The correct method for cleaning contaminants from hydraulic valves
2016-04-14
Many users encounter few major issues when operating hydraulic valves, but they often feel at a loss when it comes to subsequent maintenance and cleaning. Here, we’ll examine the technical aspects of cleaning hydraulic valves. When cleaning, keep the following points in mind: (1) For deposits that have been present in the valve for a long time and are firmly adhered, take care not to scratch the mating surfaces during removal. Many users encounter few major issues when operating hydraulic valves, but they often feel at a loss when it comes to subsequent maintenance and cleaning. Here, we’ll examine the technical aspects of cleaning hydraulic valves. When cleaning, keep the following points in mind: (1) For deposits that have been present in the valve for a long time and are firmly adhered, take care not to
Many users encounter few major issues when operating hydraulic valves, but often feel at a loss when it comes to subsequent maintenance and cleaning. Here, we’ll examine the key technical considerations for cleaning hydraulic valves. When performing cleaning, please keep the following points in mind:
(1) For contaminants that have been deposited inside hydraulic valves for a long time and are firmly adhered, care must be taken during cleaning to avoid scratching the mating surfaces. Many users encounter few major issues when initially operating hydraulic valves, but they often feel at a loss when it comes to subsequent maintenance and cleaning. Below, we will examine the technical aspects of hydraulic valve cleaning.
When cleaning, please note the following points:
(1) For contaminants that have been deposited in hydraulic valves for an extended period and are firmly adhered, take care not to scratch the mating surfaces during cleaning.
(2) Observe safety precautions when heating. Some inorganic cleaning solutions are toxic; their vapors can cause poisoning upon inhalation, so they should be used with caution. Organic cleaning solutions are flammable, so fire‑prevention measures must be observed.
(3) When selecting a cleaning solution, pay attention to its corrosivity to prevent corrosion of the valve body.
(4) After cleaning, parts must be properly stored to prevent rusting or recontamination. (5) Assembled hydraulic valves may only be put into service after passing the required tests.
Common cleaning processes include:
(1) Disassembly.
Although most components of a hydraulic valve are fastened together with bolts, the valve is designed for non‑disassembly. Without specialized equipment or technical expertise, attempting to disassemble it by force can easily damage the valve. Therefore, before disassembly, it is essential to understand the valve’s structure and the connection methods between its parts, and to document the relative positions of all components during the process.
(2) Inspection and cleaning.
Inspect the valve body, valve spool, and other components for accumulated deposits, and remove localized contaminants using cotton yarn, a brush, or a non-metallic scraper, taking care not to damage the working surfaces.
(3) Rough washing.
Place the valve body, spool, and other components on the tray inside the cleaning tank, then heat and soak them. Introduce compressed air into the bottom of the cleaning tank; the resulting bubble agitation helps remove residual contaminants. Where feasible, ultrasonic cleaning may be employed.
(4) Precision cleaning.
Perform high-pressure localized cleaning with a cleaning solution, followed by hot-air drying. Enterprises with the necessary resources may use commercially available detergents; in certain applications, organic solvents such as diesel or gasoline may also be employed.
(5) Assembly.
Assemble according to the hydraulic valve assembly diagram or the component‑assembly relationships documented during disassembly. Exercise caution during assembly to avoid damaging any parts. The original sealing materials are prone to damage during disassembly and should be replaced during reassembly.
Due to variations in maintenance expertise and equipment levels across different enterprises, the quality of maintenance can vary significantly. For companies with inadequate maintenance equipment and technical capabilities, even if a hydraulic system has been restored to its original condition through repair, it is still essential to strengthen monitoring and proactively procure spare parts to address unexpected failures.
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