Massive elevator hydraulic fluid contamination water

We have always had a challenge when we have water contaminate the hydraulic fluid in elevator systems.  It could be from a water pipe breaking in the machine room or the pit flooding and a rec pump, pumping water back into the reservoir.  What do you do?

There is a wonderful device from Gorman that filters hydraulic fluid and removes the water from the hydraulic fluid.  Typically when we have water contamination we remove as much hydraulic fluid as we can and replace it and put this machine on for 30-60 days and the contamination is gone, no problem we move on to the next building.

Recently we had a building where a pipe broke and we misjudged exactly how much water was in the hydraulic system.  The amount of water must have been so massive it pushed 40-60 gallons of oil out of the hydraulic system.  Water is heavier than oil so it will sink so and the water kept coming in, the elevator kept running, the hydraulic fluid was pushed out the top and down the floor drain with the other water and eventually most of the tank was probably water, and water was in the hydraulic line and cylinder.  What we found was that the water bonded with the oil and created a white liquid that would not separate with the water/oil machine running.

We ended up replacing the oil twice and changing the filter on the water/oil separator machine and finally got the results we wanted.  What we learned from the situation was we need to be a bit more careful when we have water enter an elevator’s hydraulic system. We assumed there was 10 gallons of water or less in the elevator system.  In reality it was more like 40-60 gallons of water, about 50% of the total volume in the hydraulic reservoir. 

Bottle #1- This is typical water/oil separation when I took some oil from our supply and pour water in it, clean separation.

Bottle #2 - Sample after we replaced the oil the first time and put the separator on.

Bottle #3 - Sample after we had the separator on for 60 days.

Bottle #4 - Sample after had replaced the oil the 2nd time and changed the separators filter and let it run for 30 more days.

What can happen with a water contaminated oil?  It will eventually rust out the elevator’s valve.  Rust in the valve will cause shut downs and the elevator may not level properly.

We had a very patient building who worked with us through the ultimate solution to their issue and we finally got an acceptable fluid composition.  I have been working in elevators for 23 years and have never seen such a massive amount of water enter an elevator hydraulic system.  The most unique part of this specific situation is the white liquid that was created by the bonding of the oil and water.  The samples have each been sitting out at least 30 days.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

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