Using Air Motor for industrial liquid filtration

Filtering liquids is a necessary process in many industrial sectors and for various functions (fuel, petrochemical, drilling water, treating industrial water etc). This process allows you to separate the different components in a mixture. Depending on what you are doing, the liquid can have different viscosity levels (fuels, oils, tarmac, glue, petrol residue, paint, resin, treacle and more).

The application

The mixture – in our example a mix of hydrocarbons – is pushed through a filter by a motor. It involves highly inflammable products whose viscosity can vary.

Why choose a pneumatic motor?

Choosing to use an air motor for this type of filtering exercise offers an excellent solution.

Contrary to an electric motor, a pneumatic motor doesn’t heat up, doesn’t produce any electricity and therefore there is no risk of giving off sparks. It is particularly recommended for use in potentially explosive or inflammable environments.

Another advantage of a pneumatic motor is that it doesn’t over-reach and “blow” which can be a risk with an electric motor when submitted to an overly high torque. If a load applied to a pneumatic motor is heavier than the motor’s maximum torque level, then the motor simply stalls without causing any damage.

In addition, when the viscosity of the mixture changes, it’s important that the motor can continue to provide sufficient torque at a constant speed. Pneumatic motors are known for their flexibility and, thanks to an integrated gearbox, they can operate at constant speeds whatever load is applied.

The solution 

So, for our filter-manufacturing clients, we have a pneumatic motor with a 1/60 or 1/20 gearbox capable of providing a relatively slow speed (6/8 turns per minute) and deploying a high torque. What’s more, the motor is reversible, which means you can invert the rotational direction to auto-clean the filters.

Pneumatic motors are well-adapted for filtering operations, offering numerous advantages, notably in terms of safety for ATEX applications.

Why not take a look at our catalogue? We can also help you to design a motor specifically adapted to your needs. Don’t hesitate, give us a call!