Rummel FlowOil: per-circuit visibility in oil temperature control
FlowOil is a multi-circuit distribution system developed for mold temperature control circuits running on heat transfer oil. It distributes oil up to 200 °C to several mold circuits and measures and monitors flow and temperature in every circuit. The system can be used in open and closed circuits; the maximum operating pressure is 15 bar.
What is different about working with oil
The heat-carrying capacity of heat transfer oil is lower than that of water; more flow is needed to carry the same heat, and a small drop in flow causes a more pronounced deviation in local temperature than with water. When the oil ages and thickens over time, or deposits build up in the circuit, this drop progresses quietly. Seeing the flow circuit by circuit is therefore even more important in oil-controlled molds than in water circuits.
Measuring principle and range
In FlowOil the flow is detected by a mechatronic measuring system; the measuring range is 0.3–25 L/min per circuit. The measured values are flow and temperature. The manufacturer states that the measuring and monitoring function can be designed to customer-specific application requirements; in other words, which values are monitored in which circuits and the alarm logic can be set up per project.
The circuits are set with manual shut-off ball valves. The system triggers an alarm when limit values are reached; process documentation and storage of mold parameters are also available to the user.
Process and energy side
- Heat transfer in the mold improves
- With no hose bridges, pressure loss falls
- Because the circuits are separate, a faulty circuit is located precisely
- Specific zones of the mold can be adjusted individually
- Fouling shows up as a drop in flow, the alarm comes before scrap
- Total installation cost and energy consumption fall
The emphasis on energy is especially meaningful in oil systems: long hoses carrying 200 °C oil mean considerable heat loss. Installing the distributor close to the mold reduces this loss and the spread of hot surfaces in the working area.
Technical data
| Feature | Value |
|---|
| Circuit control | Manual shut-off ball valves |
| Measuring principle | Mechatronic |
| Measuring range | 0.3–25 L/min |
| Main distribution connection | 1" female thread |
| Mold circuit connection | 1/2" female thread |
| Material | Parts in contact with the medium in brass and stainless steel |
| Seal | FKM (Viton) |
| Medium | Heat transfer oils |
| Max. temperature | 200 °C |
| Max. operating pressure | 15 bar |
| Modular design | Manifold with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 stations; up to 100 circuits by cascade connection |
Suitable temperature control unit and alternatives
You will find the oil units to feed FlowOil on the oil temperature control units page. If no electronic monitoring is needed and only parallel distribution of the oil is wanted, the Rummel parallel distributor, which is also used with heat transfer oil up to 180 °C, is the simpler option. For applications running on water up to 180 °C, the FlowHot with the same measuring principle is suitable.
