element typically recovers shortly after the dynamic condition, but highly contaminated clouds of fluid from contaminant unloading can cause severe component damage and unreliable system performance.
Figure 5 compares the performance of two identical Hy-Pro filter elements designed and developed per the DFE multi-pass test method. All Hy-Pro elements that utilize the G8 or higher media carry the Hy-Pro DFE rating.
Although the contaminant unloading effect is still evident, the unloading is insignificant as filter element Hy-Pro 1, tested per DFE, performed true to its ISO16889 multi-pass rating of β7[c] > 1000 even during dynamic flow conditions.
Figure 6 compares the performance of filter Element A1 and Hy-Pro 1 (DFE rated). Both elements demonstrated excellent particle capture performance during the ISO16889 and DFE testing.
The DFE rated Hy-Pro element yielded much more stable particle counts downstream of the element and more consistent efficiency during the dynamic flow conditions. Improving particle retention results in more predictable fluid cleanliness levels and a system that can continually operate below the ISO cleanliness code limit.