The above question has been raised at an online discussion forum. We, at IKM Ocean Team have been meeting similar questions from our customers. The purpose of this article is therefore to put forward our knowledge and experience within this matter and further give our recommendations to, how the challenges can be solved.

What Cause Cavitations and Air Bobbles?
Several different circumstances can cause formation of cavitations and air bobbles in technical systems. Among some of the most common sources are listed below:

• Tank design issues 
  Turbulence in the tank churns the air into the oil or simply does not allow air to be released from the oil. This can be caused by plunging oil returns, low oil level, a tank that is too small, lack of proper baffling, etc. 
   
• Suction line leaks 
  Leaks between the tank and the pump can introduce air. Often this is associated with the shaft seal at the pump that allows air to leak in.
• Suction-line restriction 
  Sometimes suction lines are too long, too narrow or they are simply plugged (e.g., a plugged suction strainer). 
   
• Insufficient head 
  Depending on oil viscosity and suction line conditions, the pump must be located at a sufficiently low elevation to enable oil to flow readily from the tank to the inlet port of the pump. 
   
• Air release problems 
  As oils age and become contaminated, air release properties become impaired. This simply means that once air bubbles form they stay locked into the matrix of the oil and do not detrain out of the oil in the reservoir. Moisture contamination and oxidation are known precursors to this problem, among many others. ASTM D3427 is a test for air release properties. 
   
• Water vapor 
  When hot oils become contaminated with water, superheated seam will form vapor bubbles in the oil. 
   
• High viscosity 
  When reservoir temperatures are too cold, during wintertime startup conditions for example, the viscosity may be too high to enable proper oil flow in the suction line and into the pump. Other causes of high oil viscosity can lead to the same problem.

The Consequences of Cavitations
In addition, cavitations may result in increased oil oxidation rates. When an air ignitable mixture is present within the bubble, ignition may occur from the rise in temperature accompanying the compression process. This process requires only nanoseconds and the localized temperature may be 2,012°F (1,100°C) or higher. 

The process, also known as the micro dieseling effect may lead to oxidative degradation of the hydraulic oil, localized hot spots and pressure spikes, and may subsequently lead to cavitations erosion in a hydraulic pump or other component. In addition to these well known processes, cavitations may lead to the formation of reactive chemical intermediates, which are capable of affecting secondary oxidation and reduction processes. 

These and other hydraulic and lubricating system problems resulting from the presence of bubbles in a hydraulic fluid include:

• Oil temperature rise. 
• Deterioration of oil quality. 
• Degradation of lubrication (due to either viscosity loss or sludge and varnish formation). 
• Reduced thermal conductivity.
• Cavitations and erosion. 
• Noise generation. 
• Reduced bulk modulus (due to fluid aeration leading to a spongy fluid and sluggish system control). 
• Decreased pump efficiency.
• Reduced dielectric properties. 

 
Figure showing bubble collapse and consequence
    
Conclusions
Cavitations and air bobbles can have several root causes. Some relate to system and component design issues and others are more service related. Cavitations occur when either air or vapor bubbles form in the suction line fluid and are subsequently imploded in the pump by the pressured oil. This leads to micro jets of oil pounding and eroding adjacent surfaces which reduce the service life of the oil and increase the maintenance cost essential. 

In the light of the above punch list of possible contributing causes of cavitations IKM Ocean Team experience that most cavitations and air bobbles issues are mainly caused by a chemical reaction into the oil due to the fact of:

1. Air release problems; As oils age and become contaminated air release properties become impaired (oil degradation). This simply means that once air bubbles form they stay locked into the matrix of the oil and do not detrain out of the oil in the reservoir. Moisture contamination and oxidation are known precursors to this problem, among many others. ASTM D3427 is a test for air release properties. 
2. Water vapor. When hot oils become contaminated with water, super heated foam will form vapor bubbles in the oil (oil degradation).
3. System design issues or clogged pump suction filters.

Recommended Solutions
IKM Ocean Team has many years of experience with solving fluid problems in technical systems. We are leading in providing ‘Total Purity Solutions’ and specialists in solving the unique challenge of the individual customer. 

In our world, no jobs are identical; there will always appear variations in both the definition of the job, the sources causing the challenge, the extent of consequences, the technical system and/or precautions to be taking into account. Different needs and challenges do also require different solutions. 

Our recommended solutions for removal of cavitations and air bobbles must therefore bee seen as an example of which actions we would apply in order to solve your challenges. Our recommendations are: 

1) Oil Degradation
I.     Take out representative dynamic oil sampling from live lubrication system.

II.    Send the sampling to IKM Ocean Team for a full spectrum analysis included additive package
       together with a sampling of the new lubricating oil as the reference for comparison. 

III.    The spectrum analysis report will include an evaluation of oil degradation and a solution will
        be discussed with the customer.

IV.    IKM Ocean Team’s experiences is that very often it is necessary to provide a lube oil flushing with turbulent flow velocity higher than RE>3000 of the lubrication oil system to remove contamination and water to stop the negative chemical reaction leading to oxidation, varnish, high temperature, low viscosity and low flash point. IKM Ocean Team can provide this successful oil flushing and in some cases we are able to provide this service without any production lost.

V.    After oil flushing, IKM Ocean Team is able to implement a necessary “IKM Ocean Team Oil Care Program” including periodical trend oil analysis and installation of an oil purification system for preventive maintenance of the oil and lubricating system which enhances the oil quality, restores the lubricating oil viscosity, augments the flash point and improve operational performance and finally secure you a safe and money saving continued operation.

2) System Design Issues or Clogged Pump Suction Filters
I.    Check with machine suppliers for specifications and check for lack of same. IKM Ocean Team are able to assist you by implementing the machine supplier’s requirements and recommendations.

For further information – contact us at:
T:    +45 7518 0077
E:    group.ikmoceanteam@dk.ikm.com
www.ikm.com/ikm-ocean-team

Sources:

• Jim Fitch, Lube-Tips Newsletter published by Noria Corporation, July 14th 2004: http://www.lube-tips.com/focus/2004_07_14_ submit_version.htm
• “Removing Entrained Air in Hydraulic Fluids and Lubrication Oils” by R. Suzuki – Opus System Inc., Y. Tanaka – Hosei University, G.E. Totten – G.E. Totten & Associates LLC, published in ‘Machinery Lubrica-tion’ (7/2002): http://www.machinerylubrication.com/articles/print/373