Breather Solutions
sorted by Industry

1. Automotive

Lubricant service trucks have tanks or reservoirs for different grades of motor oils, synthetic oils or hydraulic fluids used to support the lubrication needs of off road and construction equipment. These fluids must be kept clean during transit to maintain ISO cleanliness standards established by the OEM.

When choosing a breather for a mobile application, the Air Sentry® R-Series or XR-Series is the best solution for the physical and environmental application requirements. The R-Series is designed with a reinforced metal plate capable of with standing the high vibrations typically caused by off road conditions. The XR-Series incorporates the metal base plate of the R-Series for high vibration requirements and the check valves of the X-Series for high humidity and dust environments, along with a replacement desiccant cartridge for affordability.

Remotely mounting the breather may be necessary to keep oil from splashing into the breather. The Splash Sentry™ adapter, available in either the 1” or 2” NPT, compliments the R-Series or XR -Series breather, to help protect the silica gel from being contaminated with splashing oil.

Recommended Breather-Series:

X-Series
R-Series
XR-Series
Splash Sentry adapter
Guardian

Automotive Industry

X-Series Breathers

Splash Sentry Anodized Steel Adapter

2. Bulk Material Handling

Bulk material handling terminals load, unload and store material such as coal, aggregate and ore. The conveyor systems are used to move various materials. Each system is equipped with large drives, gearboxes and bearings that have oil and lubrication reservoirs.

Air Sentry® breathers provide protection from airborne dust and moisture. For extreme conditions, such as a bulk material facility where dust and dirt are a constant, we recommend the X-Series breathers for maintaining clean, dry oils and greases in your equipment.

The X-Series breathers incorporate check valves in the top cap to extend the life of the filter media and desiccant.

Recommended Breather-Series:

X-Series

The Guardian

Bulk Material Handling

The Guardian

X-Series Breathers
Breather X-Series

3. Cement Industry

Cement and aggregate facilities are dusty, dirty, humid environments. Sand, gravel, crushed stone and water are in use in many forms throughout the facility.

Keeping solid particles and water vapor out of oils and machinery is important. Mobile equipment such as cranes and shovels are used to move materials around the facility or place them on conveyor systems. They are also used to dig or dredge the sand and gravel from lakes, rivers and streams.

Hydraulic systems and gearboxes on the mobile equipment are subjected to dust and humidity continuously. Protecting the oils from water vapor and solid particulates keeps the systems running smoothly.

Bulk material handling terminals load, unload and store the fine and coarse aggregates. The conveyor systems are used to move various materials. Each system is equipped with large drives, gearboxes and bearings that have oil and lubrication reservoirs.

Air Sentry® breathers provide protection from airborne dust and moisture. For extreme conditions, like what can be found on equipment in a cement and aggregate facility, many breathers can be used. The M-Series breathers provide rugged steel housings for the most extreme conditions. The XR-Series combines the strength of the steel base plate with the controlled airflow of check valves in an economical disposable cartridge.

For applications where vibration or rough ground isn’t an issue, the X-Series breathers contain two check valves in the top cap to protect the breather and equipment from air ingression unless it’s necessary.

Recommended Breather-Series:

M-Series Breathers

4. Draglines and Shovel

Draglines and shovels are used in civil engineering and surface mining operations and are some of the largest pieces of heavy equipment built. The ropes and chains used to move the boom and bucket are powered by electric or diesel motors. Open pit draglines and shovels operate in some of the most challenging and harsh environments in the world. Dust and dirt, as well as humidity, are a constant threat to the fluids and oils used in the gearboxes, swing cases, fuels and hydraulic systems.

Dragline and shovel operators rely on oil analysis to alert operators to developing problems. Air Sentry® breathers are used as an integral part of the program to protect the equipment and keep the fluids clean and dry.

The best solution is the Air Sentry® XR-Series breathers for extreme applications, where dust, dirt, moisture and vibration are all part of the standard operating conditions.

Recommended Breather-Series:

All Series

XR-Series Breathers

The Air Sentry Breather Family

5. Fuel Storage

Fuel storage tanks located indoors, outdoors and underground are subject to accumulations of moisture and dust though vent caps. The cleaner the fuel, the more reliably it will perform when used. Tanks store fuel for vehicles and equipment used at construction sites, shipyards, sawmills, petrochemical plants, rail yards, mines, quarries, manufacturing plants, etc.

Outdoor storage locations are subject to the extremes of the environment. Local environmental regulations often mandate use of biodegradable fuels in order to protect ground water, should a leak occur in the underground storage tanks.

Air flow requirements for all fuel storage tanks are complicated heavy vapors that are released by the fuels. These heavy vapors can overwhelm desiccant breathers in a short period of time. A bypass or shut off valve should be installed between the tank vent and the breather to allow the heavy vapors to escape to atmosphere, instead of through the breather.

At the right, two Air Sentry® X-122 breathers are mounted on a manifold, as an example of the type of bypass or shut off valve that should be used. A two way valve permits heavy vapors to vent to atmosphere during the filling of the fuel tank.

Products used in Lubricant Reservoirs:

Guardian-Series
Compound Indicating Gauge
High-Capacity Air Filter
Modular Stackable Ring™
Shield Wash-Down Cap
D-Series

Adapters

Drum Adapter Kit
Slip Fit Bayonet Adapters
Slip Fit Female Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Male Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Flange Adapters
Slip Fit Threaded Spin-On Adapters
Splash Adapter
Threaded Metal Adapters
Oil Sample Ports

Fuel storage

Air Sentry X-122 breathers

High Capacity Air Filter

Drum adapter kits with colour-coded quick connects

Guardian on manifold

6. Gearboxes

Gearboxes are used on various types of industrial machinery to provide increased torque while reducing speed from one type of rotating power source to another using gear ratios. A gearbox can be set up to do the opposite and provide an increase in speed with a reduction of torque. Some of the simplest gearboxes merely change the physical direction in which power is transmitted.

Gearboxes are used in many applications, such as wind turbines, conveyors, draglines, bridges, wastewater treatment pumping systems, and many other large pieces of machinery that require a power source.

The Air Sentry® X100 is the most commonly recommended breather for gearboxes. Airflow requirements for gearboxes are usually very low, as the fluid level rarely changes. Dual check valves in the top cap open at minimal pressure changes, allowing air to flow in and out as needed while maximizing the life of the silica gel.

Replacement silica gel cartridges allow for easy, economical change out that create no down time for the equipment being protected from dirt and moisture.

Products used in Gearboxes

Breathers:

Guardian-Series
Compound Indicating Gauge
High-Capacity Air Filter
Modular Stackable Ring™
Shield Wash-Down Cap
D-Series
L-Series
M-Series
R-Series
XR-Series
X-Series
Z-Series

Adapters

Gearbox Adapter Kit
Slip Fit Bayonet Adapters
Slip Fit Female Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Male Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Threaded Spin-On Adapters
Splash Adapter
Threaded Metal Adapters
Oil Sample Ports

Gearboxes

X100 Breather

X-series desiccant breathers X100

Compound Indicating Gauge
Compound Gauge A655

Threaded metal adapters

7. Hydraulic Reservoirs

Air Sentry® breathers are used in many industries, on many types of equipment, to protect the hydraulic fluids within the reservoirs from dirt and moisture present in the air and surrounding environment. Hydraulic systems consist of three parts: a hydraulic pump driven by a motor, valves to guide the system, and the motor. Hydraulic fluids and oils are stored in a reservoir attached to the hydraulic system. Hydraulic reservoirs vary in terms of capacity, but need to be large enough to accommodate the thermal expansion of fluids and changes in fluid level due to normal system operation. Hydraulic cylinders and pumps move the hydraulic fluid through the system, powering the hydraulic drive system.

If the hydraulic fluid is not kept free from dirt and moisture, it can degrade over time and create wear in the system or lead to a breakdown of equipment. Fluid contamination is the primary cause of component wear and shortened fluid life in hydraulic systems. Hydraulic fluid will last 3 to 4 times as long if kept clean and dry.

Products used in Hydraulic Reservoirs

Breathers and Accessories:

Guardian-Series
Compound Indicating Gauge
High-Capacity Air Filter
Modular Stackable Ring™
Shield Wash-Down Cap
D-Series
M-Series
R-Series
X-Series
Z-Series

Adapters

Bayonet Adapters
Domed Flange Adapter Kit
Hydraulic Reservoir Adapter Kit
Slip Fit Bayonet Adapters
Slip Fit Female Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Male Threaded Adapters
Slip Fit Flange Adapters
Slip Fit Threaded Spin-On Adapters
Splash Adapter
Threaded Metal Adapters
Oil Sample Ports

Hydraulic reservoirs

The Guardian

Guardian breathers

Guardian with shield wash-down cap

Domed flange adapter

8. Railroad Maintenance Off-Way Equipment

Railroad Maintenance Off-Way equipment is used to clean, maintain and repair railroad tracks. Hydraulic systems are used to remove and insert new spikes, replace the ties, and move the rail. When this equipment is dispatched to perform maintenance, there is a limited window of opportunity to work before the next train comes along.

Depending on the type of equipment and the job it does, the environment can be very dusty. Hydraulic systems that enable the machine to do the required work must be reliable and free of moisture and dirt.

Equipment vibration is a major concern, as the equipment travels down the track. A major US Railroad was concerned that the standard disposable breathers might not withstand the hours of vibration.

Air Sentry, in conjunction with the railroad, developed the R-Series breathers. The R-Series offer a steel reinforced base plate designed to withstand the vibration. In order to maintain a positive pressure of 5 psi required on certain hydraulic reservoirs, the A306 Pressure Relief valve is used with the R-111 breather.

Recommended Breather-Series:

Railroad

R-Series Breathers

The Guardian

9. Steel

The environment inside steel mills is hot, dusty and often humid. These conditions make desiccant breathers a necessity for companies who establish ISO standards for their lubricants and work to maximize plant efficiencies.

The typical applications found in steel mills include hydraulic systems, gearboxes, and lubrication systems. Some hydraulic systems are large (5000 gallons) and require multiple breathers to accommodate the maximum air flow requirements.

With hot, humid conditions, steel production is a prime example of an extreme environment where oils must be protected from moisture ingression. Air Sentry® breathers installed on equipment will protect against water in the oil.

Recommended Breather-Series:

All Breathers

Steel industry

All Air Sentry Breathers

10. Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment plants vary in design to meet federal, state and local regulations. Most facilities have similar equipment and applications for desiccant breathers. Typical applications include lubrication reservoirs on wastewater pumps, gearboxes and hydraulic systems.

Pumps move wastewater step by step throughout the process. Gearboxes are found on equipment such as rotating biological contactors (RBC), clarifiers and conveyors. Most of the processing equipment is located outdoors, subject to the high humidity in the area and exposed to extremes of weather.

The gearbox on the right is located at the end of a Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC). Inside are panels or media discs which support the process of breaking down solid waste.

An Air Sentry® X100 desiccant breather was chosen for this application to help extend the useful life of the synthetic lubricant. Compared to other brands, the check valve design may double the life of the silica gel desiccant. Moisture blocked by the breather is adsorbed, causing gold to green color change, making it easy to see when it is time to change out the breather.

Recommended Breather-Series:

All Breathers

Wastewater treatment

All Breathers

Air Sentry breather family

Gearbox

X100 desiccant breather Air Sentry

11. Wind Turbines

The wind energy industry has grown substantially over the last few years. Protecting the planet’s natural resources is a growing desire for many. On a wind farm, windmills generate the electric power necessary. These windmills are powered by large gearboxes and hydraulic systems.

Preventative maintenance on these systems is scheduled over long periods of time. Protecting the oils in the reservoirs and gearboxes is critical, not only because of the extended maintenance schedule, but also because replacing these oils creates a demand for more of the natural resources we are preserving.

Large gearboxes are used to position the windmills. Hydraulic systems change the pitch of the blades. Both systems work together to maximize the efficiency of the windmill and to shut down the windmill during storms.

Wind Turbines harness the wind’s energy to protect the earth’s natural resources. Using an Air Sentry® breather to protect the life of the oils in a wind turbine will conserve the oils in use.

Air Sentry® GUARDIAN® breathers are the best solution for this application, allowing for extended time between maintenance intervals. The GUARDIAN Series combine multiple check valves at top, exhausted air sent to atmosphere and an internal isolation check valve to eliminate any gear oil mist or splashing. It also has a metal reinforced plate molded into the bottom cap, to withstand vibration.

The XR-Series is the next best solution and combines the features of the X-Series, incorporating check valves to allow air movement only when necessary, and the R-Series, incorporating the metal reinforced base plate for high vibration.

The GUARDIAN and XR-Series have the added benefit of replacement desiccant cartridges, reducing the waste going into our landfills.

Recommended Breather-Series:

X-Series
R-Series
XR-Series
Splash Sentry adapter
Guardian

Windturbines

The Guardian

XR-Series Breathers

Breather XR-series

Breather Solutionssorted by Industry

1. Automotive

2. Bulk Material Handling

3. Cement Industry

4. Draglines and Shovel

5. Fuel Storage

6. Gearboxes

7. Hydraulic Reservoirs

8. Railroad Maintenance Off-Way Equipment

9. Steel

10. Wastewater Treatment

11. Wind Turbines

Breather Solutions
sorted by Industry