SAFETY IN THE PLANT


TEMPERATURE TRANSFER T


Managers can take proactive steps to maintain their heat transfer fluids and HTF system; here we explain how


hermal fluid systems are often perceived as low maintenance because of their stability and reliability,


effectively operating a closed-loop system with minimal intervention. However, with rising operational costs, changing environmental regulations and increased competition, uptime and process efficiency are more critical factors than ever. That’s why manufacturers should take proactive steps to maintain their heat transfer fluids and HTF system, says Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid experts Global Heat Transfer. Thermal fluid systems typically


run well for many years with limited intervention. However, all thermal fluids degrade over time, and so a reactive maintenance strategy means that any degradation or build-up of contaminants may go unnoticed until it significantly impacts operations, leading to reduced efficiency and/or a drop in quality.


REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE Implementing a proactive thermal fluid maintenance strategy, such as Thermocare, tailored to the system’s specific needs, enables engineers to better understand and maintain their systems. Proactive maintenance can help improve uptime, conserve resources and extend the lifetime of fluid and equipment. By conducting an assessment of


existing practices and considering common failures or pain points, manufacturers can identify potential areas for improvement. The maintenance plan should include regular inspections of core components, preventative maintenance tasks, increasing staff knowledge and predictive analytics. By identifying potential issues during these inspections, engineers can intervene promptly. Proactive maintenance enhances


Adhering to


proactive fluid maintenance procedures can optimise performance


Global Heat Transfer’s Thermocare will help engineers better understand their systems


operational efficiency by preventing equipment failures and minimising unplanned downtime, allowing for smoother production processes and increased productivity. Beyond operational efficiency,


proactive maintenance promotes sustainable practices by reducing waste, emissions and energy consumption. Adhering to such maintenance procedures can optimise performance, extend equipment lifespan and reduce the regularity of thermal fluid changes, helping to reduce waste and conserve energy. Furthermore, by extending


equipment lifespan and optimising fluid performance, proactive maintenance helps manufacturers reduce long-term maintenance costs and improve overall profitability.


FLUID MAINTENANCE Regular fluid monitoring is a key part of proactive maintenance because once the thermal fluid enters the system, it is no longer visible. Sampling fluid when the system is closed, hot and circulating will help provide an accurate representation of what’s happening inside the system. Analysis of the fluid sample enables engineers to determine if there are


any immediate signs of degradation. Engineers can also track sample data over time to better identify trends in performance and contamination levels to better monitor fluid condition. By monitoring trends, engineers can plan maintenance, devising a plan for how to intervene, with options such as fluid dilution or filtration available to address changes in fluid condition as needed. Installing a filtration system that can remove solid carbon deposits or other contaminants can help improve the condition of the existing fluid and reduce wear on system components caused by contaminants. Remote condition monitoring


tools, such as Thermocare 24/7 Live Condition Monitoring, can further support thermal fluid management. Engineers can access real-time data from any location as they are tracking fluid condition. Maintenance engineers can receive alerts as soon as fluid condition changes, meaning they can address it quickly before a problem occurs.


For more information visit: www.globalhtf.com


www.engineerlive.com 39


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48