Coolant Filtration and Coolant Recirculation Systems

Coolants are liquids which perform the following functions in support of an industrial process:

• Cleaning of the work piece and tool.
• Lubrication of the work piece and tool.
• Protection of the surfaces of the work piece and the tool.
• Cooling of the work piece and tool.

Any or all of the functions can take emphasis in the process.

Quartz & Fiber Optics Grinding Coolant System

The system at left recirculates the coolant through two very fine 1 Micron and 0.35 Micron filters. In addition the pump maintains an output pressure for the workpiece at 44 PSI, with the chiller holding the proper coolant temperature. These variables need to be maintained to produce the proper finish of the quartz etched workpiece. We have also placed a filter on the inlet water to prevent particles from the city makeup water from interfering with the fine grinding operation

An often overlooked function is the coolant flow and pressure need to be sufficient to be able to transport contaminants created during the process away from the work piece being manufactured. This is overlooked because it is not a property inherent in the coolant liquid. It only becomes a property when the proper flow and pressure are applied to the coolant and then transport it to the work piece.

Long before recycling became fashionable, industry has recycled industrial liquids used as coolants. As pollution control and industrial discharge requirements have become more strict, more and more industrial liquids used need to be recycled.

Coolants can be simply tap water. At the other end of the scale coolants can be emulsified combinations of purified water and special oils and additives selected for their properties in supporting the process.

The most practical note: Logistics

Because coolants support processes which generate solid contaminants the logistics of moving the solid contaminants can dominate the solution. Moving the correct amount of fluid around under the right pressures and flows even when the fluid carries significant solids present challenges to the designer. Often the first step in the solution, is to determine simply how many pieces of solids are present. From there we ask how many solids are made on a continuing basis and how many the process can tolerate. Getting solids and liquids from place to place are the logistics of coolant reuse.

Metalworking Coolants??

Often systems these days are for Non Metallic workpiece and their Coolants. We used to call these systems metalworking coolants but often they are not on metals. A sign of the times.