Product Overview
What Is A Varnish Removal System (VRS)?
The Varnish Removal System (VRS) is designed to remove both soluble and suspended varnish from a wide range of hydraulic and lubrication oils – mineral based, synthetic, and phosphate esters. Utilizing either granular adsorbent media when the oil is at warm operating temperature or depth-media filters when the oil is cool (during an outage), the VRS delivers unmatched versatility, performance, and results.
Continuous use in a kidney-loop configuration has proven to consistently lower the MPC in hydraulic and lubrication oils from critically high levels (MPC 75) to MPC 15 or lower, and significant results can usually be seen in as little as 3-4 weeks.
VRS Is Ideal For:
The VRS is trusted by operators of critical rotating and hydraulic equipment in industries where varnish buildup is known to adversely affect operational efficiency, reliability, and performance, including:
Turbine lube oil systems – gas and steam turbines (for example GE Frame 7FA, 7EA)
Hydraulic oil systems – industrial presses, plastic injection molding machines
Fyrquel® EHC fluid systems – electro-hydraulic control systems in power plants
Compressor lube oil systems – centrifugal and reciprocating compressors
Also scavenges acids in Fyrquel® EHC fluid, effectively lowering the TAN
Why Varnish Removal Matters
Varnish is a byproduct of the oxidation and breakdown of the oil itself, and when left unchecked, it tends to plate out on the metal surfaces of lube oil and hydraulic systems, either as hard deposits or as a sticky gel-like substance. Varnish build-up commonly causes a number of problems:
Sticking servo-valves (reduces operational efficiency)
Elevated bearing temperatures (leads to premature wear and failure)
Plugging of filter elements (causes higher maintenance costs)
Available Sizes / Flow Rates:
10 GPM – large systems (6,200-gallon turbine reservoirs)
5 GPM – medium systems (3,000-gallon turbine reservoirs)
1 GPM – small hydraulic or lube oil reservoirs
Filtration Media:
Granular Adsorbent Media – removes soluble varnish at 100°F or higher without depleting additive packages
Depth Media Filters – removes suspended varnish and soft contaminants at 70°F or lower during outages or offline filtration
Particulate Filtration:
High-efficiency pleated microglass filter elements, rated Beta> 1000 per ISO 16889
Achieves ISO cleanliness levels as low as 14/12/11
Performance Example:
Before filtration: ISO 22/21/19, MPC = 38
After filtration: ISO 15/13/10, MPC = 8
Design Features:
Interchangeable housing accepts both media types
Reusable stainless steel cartridges with replaceable media packs
NEMA 4 control panel with main power disconnect, illuminated on/off switch, and plugged filter indicators
Integrated lifting mechanism for safe handling of oil-saturated elements
Proven Performance
By removing soluble and suspended varnish from the oil, the VRS can help prevent stiction of servo-valves, lower the temperature of bearings, and extend the life of your oil and critical rotating equipment components.
Granular Adsorbent Media Cartridges for Soluble Varnish
Oil slowly passes down through a bed of granular resin bead media which effectively “adsorbs” soluble varnish. This process is essentially adhesion of polar bodies onto the surface of each resin bead, which is specially formulated to ensure that additive packages in the oil are not adversely affected or removed.
Depth Media Filter Elements for Suspended Varnish
Tightly wound layers of cellulose media create a large amount of surface area and a torturous path for the flow of oil, effectively removing suspended solids, soft contaminants, and varnish.