Protecting Servo Valves with Proper Oil Filtration in Continuous Casting

In continuous casting lines, hydraulic oil cleanliness directly affects uptime, slab quality, and equipment life. Valves, servo systems, and hydraulic cylinders operate under high load and high temperature. Once oil contamination goes out of control, failures happen fast.

The solution isn’t frequent oil changes — it’s effective, continuous oil filtration.

ZYD Transformer Oil Purifier(Double-Stage )

Key Problems in Continuous Casting Hydraulic Systems


In real production environments, hydraulic oil contamination mainly comes from:

Metal particles from pumps, valves, and cylinders

Scale and dust from high-temperature casting areas

Water ingress from cooling systems and condensation

Oxidation byproducts caused by heat and long oil cycles

Without proper filtration, these contaminants lead to:

Sticking or failed servo valves

Unstable mold oscillation

Increased hydraulic leakage

Unplanned shutdowns

Practical Filtration Solution


 

1. Offline (Kidney Loop) Filtration — Core Setup


Offline filtration units work independently from the main hydraulic circuit, allowing continuous cleaning without stopping production.

Recommended configuration:

High-efficiency depth filters (β ≥ 200)

Fine filtration rating: 3–5 μm

24/7 circulation, even during downtime

This setup steadily reduces particle concentration and keeps oil cleanliness within target ISO codes.

2. Water Removal and Dehydration


Water is one of the most damaging contaminants in continuous casting lines.

Effective solutions include:

Vacuum dehydration units for free and dissolved water

Water-absorbing filter elements for quick moisture control

Target moisture level: below 500 ppm (or as specified by OEM).

3. High-Temperature & High-Flow Adaptation


Filtration systems must handle:

High oil temperature

Continuous operation

Large oil volumes

Key design points:

Heat-resistant seals and filter media

Stable flow under viscosity changes

Minimal pressure fluctuation

4. Clean Oil Maintenance, Not Oil Replacement


A proper filtration system allows:

Extended oil service life

Reduced oil consumption

Lower maintenance costs

In many casting plants, oil life can be extended by 2–4 times with stable cleanliness control.

Recommended Cleanliness Targets


 

 



















Component Suggested ISO Cleanliness
Servo valves ISO 15/13/10 or better
Proportional valves ISO 16/14/11
General hydraulics ISO 17/15/12

Maintaining these levels significantly reduces failure rates in continuous casting operations.

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