What Is Oil Mist Eliminator?
An Oil Mist Eliminator is a device designed to extract the lubricating oil used in metal processing by machine tools. This oil often becomes particulate due to high-speed operation. The device then condenses and discharges the graded oil into an oil outlet, subsequently releasing clean air into the external environment. In the field, it is commonly referred to as a “mist collector.”
Oil mist is harmful to the human body if it gets in the eyes or enters the respiratory tract. It can also create “haze” in the factory, causing poor visibility.
Uses of Oil Mist Eliminator
Oil Mist Eliminators are usually compact and mounted overhead on machine tools, while larger collectors are mounted horizontally on the machine.
The typical use of oil mist removers is to suck up the mist generated by the machine, remove the oil with a filter, and send clean air into the factory.
The filter naturally becomes dirty with oil, so periodic filter cleaning is required. In some cases, the filter itself is not needed, as some types of equipment use a filterless structure.
Principle of Oil Mist Eliminator
There are three main types of Oil Mist Eliminators: the filter method, which removes oil by sucking the aspirated mist through a filter, the electric method, which removes oil by using electrodes attached to the oil by electrostatic force, and the “centrifugal separation type,” in which a disc inside the collector is rotated at high speed and oil is separated by centrifugal force.
1. Filter-Type Oil Mist Eliminator
The filter type Oil Mist Eliminator is characterized by its simple structure, which makes it inexpensive to install. Due to its simple structure, it can be installed on top of the machine, thus taking up less space.
2. Electric Oil Mist Eliminator
Electric Oil Mist Eliminator, on the other hand, is complicated and expensive, but it is filterless and does not require filter replacement. Therefore, it does not generate industrial waste and is easy to maintain. However, because it uses high voltage, it must be handled with care.
3. Centrifugal Oil Mist Eliminator
Centrifugal Oil Mist Eliminator is inexpensive and easy to maintain because its structure is simple and filter-less, just like the filter type. The disadvantage is that it cannot capture particles smaller than 1 µm.