8/9/2019 Equipment Protection Meets Problem Detection_Des-Case

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Keeping contamination under control.®

Equipment Protection Meets Problem DetectionDes-Case® Standard Disposable Desiccant Breathers

Des-Case Corporation675 N. Main St.Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Phone: (615) 672-8800Fax: (615) 672-0701http://www.descase.comsales@descase.com

TM

Des-Case desiccant breathers are designed tofilter out two of the most harmful contaminants totoday’s equipment – dirt and water. Multi-tieredfiltration takes care of the particles, and silica gelabsorbs water from incoming and outgoing air.

Des-Case breathers are unique in their design,allowing for bi-directional, controlled airflowthrough their integrated standpipe, high durabilitypolycarbonate and nylon body, and multiple airvents.

In addition to preventing particle and wateringression, they can also be an indicator of abnormally functioning equipment.

Breather Basics 

Des-Case desiccant breathers are designed to:

Protect lubricated reservoirs against•external contamination (dust as well ashumidity)

Prevent oil misting from lubricant•

reservoirs into ambient airIndicate water adsorption with color-•changing silica gel desiccant

Be an early indicator of equipment issues•

Things to Know 

The silica gel in a Des-Case breather•turns from blue to pink in the presence ofwater molecules and turns from blue tobrown (or dark blue, yellow, or orange) inthe presence of oil molecules or mist.

The gel should normally turn from blue to• pinkfromthebottomoftheltertothetop.

If the desiccant indicates the presence•of oil, the change should not reach morethan 30% of the volume of the breather.

The average duration of a Des-Case•breather is six months to one year (variesby application).

Consider total cost of ownership when•

selecting a breather. The right design forthe right application will prove to be mostcost-effective in the long run.

8/9/2019 Equipment Protection Meets Problem Detection_Des-Case

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Equipment Protection Meets Problem DetectionDes-Case® Standard Disposable Desiccant Breathers

Des-Case Corporation675 N. Main St.Goodlettsville, TN 37072

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Fax: (615) 672-0701http://www.descase.comsales@descase.com

TM

Problem Detection

There are four main alerts visible with a Des-Case desiccant breather. In almostevery circumstance, they point either to issues with reservoir/machine or with breather selection. As always, Des-Case is standing by with technical and customer support to help you design or troubleshoot your particular situation.

Short Duration

Changing Top to Bottom or (BothDirections) 

Changing Blue to Brown (or dark blue, yellow, or orange) Long Duration

Breathers should last atleast three months – andshould be sized to last sixmonths to one year

Indicates water is comingfrom inside the system asit vents to the atmosphere- rather than from ambient

air.

This color changeindicates oil misting. Oilmist must not reach morethan 30% of the volume of

the breather.

Unless the environmenthas been abnormallydry, the breather shouldexhibit some change from

bottom to top within ayear.

Reservoir Water Content Late Replacement Cycles Reservoir/Equip. Issues Breather Size 

If the breather changesquicklywhenrst

installed, the breather is

likely working to removewater already in the

system. It may take twoto three breathers to drythe headspace before the

breather begins operatingnormally.

If breathers are

not replaced whencompletely pink, the

breather becomes a justparticlelter,allowing

humidity to enter thesystem until it is replaced.The new breather then

must work to removewater in the headspace.

This could indicate theoilreservoirislled

with more oil than the

recommended maximum.It could also indicate a

mismatch of lubricant withthe working temperatureorefciencylosses,

resulting in fumesfrom high temperature

conditions.

The breather may be

larger than what isrequired for the system.

Check the recommendedsystem sizing. The

breather should bechanged at one year,regardless of visible

condition, to renewparticleltration.

Intake Holes Oil Storage Procedures Intake Holes  

Frequently, all intake

holes are unnecessarilyopened at installation,reducing breather life.

Instructions indicate howmany holes are needed

forvariousairowrequirements.

During incorrect oil

storage procedurescondensation can occur,resulting in water entering

“new” oil, and then thesystem. The breather

must then work to removewater from inside the

reservoir.

Check that the proper

number of plugshave been removed.Instructions indicate how

many holes are neededforvariousairow

requirements.

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