Short definition
Hydraulics uses fluids, typically mineral oils or water-based media, to transmit power and control movements in technical systems. It enables the transmission of high forces in a compact design due to the incompressibility of the pressure medium. Hydraulic systems consist of pumps, valves, cylinders, motors and accumulators. In membrane filtration systems, hydraulic components are used for force-intensive processes such as membrane tensioning, high-pressure plunger pumps or automated filter presses.
Functional principle
A hydraulic pump generates a volume flow and builds up system pressure via throttling. Proportional, servo or directional control valves control the direction, pressure and flow of the hydraulic fluid to the actuators. Hydraulic cylinders convert fluid pressure into linear movement, hydraulic motors into rotation. Pressure accumulators buffer volume flows and serve as an energy reserve. They are controlled via electric or electrohydraulic valves, which are controlled by the PLC. Modern systems use load sensing or closed-loop hydraulics for energy optimization and precise force control.
Areas of application
In membrane filtration, hydraulics are mainly used in mechanical separation processes. Filter presses use hydraulic cylinders to close and press the filter packs with defined contact forces. Hydraulic membrane tensioning systems ensure uniform pre-tensioning of winding modules. In high-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) systems, hydraulically driven plunger pumps convert pressures of up to 120 bar for seawater desalination.
Typical areas of application:
- Automatic filter press systems with hydraulic closing force
- Membrane clamping systems in spiral-wound modules
- High-pressure booster pumps for RO systems
- Hydraulic actuation of large valves
- Pressure maintenance systems with hydraulic accumulators
Summary
Hydraulics offer unsurpassed force density and precise positioning under robust operating conditions. It enables the realization of force-intensive processes in a compact design with a long service life. For system manufacturers, it means reliable power transmission even under extreme pressures and the possibility of integration into modern automation concepts through electrohydraulic interfaces.
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