With the growing trend for diesel-fuelled equipment, industrial equipment supplier BMG has recognised a demand for the supply of cleaner, non-contaminated diesel and lubricant oils, says BMG fluid technology division low pressure business unit manager Willie Lamprecht.

BMG’s fluid technology division provides essential filtration, separation and purification solutions that improve operational efficiencies for customers in all sectors. These industries include fuel distribution, offshore and aviation services, mining, power generation, agriculture and earthmoving, as well as chemicals, petrochemicals and military.

“The control and prevention of contamination of fluids is critical for optimum performance, improved reliability and extended service life of machinery, equipment and vehicles.”

BMG is concerned that fluid maintenance is being neglected in the industry and works with its customers to make sure they avoid the negative consequences of using contaminated fuel and lubricant oil. The main cause of contamination in diesel and lubricant oils, is water and dirt ingress. Foreign materials encourage the culture of bacteria, which feed on hydrocarbons and degrade fuel quality, he explains.

“Our customers understand that without the implementation of a structured control and contamination prevention programme, premature equipment failure is likely to occur, resulting in unnecessary downtime and costly replacement of parts.”

BMG filtration systems use advanced technology to ensure fluids – including water, fuels and lubricant oil – are within the required cleanliness standards. These systems comprise auto accessories importer and distributor OMTEC ECO’s Blue Filters and FG desiccant breathers.

A growing area of our filtration services is in bulk fuel filtration. Self-bunded tanks, which are used on fuel farms, are fitted with BMG’s OMTEC spin-on filters, that have been specially designed for installation in the pumping compartment, Lamprecht adds.

“These fuel farms are useful to ensure that equipment that uses fuel from the farms is filled with good quality fuel. This results in longer service life for mobile equipment and substantial cost savings. The disadvantages of burning contaminated fuel include damage to equipment, which needs more regular replacement and clogging of filters that causes downtime.”

BMG’s OMTEC ECO spin-on elements ensure quick, effortless and efficient servicing of the fuel filtration system, without the need for specialised tooling, lifting equipment or elevated work platforms. With this system, filter media have greater protection from environmental contamination during installation and maintenance, than conventional cartridge style elements, he says.

“Our ECO spin-on elements, which consist of three spin-on cartridges and water-repellent cartridges, offer 3-6μg ratings and a working pressure of 24 bar. This range is suitable for efficient filtration and water absorption in all diesel fuels and is used largely by transport companies and in mobile equipment, in mining machines and any machine burning diesel for energy.”

BMG’s filtration product range also encompasses FG desiccant breathers that are designed to protect lubricants and machines from damage caused by moisture and the ingress of particles.

The FG breather replaces conventional dust caps or breathers often found on new equipment. When contaminated air enters the top of the breather, it passes through layered filter media, blocking particles from entering the breather, thus preventing wear to equipment surfaces. The filtered air passes through a bed of silica gel, which effectively removes moisture. Silica keeps the equipment dry by attracting moisture from inside the equipment reservoir during service or shutdown, he elaborates.

FG desiccant breathers have an enlarged housing, which ensures up to 20% more absorption of moisture than conventional breathers. The centre tube is constructed from a robust nylon material, providing rigidity to the element, and allowing an even air flow through the silica gel. For additional system protection, secondary filter media prevent any possible migration of silica dust.

“Breathers are suitable for use in hydraulic units, where there are high humidity and temperature fluctuations. The normal hazards of condensation - rapid ageing of hydraulic oil, degradation of additives and corrosion - are prevented. “

In addition, BMG supplies FG coalescer filters, which are used in the fuel line for the efficient operation of marine diesel engines, as well as air breather filters with housings made of non-corrosive material for high efficiency and extended service life. Low pressure filters for modern hydraulic systems are fitted with glass fibre premium select filter elements, with high differential pressure stability and dirt holding capacity. These modular low-pressure filters ensure a minimal pressure drop through the optimal flow design, he illustrates.

BMG’s fluid technology services include solutions for fuel and industrial filtration systems, hydraulics and pneumatics, lubrication, hydraulic hose and fittings, as well as instrumentation, pumps and industrial valves.

Through BMG’s specialist skills and a dependable stockholding of components, the company can meet high demand from customers for dependable filtrations services, throughout the African continent, he concludes.