Pros of Magnetic Drain Plugs

Magnetic drain plugs have a number of awesome assets and you should consider all these at the
time of making this decision.

· The flow restriction that is created by the oil filter will be less as the metal particles are
attracted to the metal plug and there is less gunk in it. The oil will flow more easily through the
engine. This will enhance the lifespan and health of your engine.

· These are cheaper than the disposable filters and are highly reusable. Though you will need to
install a standard filter, its lifespan will be enhanced and it will function in the optimum way for
a longer period of time.

· It is less likely that your engine will experience oil oxidation. This happens because of the
particles contributing to the process of oxidation will be attracted and adhering to the magnet.

· If something goes wrong with the engine and you need to identify harmful particles then you
can use the magnetic pump for testing the samples. At the time of oil change, the amount of
particles on the plug can also provide indication of the problem. If there is a sudden
augmentation of the deposits then you can seek for a mechanic who can perform the repairs if
anything if anything has really gone wrong.

Cons of Magnetic Drain Plugs

Like every good things these, too, have their own set of cons. You need to consider these at the
time of taking the decision.

· The magnetic drain plugs will not let you identify any of the non-magnetised particles that may
be present in your engine.

· If left over for an extended period of time the particles that remain attached to the plug over
time could get detached as big lumps and can create issue in the engine. A magnetic separator in
the line can make this issue less likely. But it is definitely something that should be considered as
the high rate of oil flow happens to be a contributory factor.

· Cleaning the plugs happens to be a troublesome job. Since the plugs are reusable they have to
be cleaned when the oil needs to be changed. In order to remove the particles from the magnetic
plug you need to use an air hose. This may give rise to safety concerns. You have to protect your
skin from the tiny particles. Moreover, you should also use goggles in order to prevent the
particles from getting into the eye.

If you have access to the right tools to properly clean and maintain your magnetic drain plug or
if your mechanic agrees to do the needful then this plug is a great choice for enhancing the
longevity of your engine. But if you are concerned about the large particles moving around freely
in the oil or the usage of the air hose intimidates you then you should think twice before opting
for this. So weigh your options and understand your need to decide whether you want to go for
this for your engine.
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Magnetic Drain Plug: Pros and Cons
Magnetic drain plugs are very effective at removing metallic particles from
circulation within the engine. To decide whether or not a magnetic drain
plug is right for your car, compare the pros and cons of magnetic drain
plugs, consider your automotive needs, and use these considerations as a
basis for your decision.

Pros of Magnetic Drain Plugs

Magnetic oil plugs have many fantastic assets, all of which should be
considered when weighing this decision.

They're highly reusable, and cheaper than disposable filters. While you will
still need to use a standard oil filter, its lifespan will be increased and it will
function closer to its optimum for longer.

Because many metal particles are now attracted to your drain plug, and
the oil filter has less gunk on it, the flow restriction created by your oil
filter will be decreased. Oil will flow more easily through your engine, and
this will increase the lifespan and health of your engine.

It is less likely that you will experience oil oxidation, as particles that
contribute to the process of oxidation will adhere to the magnet.

If something goes wrong with your engine and you need to identify
harmful particles, samples can be taken from the magnetic plug. The
amount of particles on the plug at the time of oil change can also provide
an indication of problems—if there is a sudden increase, you can seek out
the aid of a mechanic or perform repairs before the problem becomes
serious.
Cons of Magnetic Drain Plugs
While the pros of magnetic oil plugs are significant, there are some
drawbacks to be aware of when making the decision to use a magnetic
plug.

The particles that attach to the plug, if left over time, could detach as a big
lump and cause major problems in the engine. A magnetic separator in
the line can make this problem less likely, but it is definitely something to
consider, especially since a high rate of oil flow is a contributing factor.

The magnetic plug won't do anything to help you identify non-magnetized

particles that may be in your engine.

Cleaning these plugs is a messy job. Because they're reusable, they have
to be cleaned when the oil is changed. To remove the particles from the
magnetic drain plug, you will need to use an air hose, and safety concerns
may arise. You will have to protect your skin from the tiny particles, and
the possibility of getting one in your eye if the air hose is used unsafely
makes goggles a strong recommendation.

Weighing the Options

If you have access to the tools necessary to properly clean and maintain
your magnetic drain plug, or if your mechanic performs your oil changes
and doesn't mind the hassle, these plugs are probably a good choice for
you, and will help to reduce wear on your engine. If you're concerned
about large particle clumps letting loose in your oil flow, or if the idea of
using an air hose to blast small metal shavings off of a tiny plug sounds
intimidating, it might be best to leave the oil drain plug in place.
Magnetic Filtration Applications and
Benefits
Bennett Fitch, Noria Corporation
Oil filtration in automotive and industrial machinery is essential to achieving optimum
performance, reliability and longevity. Lubricant cleanliness is highly important and
lubrication practitioners are provided with numerous options for filtering and controlling
contamination, including disposable filters, cleanable filters, strainers and centrifugal
separators.
This article discusses the mechanism of particle separation and reviews the many
applications of magnetic filters and separators in the lubrication industry today. A brief guide
to commercial filtration products is also presented.
From its origin in the beneficiation of iron ores, the magnet has played a prominent role in
the separation of ferrous solids from fluid streams. Even in the control of contamination from
in-service lubricants and hydraulic fluids, magnetic separation and filtration technology has
found a useful niche.
Currently, there are a number of conventional and advanced products on the market that
employ the use of magnets in various configurations and geometry.

Role of Magnetic Filters

Car owners, car mechanics, equipment operators, maintenance technicians and reliability
engineers know the importance of clean oil in achieving machine reliability. Tribologists and
used oil analysts are also aware that in some machines as much as 90 percent of all
particles suspended in the oil can be ferromagnetic (iron or steel particles).
Typically, one or both lubricated sliding or rolling surfaces will have iron or steel metallurgy.
These include frictional surfaces in gearing, rolling-element bearings, piston/cylinders, etc.
While it is true that conventional mechanical filters can remove particles in the same size
range as magnetic filters, the majority of these filters are disposable and incur a cost for
each gram of particles removed.
There are other penalties for using conventional filtration, including energy/power
consumption due to flow restriction caused by the fine pore-size filter media. As pores
become plugged with particles, the restriction increases proportionally, causing the power
needed to filter the oil to escalate.

How do Magnetic Filters Work?

While a large number of configurations exist, most magnetic filters work by producing a
magnetic field or loading zones that collect magnetic iron and steel particles. Magnets are
geometrically arranged to form a magnetic field having a nonuniform flux density (flux
density is also referred to as magnetic strength) (Figure 1).
Particles are most effectively separated when there is a strong magnetic gradient (rate of
change of field strength with distance) from low to high. In other words, the higher the
magnetic gradient, the stronger the attracting magnetic force acting on particles drawing
them toward the loading zones. The strength of the magnetic gradient is determined by flux
density, spacing and alignment of the magnets.
Various types of magnets can be used in these filters (see sidebar). Magnets used in some
filters can have flux density (magnetic strength) as high as 28,000 gauss. Compare this
level to an ordinary refrigerator magnet of between 60 and 80 gauss. The higher the flux
density, the higher the potential magnetic gradient and magnetic force acting on nearby iron
and steel particles.
While there are many configurations of magnetic filters and separators used in process
industries, the following are general classifications for common magnetic products used in
lubricating oil and hydraulic fluid applications.

Magnetic Plug
The most basic type of magnetic filter is a drain plug (Figure 2), where a magnet in the
shape of a disc or cylinder is attached to its inside surface (typically by adhesion).
Periodically, the magnetic plug (mag-plug) is removed and inspected for ferromagnetic
particles, which are then wiped from the plug.
Today, such plugs are commonly used in engine oil pans, gearboxes and occasionally in
hydraulic reservoirs. One useful advantage of mag-plugs relates to examining the density of
wear particles observed as a visual indication of the wear rate occurring within the machine
over a fixed period of running time.
The appearance of these iron filings on magnets are often described in inspection reports
using terms such as peach fuzz, whiskers or Christmas trees. If one normally sees peach
fuzz, but on one occasion sees a Christmas tree instead, this would be a reportable
condition requiring further inspection and remediation. After all, abnormal wear produces
abnormal amounts of wear debris, leading to an abnormal collection of debris on magnetic
plugs.

Rod Magnets
While magnetic plugs are inserted into the oil below the oil level (for example, drain port),
rod magnets may extend down from reservoir tops (Figure 3), special filter canisters (Figure
4) or within the centertube of a standard filter element.
hese collectors consist of a series of rings or toroidal-shaped magnets assembled axially
onto a metal rod. Between the magnets are spacers where the magnetic gradient is the
highest, serving as the loading zone for the particles to collect.
Periodically the rods are removed, inspected and wiped clean with a rag or lint-free cloth. A
conceptual example of a particular rod magnet filter is shown in Figure 1. When the rod is
removed, the sheath or shroud can be slid off the magnet core to remove the collected
debris. This debris can then be prepared for microscopic analysis to aid in assessing
machine condition.
Flow-through Magnetic Filters
Figure 5 illustrates an example of a commercially available flow-through filter.
In this configuration, sold by Fluid Condition Systems under the MAGNOM trademark, the
magnets are sandwiched between metal collection plates that have specific flow slots
(Figure 6).
As fluid passes through the slots, ferromagnetic particles accumulate in the gap between
the plates. However, they do not interfere with flow (clogging), or risk particles being
washed off by viscous drag.
One advantage of flow-through magnetic filters is the large amount of debris they hold
before cleaning is required. The cleaning process typically involves removing the filter core
and blowing the debris out from between the collection plates with an air hose.

Spin-on Filter Magnetic Wraps

There are several suppliers of magnetic wraps, coils or similar devices intended for use on
the exterior of spin-on filter canisters (Figures 7a-c). Spin-on filters are commonly used in
the automotive industry but are also utilized in a number of low-pressure industrial
applications.
These wraps transmit a magnetic field through the steel filter bowl (can) in order for
ferromagnetic debris to be held tightly against the internal surface of the bowl, allowing the
filter to operate normally while extending the service life. Unlike the conventional filter
element, the magnetic filter wrap can be used repeatedly.

Factors Influencing Magnetic Separating

Action
There are a variety of magnets and ways in which magnetic filters and separators can be
configured in a product’s design. In fact, there is much more to their performance than
simply the strength or gradient of the magnetic field.
For instance, the size and design of the flow chamber, total surface area of the magnetic
loading zones, and the flow path and residence time of the oil are all important design
factors. These factors influence the rate of separation, the size of particles being separated
and the total capacity of particles retained by the separator.
The magnetic force acting on a particle is proportional to the volume of the particle, but is
disproportional to the diameter of the particle (magnetic force varies with the cube of the
particle’s diameter). For instance, a two-micron particle is eight times more attracted to a
magnetic field than to a one-micron particle. This means large ferromagnetic particles are
disproportionately easier to separate from a fluid compared to smaller particles.
The separating force is proportional to the magnetic field gradient and also to the particle
magnetization (magnetic susceptibility). Particle magnetization relates to the degree to
which the particle’s material composition is influenced by a magnetic field.
The most strongly attracted materials are particles made of iron and steel, however, red iron
oxide (rust) and high-alloy steel (for example, stainless steel) are weakly attracted to
magnetic fields. Conversely, some nonferrous compounds such as nickel, cobalt and
certain ceramics are known to have strong magnetic attraction. Materials that cannot be
picked up with a magnet (such as aluminum) are called paramagnetic substances.
There are also competing forces which resist particle separation from the fluid. One such
force is oil velocity which imparts inertia and viscous drag on the particle in the direction of
the fluid flow. Depending on the design of the magnetic filter, the fluid velocity may send the
particle on a trajectory toward or away from the magnetic field or perhaps in a tangential
direction.
The competing viscous force is also proportional to both the particle’s diameter and the oil
viscosity. If
the particle’s diameter or the oil’s viscosity doubles, then the hydrodynamic frictional drag
doubles accordingly (resistance to separation).
Complicating the situation further, as mentioned above, the magnetic attraction increases
by a factor of eight when a particle’s diameter doubles, while the competing viscous drag
sees only a 2X multiple. This further emphasizes the fact that larger particles are more
easily separated than small particles, even in an environment of considerable viscous drag.
Particle capture efficiency by magnetic technology can be narrowed down to these
fundamental factors:
1. Particles that are the easiest to separate are large (100 microns vs. 5 microns) and
highly magnetic (for example, iron and low-alloy steel).
2. The fluid conditions that best facilitate the separation of magnetic particles are low oil
viscosity (ISO VG 32 vs. ISO VG 320 for instance) and low oil flow rate (2 GPM vs.
50 GPM). Even extremely small, one-micron particles can be separated from the oil
if both of these fluid conditions exist concurrently.
3. The most effective magnetic filters employ high-flux magnets and are arranged in
such a way that a high-gradient magnetic field develops.