Thermal Insulation Of Hydraulic Cylinders

[sriram123]

Hi All,

I'm working on a Hydraulic Tire Curing Press Project.There are Hydraulic cylinders in many regions of the press.Steam @ 220 deg c is used to heat the tire to bring about vulcanization process.The press earlier supplied to the customer had thermal insulation problems due to which the structure got heated and the heat was transferred to the cylinders (Which has been rectified in the present design) by which the seals of hydraulic cylinder failed frequently.The customer now demands thermal insulation for all hydraulic cylinders even though we have satisfactory insulation design.

The question is readymade thermal insulation available for hydraulic cylinders? or has anyone read or heard of insulating the hydraulic cylinders?

Note: I have done some searching in internet and i couldn't find any results.


Sorry if I have mis-stated or understated something and thanks in advance for your support.

 

[philrainey]

Wouldn't want the hydraulics to be doing too much work or they would get hot by insulating them. Then again I guess you can cool the hydraulic oil.

 

[Baluncore]

Cylinder heating during operation should not be a problem as it is cooled by the cyclic fluid exchange. High pressure hydraulic fluid will be subjected to a pressure reduction in the cylinder cycle so that may even produce a net cooling effect.

A thermal insulation layer would need to be a closed cell foam or it would progressively absorb water and oil.

It might be possible to achieve sufficient cooling by mounting a thin stainless steel heat shield between the heat source and the cylinder. The free thermal movement of air in the small gap between the shield and cylinder will make a big difference to the cylinder wall and hence the piston ring temperatures.

Alternatively, fit a tube jacket over the cylinder with a small annular gap. Then pump a water/glycol or cooled hydraulic fluid through the jacket to remove the heat from the cylinder wall. The cooling fluid seal between the jacket and cylinder ends could be with an O-ring as there is very little pressure involved.

 

[marcusl]

Too bad asbestos is such bad stuff--it would be perfect for this application otherwise! Have you looked into fiberglass insulation? I've seen jacketed fiberglass around pipes before.

 

[alphy]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your project and question. Thermal insulation for hydraulic cylinders is not a widely discussed topic, but it is certainly an important consideration for your project. While there may not be readily available insulation specifically designed for hydraulic cylinders, there are a few options that you can explore.

One option is to use insulation materials commonly used for pipes, such as mineral wool or foam insulation. These materials can be cut and fitted around the cylinder to provide insulation. However, it is important to ensure that the insulation does not interfere with the movement of the cylinder or cause any other operational issues.

Another option is to use a thermal blanket designed for high temperatures. These blankets are typically made from fiberglass or ceramic fibers and can be custom fit to the cylinder. They are also flexible and durable, making them suitable for use on hydraulic cylinders.

It is also worth considering the placement of the insulation. If the cylinders are located near a heat source, such as the steam used for vulcanization, additional insulation may be needed in that area to prevent heat transfer.

In any case, it is important to carefully consider the materials and design of the insulation to ensure it does not interfere with the operation of the cylinders or cause any safety concerns. I recommend consulting with an expert in thermal insulation to determine the best solution for your specific project. I hope this helps and wish you success in your project!