Coal Car Dumper Failure

Coal Car Dumper Failure

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We helped a client facing water contamination in their hydraulic system that paralyzed their coal car dumber.

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When water contaminates a hydraulic system, especially in large quantities relative to the reservoir size, it poses significant risks to system reliability, efficiency, and longevity. So when our client alerted us that 50 gallons of water had entered the 300-gallon hydraulic reservoir of the coal car dumper at their power plant, we knew immediate action had to be taken. 

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During the coldest part of winter, the water had frozen into ice, rendering the coal car dumper out of service. But even after inspecting the hydraulic system, the customer could not identify an apparent point of entry that would allow such a large amount of water to enter. While it could have been a top off from a drum of hydraulic oil stored outside and upright in the weather with water sitting on the top of the drum, their reservoir breathers and access points were secure.

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Upon contacting Bennett Filtration, our expert team was able to evaluate the issue and determine the best way to restore hydraulic operations and get the customer’s coal fuel supply up and running. 

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They then ordered a rental Vacuum Dehydrator equipped with a 12 kW heater to install on the reservoir. Bennett delivered and set up the Vacuum Dehydrator four hours after receiving the order. After two days the milky hydraulic oil was clear and water free, and the customer was back in business.