FILTER AND VALVE BASICS

FILTER

An oil filter is a device used to decontaminate oil that contains suspended impurities. A major application is in forming part of the lubrication system of engines in which filters are typically detachable units due to the need for regular service or replacement. The filtration of oil in engines is essential for enhancing longevity and performance

Mechanical

Mechanical designs employ a filtration element made up of layers of media, such as paper, to arrest various types of suspended contaminants. As material builds up on the filtration media, the efficiency of the filter is reduced and oil-flow is restricted. This requires the periodic replacement, or cleaning, of the filter or its media.
Bypass filters only act upon a portion of the engine oil flow, typically less than 10%, whereas those that filter the whole stream are known as full-flow filters. In some engine designs, a primary full-flow filter is accompanied by a secondary bypass filter, with the latter filtering particles too small for the primary. This dual-filter design can increase the time between subsequent servicing of the lubrication system.^[3]
Many full-flow mechanical filters incorporate an integrated pressure relief valve to allow a bypass mode. If the filtration element becomes completely clogged, this valve allows oil to bypass the filter, protecting the engine from oil starvation. The valve may also open in very cold conditions if a high viscosity oil is used.
There are two main designs for road-vehicle engines:

• Cartridge filters have a housing that is bolted to the engine and a removable cartridge contains the filtration element. The advantage of only having to remove the filtration element is that the seal between the engine block and filter is not disturbed.

• Spin-on filters attach directly to the side of the engine block by a threaded fitting. The main advantage is that used filters are easily removed and the whole filter is usually disposed of, but care must be taken not to over-tighten the new filter.

VALVES

A valve is a device that regulates the flow of substances (either gases, fluidized solids, slurries, or liquids) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but usually are discussed separately.
Valves are used in a variety of applications including industrial, military, commercial, residential, and transportation.
Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Mining, Water Reticulation, Sewerage & Chemical Manufacturing would constitute the majority of valves used by industry.
Plumbing valves are the most obvious in everyday life, taps for hot and cold water, gas control valves on cookers and barbecues, small valves fitted to washing machines and dishwashers, safety devices fitted to hot water systems are all simple valves.
Most valves are operated manually, either by a hand wheel or lever. Some valves are 'self operating' driven by changes in pressure, temperature or flow. These changes in pressure or temperature often act against springs or capsules filled with expanding substances. Examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or steam boilers.
Valves are also found in the Otto cycle (internal combustion) engines driven by a camshaft, lifters and or push rods where they play a major role in engine cycle control

Valve parts

Body & Bonnet.

Ports

Disc / Rotor / Valve Member

Seat

Stem

Bonnet

Spring

 Valve balls

Generic Type Valves

• Ball valve, for on/off control without pressure drop.
• Butterfly valve, for flow regulation in large pipe diameters.
• Choke valve: a valve that lifts up and down a solid cylinder which is placed around or inside another cylinder which has holes or slots. Used for high pressure drops found in oil & gas well heads.
• Check valve or Non-return valve, allows the fluid to pass in one direction only.
• Diaphragm valve, some are sanitary predominantly used in the pharmaceutical and foodstuff industry.
• Gate valve, mainly for on/off control, with low pressure drop.
• Globe valve, good for regulating flow.
• Knife valve, for slurries or powders on/off control.
• Needle valve for accurate flow control.
• Piston valve, for regulating fluids that carry solids in suspension.
• Pinch valve, for slurry flow regulation.
• Plug valve, slim valve for on/off control but with some pressure drop.