BTUs of Hydraulic Fluid

Its in the same general range as what most other fuel oils are. 100 K to 150K BTU per gallon but it will vary widely.

Around here its usually a common part in the "mystery Mix" that the used oil burner systems work with.

Mystery Mix can be any combination of any weight of used motor oils, automatic or manual transmission fluid, gear oil, hydraulic oil, old fuel of any age and type, Plus any other combustible liquid that may have been sitting around for who knows what original purpose!

If the Mystery Mix gets to thick at times it common to thin it out with the cheapest fuel of any sort that can be found. Gasoline and diesel are most common.

on the west coast they call it bunker oil. and sell it to ships to burn. Be careful as some hydraulic fluids ( houghton comes to mind) are specially formulated not to burn. We ran such fluids on our bulldozers at the Blast furnace slag operations- if a line broke while over hot slag, we didn't want ignition. milo

Hi Milo,

Bunker oil is the generic classification for > 3500 seconds residual oil. Nowadays that is frequently equal to 6000 secs and is heavy in asphaltines and vanadium!!. It is not to be confused with the stuff that is being talked about. It can only be burnt on spinning cups and has to be heated to 180F before entering the burner.

regards,

Massey.

I am certain that you are Telling it True. I am also certain in my knowledge of how oil from mills and shops gets "classified" and resold out on the west coast to go bye byes as marine fuel... I believe that the key word in your post that also allows my comment to be true is the word "Generic." where does the vanadium come from? milo

Hi Milo,

As the name residual oil implies its what remains when all the higher fractions have been driven oo and therefore there is a concentrating effect on all the non-volatiles. Therefore depending on the origins of the crude there will be a variety of these 'heavies' remaining.

As far as 'Bunker C' (aka 3500 sec) is concerned anything with origins in Venezuela and similar oil fields possess vanadiumin varying concentrations and this will be deposited as an oxide (possibly V2O5) along with sulphates etc on the cooler parts of the furnace/boiler tubes. It is deliquescent and provides the basis for acidic attack when plant is idle for long periods

There are also serious health issues relating to its removal as once inhaled it does permanent damage to lung tissue, best avoided under all circumstances.

Kind regards,

Massey.

Hi Massy,

"Bunker Oil" differs on where and whom you buy it. Each type and mix has it's own 'Fingerprint".

Take care

Interesting stuff on the oils Massey and Milo.

What might be a typical blend and makeup of one of these 'generic' bunker oils? I know that's general but that is what I want. I am ignorant to these oils but would sure like to know something about them for when i CAN start burning them.

> 3500 seconds residual oil.

It can only be burnt on spinning cups

what do these mean??

Hi STOLISMA,

The spinning cup type oil burner has as its atomiser a tapering open mouthed cup which is rotated at high speed >5000 rpm+.It faces into the combustion chamber and oil is introduced at the base. The high speed and centrifugal forces cause a thin film of the oil to progress towards the lip where it is met by high velocity air emerging from an annular gap around the cup. At this point atomisation occurs and the flame propagates on this nozzle. Ignition is via a spark which lights a pilot flame ,usually NG or propane.

These burners are extremely tolerant of impurities as there are no close tolerance orifices such as are to be found in the pressure jet type. Hence they are much loved by the marine fraternity.

My chief concern is the possibility of your hydraulic fluid containing constituents which when burnt could give rise to toxic products which even in small quantities or concentrations would be considered prejudecial to the health of workers or nearby residents.

Regarding the 'heavy oils' they are quite literally the bottom of the barrel in refinery terms and their composition can vary quite enormously although the calorific value must remain within prescribed limits. To achieve this CV the refiners often add paraffin or an equivalent light grade to boost it whilst also reducing the viscosity to a more reasonable figure.

The issue of the toxicity of residues in the combustion chamber only really became apparent in the 1970s and decontamination procedures were then written for the removal, usually by soda washing of the fouling of the heat transfer surfaces. A filthy job and one which no one ever enjoyed doing.

Best wishes,

Massey.

Best wishes,

Massey.

Makes sense on the spinning cup, just never heard of it. I did have an electrostatic paint machine that ejected the paint in the same manner, without the compressed air.

I think I'll stay away from the bunker oils. I have probably introduced enough toxicity into my environment.

What was the classification >3500 second residual referring to?

second= Sayboldt Universal Seconds see<especially> the table here: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dynamic-absolute-kinematic-viscosity-d_412.html Greater than 3500 seconds (>3500 second) is thick like lava. milo

Hi Babybear,

Good to hear from you and yes the 'fingerprint' is the all important factor in this matter. We have a major bitumen and tar refiner nearby and their 3500+ is extremely ''colourful'' in its constituents. As I suggested to Milo as it comes from the Venezuelan oil fields the heavy metal content is significant.

Best wishes,

Massey.

Hi Massey,

Thanks for the welcome and can I wish you in return a Happy New Year?

The OP's question is perhaps a difficult one to get an exact mark on really, as right or wrong I have always had in mind, Hydraulic Fluid as a 'thin oil', if it is an oil in the first place...................... How many grades of Hydraulic Fluid is there, probably too many to count!

Also, the 'spec' of a hydraulic fluid that is to be used as a pressurised liquid, is totally different to something which may be producing heat, and to link with your your post to me, a 'fluid' which was high in heavy grades like bitumen would probably be the one to choose if there is a choice.

I would think that a high metal content may not be helpful with 'polluting' in mind? Of course it could always have a scrubber on the 'chimney', but easier to start with as low as possible really poisonous metal or anything else?

Bit 'wordy' there, sorry.

Take care OK?

From my experience on the farm and having worked with industrial equipment for most of my adult working life I can safely say there is a great and wide range of hydraulic fluids of greatly varying viscosities. From what I have ever understood most common types are in the 10 - 30 weight range as compared to engine oils.

Around here even the thinest stuff is often too thick at -10 F and colder so I have to cut it with about 20% #1 diesel fuel to thin it out in our loader tractor to keep the hydraulics working properly all winter. By summer the diesel fuel evaporates and the hydraulic fluid is back to a normal viscosity range.

Nice little paw print you left here bb.

A good cocktail has a fingerprint as well. Unless you know where the spirits come from or who has distilled them and from what and were, one will never be able to guaranty the perfect (and always perfect) cocktail. Be it for burning or drinking.

Under pressure one can have a few more (undefined) cocktails but you (the burner) will feel the consequences the next day. Nothing comes from nothing, Ky.

Cheers ky,

I like your first funny little remark.

I can only go on my own opinion here and what I know of fluids used as Hydraulics?

Take care and thanks for the mention, OK?

I have never heard of the babington ball before.

i might start it in the morning. it's cold!!

Hi Bigfury,

Take the CV as 18,000 BtU per pound, and you won't be far wrong. What happens next depends on the type of burner you have and the viscosity of the oil and the quantity you wish to dispose of.

You should also be aware that these fluids are complex compounds in their own right and the resultant products of combustion could be toxic and or damaging to the furnace. Much depends on the combustion process and the flame temperature, you don't want to end up emitting dioxins into the neighbourhood!

If you do decide its worth proceeding, I would avoid trying to run the burner on undiluted hydraulic fluid/oil and try adding say 10% to a decent volume of the usual stuff, if that's OK you might consider increasing the concentration.

If the burner is a pressure jet type working on the 35 sec standard 'gas oil' spec you may find difficulty with getting good combustion unless the hydraulic fluid/oil is well and truly diluted ,and thoroughly mixed,it may not do so, into the 'diesel'.

If you are using a rotary cup burner then the oil heaters will probably keep the viscosity to a tolerable level.

Whatever you decide to do a little experimentation would be advisable before you commit a tankful to your burner!

A little research into the composition of the fluid would be advisable to avoid creating other problems.

Good luck,

Massey.

most hydrocarbons have 21,000 BTU's per pound. If the HC has oxygens, then they drop to 17,000 btu/lb