Over the Christmas vacation it was mentioned that a fire occurred on one of our country’s oil platforms. Fortunately this was not a major incident and the fire was quickly contained. However, these are real issues that can occur and lead to disastrous situations. In this regard, we would like to briefly speak about Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluids (FRHF).
Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluid
Lubricants used in industrial equipment have many different functions. These include lubrication, corrosion protection, sealing and contaminants removal as well as the dissipation of heat from hot zones.
In areas where lubricants are used in proximity to hot surfaces or ignition sources it is important that the product in use is designed to mitigate the potential risks involved. This is where lubricants called fire-resistant fluids are put into service.
Even though most oil-based hydraulic fluids have relatively high flash/fire points (>300° F), small leaks in a high-pressure system can produce a finely atomized spray that can travel significant distances. If an ignition source is encountered, complete ignition of the spray envelope can occur. The alternative is to use a hydraulic fluid that eliminates or significantly reduces this hazard. In these application a fire-resistant hydraulic fluids (FRHFs) is needed.
Industries where these fire-resistant fluids are recommended:
- Foundries (furnace controls, moulding and coring machines)
- Metalworking (furnace controls, rolling mills, melt casting)
- Power plants (electrohydraulic control systems and steam/gas turbines) etc.
The Solution
Water glycol – an invert emulsion constitute the major fluid types of water-containing products. Water glycol is a true solution of a glycol (such as ethylene glycol) in water, along with a variety of additives to impart viscosity, corrosion protection, and anti-wear properties. A shear-stable thickener, which has improved over the years, represents the novel technology aspect of the fluid. Water glycol contains approximately 40% water. Despite a number of drawbacks, water glycol is the dominant FRHF on the market today and is used in a wide variety of applications.
Tribotech markets the CITGO FR WG-40 XD. This is a fire resistant fluid which was in use in all major hydraulic applications at the ArcelorMittal Steel plant.
CITGO FR WG-40XD ® HYDRAULIC FLUID
CITGO FR WG-40XD Hydraulic Fluid is a premium water-glycol type fire-resistant fluid de-signed to provide excellent performance in hydraulic systems requiring fire resistance such as those found in steel industry operations. CITGO FR WG-40XD Hydraulic Fluid is specially formulated to provide excellent service over a wide range of operating conditions. It is particularly effective in demanding steel industry applications.
CITGO FR WG-40XD Hydraulic Fluid may be used in most types of hydraulic systems requiring fire resistance. Applications include steel mills, die casting and power transmission plants. CITGO FR WG-40XD is recommended in fire resistant hydraulic systems operating with Eaton/Vickers, Parker/ Denison, Rexroth and other vane and piston pumps.
