Hydraulic industrial equipment is so prevalent that it often goes unnoticed. In fact, we encounter the advantages of hydraulic systems daily. Their reliability makes them essential tools across various industries that impact our everyday lives.
Let’s take a moment to explore how hydraulic industrial equipment is utilized in some of the major industries we depend on every day.
Construction
Working in construction is challenging, involving the handling of heavy materials that need to be moved, aligned, and assembled. Anyone with construction experience will attest to the physical demands of the job.
This is one reason hydraulic equipment is commonly used on construction sites. From jackhammers to bulldozers, many machines rely on hydraulic systems to operate.
Consider the task of moving a massive boulder to clear a site for a house. It’s not something you can simply push or roll out of the way. Hydraulic systems provide immense power in a compact form, which is why they are favored in construction equipment.
Landscaping
Dirt can be incredibly heavy. For example, “one cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 pounds, while the same soil can weigh around 3,000 pounds when saturated” with water.
Landscapers deal with substantial amounts of dirt as part of their work. Tasks like regrading a backyard require not just the effort to transport dirt but also the challenge of spreading it where needed. Typically, a dump truck is used to haul the dirt, utilizing a hydraulic pump to lift the box bed.
Skid steer loaders are frequently employed to move large quantities of dirt, mulch, gravel, and other landscaping materials, demonstrating another application of hydraulic industrial equipment.
Automotive
Hydraulic systems play a vital role in the automotive industry, both in vehicle production and in the small hydraulic systems that support everyday vehicle functions.
The most obvious hydraulic system in your car is the braking system. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid generates pressure that activates the brakes on your wheels. Hydraulics are also utilized in various pumps and motors throughout the vehicle.
Moreover, Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic systems are integral to the machinery that assembles cars. Metal stamping is a common method used to shape many components in vehicle production, while hydraulic cylinders are also widely used in automotive manufacturing.
Aerospace
Similar to the automotive sector, hydraulics are employed in both airplane production and the machinery that powers them.
These systems are valued for their reliability, providing significant pressure with minimal hydraulic fluid. This capability is essential for critical functions in aircraft.
Hydraulic equipment is used in landing gears, power-assisted brakes, and in the machinery that fabricates various parts for airplanes.
Entertainment
Hydraulic industrial equipment isn’t just about safety and heavy lifting; it can also contribute to fun experiences.
A visit to an amusement park showcases the role of hydraulic systems in entertainment. Roller coasters, ferris wheels, and other attractions rely on hydraulics to enhance safety and functionality. These systems ensure reliable braking and operate the lap bars that keep riders securely in place.
The power generated by hydraulic systems facilitates the movement of these rides while adding a layer of safety compared to traditional pulley systems.
Water Treatment
Hydraulic valves are crucial for maintaining stability within water treatment facilities. Hydraulic industrial equipment provides greater control over various important factors. By strategically opening and closing hydraulic valves, operators can direct the flow of water through specific pipes for various purposes.
Additionally, Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic valves can regulate flow rates, which is vital in the water treatment process. Lower flow rates result in reduced water pressure, which can be beneficial in different treatment stages.
Traditional valves lack the consistency and ease of use offered by hydraulic valves, making them essential tools in water treatment plants worldwide.
Hydraulic studies have long been essential for pipeline operators to ensure the safe and efficient transport of fluids. North American regulations (ASME B31.4 and CSA Z662) mandate that pipeline pressures must not exceed the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) limits, even momentarily. Hydraulic studies provide confidence that a pipeline can operate safely under worst-case scenarios and apply to the transportation of all types of fluids, including water, crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gasoline/diesel.
In this post, we will provide a brief overview of what a hydraulic study entails and when you should consider conducting one.
Hydraulic studies are valuable in identifying risks in new or modified fluid systems while maximizing operational capacity.
What Is a Hydraulic Study?
An Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic study evaluates both the steady-state (operational) and transient (short-term changes) flow conditions of a fluid pipeline to ensure that safety risks are minimized and operating limits are set appropriately. This study can assess conditions within a pipeline terminal and along mainlines connecting terminals, typically utilizing computer simulations and engineering expertise.
Steady-state studies confirm that fluid pressures, velocities, and flow rates remain within acceptable limits as defined by regulatory codes, client standards, and equipment specifications. These evaluations are conducted under worst-case scenarios, accounting for variations in fluid density, temperature, and flow rates.
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Transient studies ensure that the system can safely withstand surge pressures generated during transient events. Such scenarios often involve rapid valve closures or pump stoppages, which can create potentially hazardous pressure waves in the pipeline, commonly known as the water-hammer effect.
The findings from these studies can lead to recommendations for mitigating actions, such as adjusting equipment, flow rates, tank levels, or control logic. Through collaboration with client stakeholders, a safe and cost-effective solution can be developed.
Why Are Hydraulic Studies Important?
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic studies are crucial for any new project or existing infrastructure where hydraulic changes are anticipated.
Even minor alterations to hydraulic conditions can create both short- and long-term risks for operations. A hydraulic study can help identify opportunities for addressing operational bottlenecks, equipment health issues, nuisance trips, and fluid limits.
Three Triggers for Conducting a Hydraulic Study
1. New System Design
Any new Automotive Lift Repair Orlando pipeline system must comply with pressure regulations, making hydraulic studies the most common means of demonstrating safety compliance. Each situation or facility has distinct characteristics, elevations, and equipment, which can complicate predictions of pipeline safety.
Changes such as reversing a pipeline, adding loading arms, or repurposing equipment may necessitate a hydraulic study. Typically, Automotive Lift Repair Orlando studies are initiated early in the design phase, with models created based on preliminary drawings to allow for the implementation of recommendations with minimal impact on the project budget.