Fluid & Filtration Solutions | Smart Bubble System

Air in Oil: A Critical Challenge for Fluid & Filtration Solutions

Efficient fluid and filtration management is essential for the performance, longevity, and safety of industrial systems as well as on- and off-highway vehicles. Contamination, air bubbles, and oxidation in oil compromise lubrication and hydraulic systems, reduce energy efficiency, and shorten the lifespan of critical components.

Traditional methods such as periodic oil sampling, mechanical degassers, or additives do not provide real-time monitoring, often resulting in unnecessary oil changes or unexpected system failures. Additionally, indirect (capacitive) measurements lack sufficient accuracy and reproducibility

Challenges for Machine & Plant Operators

Efficiency & Filtration Performance: Air bubbles in oil impair lubrication and filtration efficiency. This leads to inefficient power transmission, faster filter clogging, and increased energy costs in lubrication and tank systems.
Maintenance Strategy & Operating Costs: Without real-time monitoring, oil changes and filter maintenance are based on fixed intervals rather than actual operating conditions. This results in unnecessary servicing, higher costs, and reduced system availability.
Lifespan & Material Fatigue: Air in oil accelerates oxidation, promotes deposit formation, and reduces viscosity. This shortens the lifespan of seals, lubricants, and filtration systems.

Challenges for Components & Systems

Lubrication Systems & Oil Conditioning: Air in oil causes uneven lubrication, reduces lubrication film thickness, and promotes oxidation, significantly increasing wear on bearings, gearboxes, and hydraulic systems.
Tank & Storage Systems: Air intrusion in tanks can degrade oil quality, cause foaming, and disrupt lubricant homogeneity. This increases the risk of deposits and reduces filtration efficiency.
Fluid Processing & Seals: Air bubbles and oxidation reduce the effectiveness of sealing systems and filters, leading to leaks, insufficient filtration, and shortened maintenance intervals.

The SBS Advantage – Increased Efficiency & Cost Reduction for Fluid & Filtration Solutions

Air in oil reduces system performance, accelerates component wear, and increases operating costs. By utilizing an innovative, machine-vision-based direct air-in-oil measurement, the Smart Bubble System provides precise data to optimize maintenance cycles, filtration strategies, and product design and testing phases.

Through precise analysis of air bubble dynamics and air content, valuable insights into oxidation behavior and lubricant degradation are gained. This allows operators to implement data-driven maintenance strategies, maximize system availability, and reduce operating costs. For manufacturers of fluid and filtration solutions, fully validated measurement results can now be incorporated into product and system optimization.

Maximum Fluid Quality & Operational Efficiency

The SBS detects air bubbles and oxidation in real time, maximizing lubricant quality and preventing performance losses. This improves filtration performance, increases energy efficiency, and extends lubricant service life.

Reduced Maintenance & Operating Costs

Accurate air-in-oil analysis optimizes maintenance intervals. Unnecessary oil and filter changes are eliminated, downtime is minimized, and operating costs are reduced by maintaining stable oil quality over extended periods.

Extended Lifespan & Product Development

The SBS provides precise data on air bubble dynamics and lubricant quality, enabling engineers to refine filtration concepts and degassing solutions. This reduces test phases, shortens time-to-market for new systems, and maximizes component durability.

Test & Use the SBS for Fluid and Filtration Solutions

The SBS technology portfolio includes two complementary test setups for analyzing air in oil under real-world conditions—either directly in application or in a controlled laboratory environment.

SBS-ST: Controlled Stationary Measurements

Tests filtration efficiency & air content in fluid circuits under realistic conditions.
Ideal for filter manufacturers & lubricant developers to maximize oil purity & longevity.

SBS-ME: In-Line Real-Time Measurements

Continuous monitoring of air ingress in lubrication & hydraulic oils during operation.
Optimizes filtration efficiency, reduces foaming & ensures reliable system functionality.