Dirty coolant can cause a lot of issues including damage to the machines, affecting the final product quality, and endangering the health of workers on the shop floor. Maintaining the quality of the coolant is thus not an option but an obligation for businesses. While proper storage and right usage play a role in maintaining the coolant quality, considering other factors including application requirements, water quality and the nature of the coolant are critical to maintaining the coolant quality and increasing its lifespan.
Consider these factors to maintain the coolant quality and extend coolant life
Nature and level of contamination
When a coolant is newly introduced into a system, it works smoothly for up to 2-3 months before the contamination begins to make a noticeable appearance. Impurities such as oil and metal parts caught in the coolant begin to affect the coolant quality.
Here, it is important to finetune your coolant filtration machinery as per the desired level of coolant purity. If the contamination includes just oil and grease, oil skimmers could yield the desired level of coolant purity. However, if impurities such as ferrous particles, dust, and other solid impurities are present, a mix of magnetic separators, paper band filters, and other coolant filtration mechanisms must be employed.
Quality of water
A complete coolant solution is made up of 3%-5% of the coolant, and 95% water. The quality of water changes as per its source, and as per the seasons. The quality and hardness of the water in monsoon can differ from that in summer.
Additives are included in the coolant to combat these issues, and it is important to monitor and maintain the proper level of coolant concentration.
The efficiency of the coolant
Ra value: Ra value and concentration of the coolant should be checked regularly. The Ra valve is reserve alkalinity of the coolant. It denotes the effectiveness of the coolant at the given moment.
Ri: Ri is the refraction index of the coolant. It denotes how much coolant is left to be used.
Salts: Monitor the salts such as sulfates, and chlorides in the coolant and moderate their presence as necessary.
Detailed tests for measuring these parameters can be carried out in labs. However, here it is important to measure these parameters every day. This can be done by using specific measurement kits available in the open market. Ra valve can also be gauged using nitration method, and bacteria can be monitored using special strips.
Conclusion
Factors such s water quality combined with seasonal and environmental changes impact the coolant quality. Issues such as smell, or rust issues in monsoon are addressed by adding coolants. However, alongside these measures, proper coolant filtration is the key to maintain the desired coolant concentration. Proper filtration can also extend the life of the coolant by 1-3 years.