Wind Turbine Filter Element: The Ultimate Guide

Today, I want to show you how to choose the best wind turbine filter element.

A filter element that will ensure contamination free oil flows into gears and bearings for smooth and cost effective operation.

From the basic definition, benefits, main components, working principle to technical specification – today’s guide addresses all your concerns about wind turbine filter elements.

So, let’s get straight to it.

What is a Wind Turbine Filter Element?

Lets role out this guide by defining the meaning of a wind turbine filter element.

In simple terms, a wind turbine filter element is a critical element in the smooth operation of your turbine.

The turning of the wind turbines is much dependent on the gears and bearings which run on a tiny film of oil.

This small film plays a crucial role in ensuring that the gears and bearings operate efficiently.

Wind turbine filter element

For this to happen, the oil needs to be free of any contaminant that may affect the productivity of the bearings and gears.

It is at this point that filtration comes into play and for that to happen, you will need a wind turbine filter element.

Wind turbine gears – Photo courtesy: Power Engineering

It is therefore imperative to say that proper filtration of the oil of your turbine will significantly depend on the wind turbine filter element.

Why Install Wind Turbine Filter Elements

One of the frequent questions that you will come across is understanding the reasons for installing a wind turbine filter element in your turbine.

There are several reasons for mounting a filter element in your turbine, some of the main reasons include the following:

· For wind turbine oil filtration

The main job of the filter element is to remove any contaminant that is present in the turbine oil.

Allowing even a small amount of impurity to reach the oil stream can cause serious problems.

For instance, friction can occur between these impurities and vital components of your turbines leading to break down of these components.

This can lead to severe problems with your turbine as well as its performance.

Wind turbine filter element

However, a turbine filter element is there to avoid all these from occurring.

It does this by filtering the turbine oil thereby removing all the impurities that may cause problems to your turbine

And by the way, you can also consider portable oil filters.

Portable oil filter

· Wind turbine gearbox oil conditioning and monitoring

The gearbox of the wind turbine gearbox is significantly affected by the quality of oil that it uses when the wind turbine is running.

of oil depends on the quality of the filtration system in the wind turbine.

Wind turbine gearbox – Photo courtesy: Wind Power Engineering

To ensure that there is complete filtration of your oil, you need to ensure that you install a proper wind turbine filter element in your filter.

By installing an appropriate filter element, you will be able to remove all the contaminants from your oil.

By doing this, the gearbox will be able to function at an optimum level thereby ensuring proper functioning of your turbine.

· Reduce possible downtime in wind energy generation

Energy generation is vital when it comes to wind turbines.

Your turbines need to be in constant operation including minimizing any downtime that may occur to ensure maximum energy generation.

Wind power generation

One of the leading causes of turbine downtime is using oil that contains contaminants which causes breakdown to the gearbox and the bearings.

Breakdown of the gearbox and the bearings forces you to shut the turbine.

However, to minimize this downtime, you need to install a filter element on your wind turbine filter.

The filter element will remove all the contaminants from the oil thereby ensuring the smooth running of the gearbox and the bearings.

· Reduce premature component failure

Perhaps you may be wondering why your turbine components keep breaking down and the need to continuously replace them.

Wind turbine oil on gears

Well, the reason for this is the presence of contaminants on the oil that these components use.

What happens is that these contaminants either chemically or by mechanically reacts with your components.

This reduces the lifespan of these components thereby need for replacement.

The solution to this lies in you installing a filter element on your turbine which removes the contaminants from the oil.

This increases the lifespan of your components.

· Reduce operational costs and that of energy

Behind any equipment, the operational cost plays a crucial role in ensuring its effectiveness.

You need to ensure that you have an equipment whose operational cost is as low as possible while giving optimal output.

Wind power generation -Photo courtesy: Wind Power Engineering

You can achieve that on a wind turbine by installing a wind turbine filter element.

How will this minimize your operational cost?

Simple, by ensuring that there are no contaminants on the oil that the gearbox and bearings use when operating.

· Protect gearbox under worst working conditions

As we have explained above, oil ensures that your gearbox and the bearings can function correctly.

Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the oil is free of any contaminant.

Impurities have the effect of causing your gearbox to have different rotor loads which affect the efficiency of the turbine.

You can achieve that on a wind turbine by installing a wind turbine filter element.

How will this minimize your operational cost?

Simple, by ensuring that there are no contaminants on the oil that the gearbox and bearings use when operating.

· Protect gearbox under worst working conditions

As we have explained above, oil ensures that your gearbox and the bearings can function correctly.

Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the oil is free of any contaminant.

Impurities have the effect of causing your gearbox to have different rotor loads which affect the efficiency of the turbine.

Filtration process – Photo courtesy: Machinery and Lubrication

However, you can remove any contaminant present in your oil by installing a filter element for your turbine.

In short, it will turbine gears from varying rotor loads.

· Ingression of contaminants

Filtration of your oil is the primary purpose of your turbine filter.

Contaminants are the leading cause of malfunctioning of your turbine and such there is a need to remove them.

Wind turbine filter element – Photo courtesy: HYPRO

For instance, when pollutants find their way into your, they absorb temperature at a different rate.

Now the effect of this is that there will be an uneven increase in temperature on the bearing as well as the gearbox.

Once this happens, it will hurt the functionality of your turbine.

That is why you need to install a filter element on your turbine to ensure proper filtration of your oil.

Main Parts of Wind Turbine Filter Element

There are several advantages to understanding the different parts of a wind turbine filter element. For starters.

For starters, you will be able to know what these parts are and their role in making the filter elements function efficiently.

Also, you will be in a better position to know which component requires replacement in case of a breakdown.

Filter element

For these reasons, here is a look at these parts.

· Auto- pull Element removal tabs

These tabs exist to assist in safe extraction of the filter element when you open the filter housing.

This is crucial when you are replacing the filter element.

· O- ring seal

The o- ring seal is an outer round seal that is normally dark in color and of rubber material.

The function of this component is to restrain the contaminants from bypassing the filter element under normal operation.

· Center steel tube

This is the innermost component of your filter elements whose composition usually is metal.

It functions as a protective layer by offering the necessary support that the inner parts of the filter elements require.

This prevents the inner parts from collapsing.

· Perforated protective cage

At the top and bottom end of the filter element, you will find around protective cage.

The function of this cage is to offer stability to the supporting tube as well as the inner components of the filter element.

· Proprietary Cushion layer

The function of this component is to offer support for the element and protection when you are handling it during replacement and cleaning.

· Mesh layers

The mesh layer offers a flow channel for the oil which ensures there is uniform flow.

The mesh layer goes a long way in extending the life of the filter element thereby reducing the operating cost.

· Pleats

The function of these pleats is to hold the contaminants from your oil which ensures that the oil is clean.

The number of pleats depends on the thickness of your oil.

How Filter for Wind Turbines Works

With the knowledge of the components of a filter element, you can now go ahead and understand how this device works.

Even though it may appear complicated, the truth is that the working principle of this device is pretty simple.

Here is how it works.

The oil enters the filter through the bottom inlet flowing from the inside to the outside and into the filter element.

In the filter element, the creases hold back the contaminants available on the oil as it flows.

As it flows outside the filter element, the contaminants flow to the bottom of the filter element.

The process continues until when clogging occurs on the creases of the filter element.

Clogging causes a drop in pressure of the oil which in turn affects the quality of filtration of your oil.

When this happens, you need to either clean up your filter element or with time; you will have to replace it with a new one.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Wind Turbine Filter Elements

Let’s agree that you cannot just walk int the market and select any filter element for your wind turbine.

Whichever filter element that you choose, you need to ensure that it perfectly fits your wind turbine and that it functions efficiently.

So, what are these factors that you need to consider when selecting a filter element for your wind turbine?

Turbine oil filter system

Here are the answers to this question.

1) Degree of filtration

We must agree that in what you will find in the market are different filter elements with varying capabilities of filtration.

The choice of which filter element will depend on the level of filtration that you want for your turbine.

The degree of filtration of your turbine filter depends on the optimum working level of your turbine.

This means that if you want finer filtration, you will have to pick a filter element that has finer mesh.

A proper filter element for your turbine is one whose degree of filtration enables your turbine to work efficiently and effectively.

2) Maintain low-pressure drop

One thing that you need to avoid is allowing the pressure of the oil to drop.

No matter what, the pressure needs to be constant to ensure that the turbine, as well as the gear, works efficiently.

One of the ways that you can maintain the pressure of the oil is by selecting a turbine filter element that has the right pressure ratings.

3) Wind turbine filter element construction

What is the design of the filter element?

This is a key consideration when selecting a filter element for your turbine.

The design of your filter element is generally regarding the height, the length, and the width.

These dimensions need to fit the space on your filter.

Therefore, the design of the filter element is a consideration for selecting a filter element for your filter.

4) Efficiency ISO 16889

Not all the wind turbine filter elements will offer the desired effect that you need for your turbine.

There are some brands which are not that effective in ensuring that your turbine works efficiently.

As such, efficiency needs to be a factor of consideration when selecting a wind turbine filter element for your turbine.

As a basic rule, ensure that the effectiveness of your turbine filter element is ISO 16889: Beta >1000 certified.

Also, you need to ensure that its efficiency is at least 99.9% of the total flow of the oil in the turbine.

5) Quality standards

There are many turbine filter elements in the market. However, not all these filter elements meet international standards.

You, therefore, need to be very careful when selecting a filter element for your turbine.

Always ensure that the filter element that you select for your turbine filter meets the relevant quality standards.

This will ensure that the filter element that you choose offers you durable and quality service.

6) Fluid compatibility

Another critical element of your consideration when selecting a wind turbine filter element is checking on the compatibility of your fluid.

As you may know, filters and by extension filter elements have a wide range of applications.

As such, you have different types of filter elements such as an air filter element, the oil filter element, and water filter element.

You, therefore, need to pick a filter element that will be compatible with the filter of your turbine.

Also, ensure that the oil of your turbine is compatible with your filter element.

This is concerning the viscosity of the fluid.

7) Working temperature range

Your choice of filter element needs to fit the temperature range of your turbine.

The gear and the turbine frequently generate heat during operation which varies depending on the size of the turbine.

The composition of the filter element usually are materials which can easily get damaged when exposed to a temperature above a given limit.

You, therefore, need to ensure that you select a filter element that can work properly on your turbine filter.

Typically, there is a label indicating the range of the temperature that a given filter element can handle.

8) Working pressure range

The flow of the oil in your turbine filter is normally at a given pressure which ensures that there is proper filtration of your oil.

This pressure can lead to tearing of your filter element due to the force.

It is, therefore, necessary that you select a filter element that can withstand the pressure of the oil during filtration.

Different filter elements have different pressure range which you can check on the filter element.

To ensure compatibility, the pressure range of the filter and that of the filter element needs to be the same.

Wind Turbine Filter Element Replacement

With time, your filter element attracts all forms of impurities present in your oil clogging it up.

Even if you clean it up, the efficiency of its working keeps deteriorating.

At some point, impurities will find their way into crucial parts of your engine and by extension your turbine.

If this persists, the productivity of your engine is much affected.

To prevent this, you need to replace the filter element of your turbine filter once it gets clogged up.

Parts of wind turbine – Photo courtesy: London Array

Several signs can indicate that you need to replace the turbine filter element.

They include the following:

· Cracking of the end caps

The ends of your filter are of plastic which means they are vulnerable to any chemical reaction that may occur within the filter.

When the reaction takes place, these ends start cracking leading to your filter element becoming ineffective.

When you start noticing the cracks, it is a higher time you replace your filter element

· The creases flatten out

Another indication that its time that you replace the filter element of your turbine is when the creases flatten out.

The primary cause of this flattening is clogging of the filter element which makes filtration ineffective.

To maximize filtration, always ensure that you replace the filter element once you notice flattening of the creases.

· The reduced oil flow rate

When the flow rate of your oil slows down, then it is time that you replace your filter element.

Clogging of the filter element is the leading cause for this which prevents the oil from flowing.

Applications of Wind Turbine Filter Element

There are several areas where a wind turbine filter element plays a crucial role in your turbine.

You need to understand these areas to maximize the efficiency of your turbine.

Wind turbine – Photo courtesy: GLOBE CORE

For this reason, here is a look at the main areas where you can apply your filter element on your wind turbine.

Take a look.

· Wind power gears

The function of the wind power gear is to accelerate the energy production of your turbine.

To ensure efficiency, you need to apply oil on the gear of the turbine.

However, you need to ensure that the oil is free of any contaminants.

That is where the application of a wind turbine filter element comes in.

· Wind power filter elements

Wind power filter element plays an essential role in ensuring filtration of your oil.

However, the core function of filtration takes place in the filtration element of your filter.

You, therefore, need to ensure that you have installed a proper filter element in your filter for effective filtration to take place.

· Gearbox lubrication return lines

Lubrication is a key element of the gearbox of a wind turbine since it allows for the movement of the various parts.

For lubrication to occur, you need to have oil which is contaminant free.

This can only occur through the use of a filter element which removes all the contaminants from the oil.

· Wind turbine brake lines

You can also apply a wind turbine filter element to the turbine brake lines.

These lines are crucial in energy generation.

As such, you need to ensure that the oil that you use for lubrication is free of impurities.

The best way of removing these impurities is by using a filter element.

· Onshore and Offshore Wind Turbines

You will find a great deal of application of turbines filter elements in Onshore and Offshore wind turbines.

These filter elements are used to filter fluids such as air and oil in your filter ensuring effective energy generation of the wind turbines.

FilSon Filters Wind Turbine Filter Element Solution

If you are looking for a filter element provider for your turbine, look no further than Filson Manufacturers.

FilSon Filters manufacturers are the leading manufacturer of quality and durable wind turbine filter elements.

Allow me to explain who we are.

Turbine oil filter element

We are a Chinese based company that has been in the industry for over 15 years.

Our products include a wide range of filter housing, filter elements and filtration systems for various applications.

Through the wind turbine filter element manufacturing process, we ensure that we adhere to the highest quality standards leading to quality products.

Our skilled production team, as well as the manufacturing equipment, can manufacture top demand turbine filter elements at short notice.

We also customize your wind turbine filter element according to your specifications which ensures that you always get what bargain.

We guarantee you of the durability of our wind filter element as we they offer quality and reliable service.

Get in touch with us today for an ultimate experience of quality wind turbine filter element solutions for your turbine.

Conclusion

In summary, selecting the correct filter element for your wind turbine plays a pivotal point in ensuring the efficiency of your wind turbine.

Most filter elements in the markets appear similar.

However, a slight difference might exist between the filter element and the filter.

This may cause your filter element nit to function correctly.

The best way to select the right filter element for your turbine is by engaging a reputable manufacturer or supplier.

At Filson, we guarantee you quality and reliable wind turbine filter elements that will offer you service for a long time.

Get in touch with us today and let us assist you in your wind energy generation vision.