Regarding the switch for the oil cooler
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What should be noted when switching to the oil cooler during normal air separation operation? Thank you all for your advice
First, supply water, then slowly open the backup oil cooling inlet valve; once the oil pipe is filled, slowly open the outlet valve. Finally, close the inlet and outlet valves of the operating oil cooling system. Of course, if there are enough people, two persons can work together to complete this process. Pay attention to maintaining stable oil pressure~~
Air compressor? Is it still the product compressor? Increase the oil supply pressure appropriately, open the parallel valve of the oil cooler (if some manufacturers are equipped with an oil filling valve, open that as well). Slightly open the exhaust valve of the backup cooler to prevent shutdowns caused by large fluctuations in oil supply pressure. Start the oil filling process; use a sight glass to confirm that exhaust is complete, then close the exhaust valve. Switching has been attempted for product compressors; however, it has not been tried for air compressors without reservoirs
Thank you for the advice, but how can we ensure stable oil pressure? Will it affect the operation of the unit?
Generally, switching does not affect the oil pressure, but it’s essential to ensure that the valves are switched correctly~~ There is an interlock in place when the oil pressure is too low; consult the process engineers~~
There’s no need to worry about this. Just be careful when cutting: fill it with oil first, then close the return valve, keeping the filling valve open, and proceed with the cutting. If the filling valve is closed, the high pressure difference may make cutting more difficult; close the filling valve only after cutting is complete
Which brand is the compressor of the original poster’s unit? Typical oil-cooling switching valves are three-way valves, just like oil filters; that is, at any given valve position, one of the inlet and outlet valves for the two coolers must be open while the other is closed. They are inherently safe switching valves. As long as you conduct a proper inspection of the water circuit of the cooler to be put into use before switching, pre-pressurizing the oil circuit is sufficient!
Key points: 1. The oil filling valve and the backup oil-cooled exhaust valve usually have a small diameter, so they can be opened wide with confidence; it’s just necessary to do it slowly； 2. The backup oil-cooled exhaust valve must be fully opened; switching can be done only when oil return is visible through the sight glass ； 3. The pressure of the standby oil cooling system and the operating oil cooling system must be equal in order to switch; otherwise, the switching valve cannot be moved ； 4. We are an oil station for the entire compression unit, including the turbine; the oil cooling system has been switched multiple times without any problems occurring ；