Influence of differently viscous hydraulic fluid on the flow behaviour inside a hydraulic tank

The viscosity of a hydraulic fluid is certainly one of the most important material properties of a fluid, as it affects a whole range of phenomena in the hydraulic system and the operation of the entire system. Among other things, it affects the efficiency of the hydraulic device directly. Thus, the development of hydraulic fluids goes in the direction of fluids with lower viscosity, which, in turn, results in different flow behaviour and processes inside the hydraulic tank. The paper presents the results of a study of the flow conditions in a small hydraulic tank for cases of different fluid viscosities. The results were obtained based on a detailed simulation of conditions inside the tank. Apart from the impact of the changed flow conditions, the lower viscosity of the liquid also influences the elimination of solid contaminants and air.