Let’s first define oil mist in more detail before going into the specifics of how it is formed.
Oil mist is made up of tiny oil droplets suspended in the air, whose makeup may vary based on the kind of oil or lubricant used and the particular industrial activity involved. Oil mist typically comprises of the base oil as well as any additives or impurities that may be present in the oil. The machining or cutting operation may also produce aerosolized metal or other material particles, which are present in the mist. The oil droplets can be anything between a few and several microns in diameter, which makes them small enough to remain suspended in the air for a long time. No matter what the oil mist may comprise of, every oil mist particulate composition is a dangerous compilation!
How is oil mist formed?
Oil mist can be produced through atomization or aerosolization. This happens when mechanical forces, heat, or pressure are applied to a liquid coolant or oil, causing it to break up into tiny droplets that float in the air. Here are several typical approaches, albeit the precise mechanisms of oil mist generation can vary depending on the industrial process and equipment involved.
- By means of mechanical forces: Mechanical operations including drilling, machining, cutting, and grinding can produce oil mist. The oil or coolant often comes in contact with high-speed tools or equipment during such operations. The force and movement involved in these operations may cause the oil to break up into tiny droplets, creating an oil mist.
- In pressurised systems: When oil is sprayed or injected into a chamber or enclosure, pressurised systems can also produce oil mist. High pressure causes the oil to be released in the form of a fine spray or mist of oil droplets. This technique is frequently applied in fluid power or lubrication systems.
- Due to heat and friction: In certain applications, heat and friction can cause oil mist to develop. For instance, during hot rolling or forging operations, the high temperatures and high levels of friction between the metal surfaces can cause lubricating fluids or coolants to evaporate or aerosolize, thus producing oil mist.
- Using mist generators: Some industrial operations use specialized atomizers or mist generators to purposefully produce oil mist for particular applications. These machines produce a controlled and reliable mist of oil particles using mechanisms like high-pressure nozzles, ultrasonic vibrations, or centrifugal forces.
The viscosity, content, and other characteristics of the oil or coolant being used, as well as the particular operational circumstances and equipment involved, can all have an impact on how oil mist forms. The creation and dispersion of oil mist can be minimized through proper technical controls, such as the use of mist collectors or ventilation systems, which lowers the dangers to worker health and safety. For instance, you can get in touch with Powertech Pollution Controls to get access to the best oil mist collector. With the use of high-speed centrifugal collection of liquid pollutants, this particular piece of equipment, which is marketed under the brand name Mistkiller, can be used to preserve a healthy environment by minimizing airborne pollution. A high-efficiency centrifugal collector, this mist collector is designed to capture and control most types of mist generated by the use of water-based coolants or water-based liquids.
Powertech Pollution Controls Pvt. Ltd. 