“In today’s demanding industrial sector, efficiency and reliability are critical, particularly in sectors where fluid handling, lubrication and clean fuel are vital for high productivity and sustained operation,” says Susan Victor, sales manager for BMG’s Fluid Technology division. “Because filtration is the only effective defence against wear and tear when contaminants are present, it is critical that effective filter components are correctly used to ensure dependable performance, high efficiency and the extended service life of machinery and vehicles.
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BMG’s bespoke circulating oil lubrication system supports two hydrostatic dual-pocket partial journal mill bearing assemblies and two pinion bearings.
“At BMG, our team works closely with our customers in diverse sectors to implement filtration systems that enhance operational efficiency, reduce equipment wear and minimise downtime. Our filtration solutions are also designed to reduce waste and extend the service life of fluids and lubricants, minimising environmental impact. In addition, we help businesses comply with important health and safety regulations, providing cleaner air and fluids for a safer, healthier work environment,” she adds.
The filtration portfolio
“BMG’s extensive filtration portfolio encompasses many carefully selected products that not only improve performance, but also contribute to sustainability in all sectors. Our range includes hydraulic fluid, diesel, lubricant and air filtration products from reputable manufacturers, including the Filtration Group and Fleetguard. International certification gives customers the assurance of quality, consistency, safety and environmental compliance.
“Our Filtration Group products, which include specialised bulk fuel filtration systems for reliable and clean fuel flow, are designed for dependable use in industrial, manufacturing, mining, agricultural and bulk fuel applications. Fleetguard manufactures advanced mobile filtration equipment that is essential for on-road and off-road machinery used in construction, transportation and agriculture.”
BMG’s range of filtration equipment includes air and desiccant breathers that are essential for protecting systems from moisture and contaminants, while also preventing equipment corrosion. Water coalescers and separators are engineered to effectively remove water from diesel and lubricating oils, which is crucial for preventing rust and to maintain fuel quality.
Fleetguard mobile filters meet the demands of both on-road and off-road mobile equipment, to ensure optimal engine and hydraulic performance in the field. In-tank suction filters serve as the first line of defence against contaminants, protecting critical components such as pumps and motors from damage. Metal edge filters are designed to efficiently handle high levels of solids, ensuring reliable filtration in demanding environments that extend from coolant systems to fuel handling applications.
Self-cleaning filters, which offer a cost-effective solution for continuous filtration, are fitted with an automatic cleaning mechanism designed to minimise maintenance requirements and reduce operational disruptions. Tank top return filters are positioned on tank top return lines to capture contaminants returning to the reservoir, ensuring the required cleanliness of hydraulic systems. Basket strainers are ideally suited for low-pressure systems, to capture larger particles, offering protection to pumps, valves and other system components.
Simplex filters provide a single-stream solution, while duplex filters enable continuous operation by allowing one side of the filter to be serviced without interrupting flow. Dust filter bags are suitable for environments with airborne particulates and are recommended to enhance worker safety and extend the service life of equipment. Liquid filter bags have been developed for high-flow filtration in various industrial processes to efficiently capture a wide range of particulate sizes.
Bespoke lubrication and filtration solutions
BMG’s Fluid Technology team has recently completed the design, supply and commissioning of an advanced lubrication system for a main bearing on a ball mill, which has been developed to optimise productivity and minimise maintenance requirements and downtime.
This specially designed circulating oil lubrication system was engineered to ensure the smooth operation and long-term reliability of the mill’s dual-pocket mill bearings and pinion bearings, providing both low-pressure oil conditioning and high-pressure lift oil circuits.
“BMG – which has designed and built lubrication systems for large-scale industrial projects for 50 years – developed this bespoke lubrication solution to ensure durability, efficiency and extended service life of the critical ball mill,” explains Taylor Black, Business Development Manager for Fluid Technology Projects at BMG.
“This lubrication system supports two hydrostatic dual-pocket partial journal mill bearing assemblies that are 1 800 mm in diameter and 420 mm wide, along with two pinion bearings. All BMG lubrication systems comprise quality branded components to ensure adherence to stringent performance and safety specifications, to meet industry requirements.
“The circulating oil lubrication system includes a three-compartment reservoir, a low-pressure oil conditioning pump set, a high-pressure lift oil pump set, pressure relief valves and heaters. The system also features critical accessories and various instruments and safeguards to ensure optimal performance and reliability, even in harsh conditions,” adds Black.
Key features include:
- A reservoir with a 1 700 ℓ capacity equipped with inspection covers, a removable strainer basket, drip tray, drain, suction port, oil level gauges, an oil level transmitter, air breather and a structural steel base frame.
- A low-pressure oil flow in excess of
250 ℓ/min provides sufficient lubrication to the system’s components, while high-pressure oil flow is delivered to each of the four bearing recesses to support the hydrostatic bearings. Flow at 200 kPa is delivered to each of the two pinion bearings. - A duplex filter with 25 µm nominal cartridge-style elements is installed in the low-pressure line, equipped with differential pressure transmitters for monitoring.
For dependable temperature control, a heater with a thermostat regulates oil temperature during startup or low-load operation. Temperature gauges and transmitters are installed at both the oil exit in the cooler and within the reservoir. High-pressure lines are fitted with pressure transmitters and gauges near the mill main bearing for precise control and monitoring, and a water-to-oil plate and frame-type heat exchanger is used to dissipate heat.
Designed to operate with ISO VG 320 grade oil, standby pumps for both low and high pressure flows ensure continuous operation in case of a primary pump failure. These pumps are equipped with isolation valves and pressure relief valves to protect against overpressure conditions.
Skid-mounted flow transmitters for low-pressure lines and pressure gauges for high-pressure lines provide detailed real-time data on system performance. All field instruments using the HART protocol include local displays for ease of use, and silicone-filled gauges and calibrated field transmitters ensure accurate readings and reliable operation.
The BMG Fluid Technology team also designs and manufactures hydraulic power packs, bulk fuel filtration systems, grease systems, cylinders, manifold blocks and electrical panels. “This equipment is supplied for various projects, including crushers, thickener drives, tailings applications, ball mills, filter presses, stacker reclaimers, fuel and oil filtration, furnace and winder applications, as well as load out stations,” says Taylor Black.
Fluid Technology services include solutions for fuel and industrial filtration systems, hydraulics and pneumatics, lubrication, hydraulic hose and fittings, as well as instrumentation, pumps and industrial valves. Through the company’s expert guidance – comprising product selection, installation, maintenance services and a dependable stockholding of components – BMG is able to meet the high demand for dependable filtration services and bespoke solutions throughout the African continent.
“Without the implementation of a structured control and contamination prevention programme, premature equipment failure is likely to occur, resulting in unnecessary downtime and costly replacement of parts,” concludes Susan Victor.
