Volume 2, Issue 1
March 2005
The Benefits of Hot Oil Filtration
Improving service life of heat transfer fluids —
Key Points in this Issue: and your equipment.
■ Heat transfer fluids degrade
primarily by thermal cracking Organic heat transfer fluids degrade over time due to thermal cracking,
and oxidation. oxidation and contamination. The by-products of degradation are sludge
and coke caused by carbon formation. Contaminates can also include
■ 100 mesh strainers are installed dirt, sand, dust, mill scale, and slag from piping that accumulate during
on the pump suction line to protect down-time maintenance or from installation.
and reduce wear on the pump.
One of the standard means of filtration in a hot oil system is to have a
■ Inline filters should be used Y type or basket strainer before the system pump. Typically it is steel
only with positive displacement or stainless steel 100 mesh. These are designed to protect the pump and
pump (gear). possibly the valve or flow meter. The strainer should be cleaned regularly
■ Side stream filtration is to prevent pump cavitation which can cause mechanical seal failure.
recommended for systems with Filtration Systems
centrifugal pumps. Many system problems cause the oil to degrade prematurely, but fluid life
■ For maximum filtration performance can be increased by installing a side stream or in-line filtration system.
the optimal flow rate should be In-line filters should be used only with positive displacement pumps (gear).
10% of entire system. You should never install an in-line filter on a system that uses a centrifugal
■ Thorough filtration of the fluid pump. A second filter in parallel (duplex) can be installed in place of the manual
should occur when Pentane bypass in critical applications such as high temperature electric systems.
Insolubles in your system reach Side stream configuration is recommended for systems with centrifugal
.4 wt% or more. pumps. The optimal flow rate through a side stream filter is 10% of full
■ Remember to conduct fluid analysis system flow. Minimum recommended flow rate is 3%.
on your heat transfer fluid on an Typical filters consist of a metal housing, called a canister, with a fiberglass
annual basis or sooner if you think element, called a filter or cartridge. It is recommended for more severely
you are having problems. contaminated systems to start with a 100 micron cartridge and over time
work down to a 5 to 10 micron cartridge. Cartridges are generally available
in sizes ranging from 5 to 100 microns.
The inlet of the filter is installed close to the discharge side of the pump.
The heat transfer fluid is then diverted to the filter by drawing off the
800-225-7440 existing pipe, for maximum performance 10% of the stream. The fluid
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Continued on page 2
MultiTherm® Hot Oil The Benefits of Hot Oil Filtration
Filtration Systems Continued from page 1
is cleaned through the filter and then piped back in downstream or to the
MultiTherm® now can assist you with your suction side of the existing pump. Positive shut-off ball valves should be
hot oil filtration needs. installed on both sides of the filter to allow for cleaning without shutting
MultiTherm® can lease or design a filtration down the entire system.
system to meet your specific thermal fluid
Benefits of Filtration
system requirements to handle hot oil up
■ Removal of particulates that can degrade the oil
to 750° F. If required an additional pump
can be added to handle large side-stream ■ Maintains viscosity of fluid longer by reducing sludge build-up
system flows to ensure system pressure. ■ Maintains thermal efficiency of system longer and reduces energy cost
MultiTherm® Hot Oil Filtration Systems ■ Extends oil life
offer the following: ■ Reduced maintenance costs by protecting pumps and valves
■ Swing bolts and eye nuts for easy from contaminates
opening cartridge change out For additional information on how MultiTherm can help with thermal fluid
■ Insulated filter casing
filtration systems or for technical support from the MultiTherm Tech Team
■ Drain valve
contact us at 800-225-7440.
■ Vented and gasketed lids
MultiTherm FF-1® Flushing Fluid
MultiTherm’s specially formulated flushing fluid helps ensure maximum
efficiency by cleaning out heat transfer systems during:
■ Start-up — to remove loose materials left in lines and equipment
along with oil and some preservative coatings.
■ General Maintenance — for removing particulate matter and used
heat transfer fluid from system prior to recharge or changeover
to another fluid.
MultiTherm FF-1® Flushing Fluid can be used during operation for up to 3
days at operating temperatures as high as 550° F resulting in minimal
Do you want it Electronically? downtime to your operation.
These newsletters are also available via e-mail.
If you would like to receive them electronically,
contact us at 800-225-7440 or drop us an Superior Communication and Service
e-mail at TechInfo@[Link]. Please
include your name, company, address, phone
numbers and e-mail address. For additional information on our new filtration systems, any of our Non-Toxic,
Thanks and we hope you find these Non-Hazardous MultiTherm® Heat Transfer Fluids or Fluid Analysis services,
newsletters beneficial. please contact MultiTherm at 800-225-7440.
The MultiTherm LLC has been a leading supplier of efficient, non-hazardous Heat Transfer
Fluids since 1977. Within a temperature range of -170°F (-112°C) to 650°F (343°C), the
3223 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355 company can successfully and economically accommodate a customer’s heating or
Phone: 610-408-8361 • Fax: 610-408-8365 cooling requirements however exacting they may be. Further, MultiTherm provides
Email: techinfo@[Link] troubleshooting help and a fluid analysis service to determine the physical and chemical
[Link] condition of the fluid.
