A hydraulic circuit is a system where liquid flows through separate parts. It’s used to generate power, cool hot systems, and provide pressure to machinery. They’re commonly found in large machines and have a pump, working component, and holding tank. They’re used in power plants to heat water and generate power, cool equipment, and assist systems in creating periodic pressure.
A hydraulic circuit is any system in which a liquid flows in a complete circle through separate and discrete parts. To be a true circuit, fluid must flow through multiple components. When the fluid is contained within a single component, it is a hydraulic system, but not a hydraulic circuit. There are three main reasons for using a hydraulic circuit: to generate power, to cool hot systems, and to provide pressure to hydraulic machinery.
The most common place to find a hydraulic circuit is in a large machine or industrial complex. Only in places like these is there enough space to house all the constituent parts of the circuit. Since hydraulic circuits must be made in separate pieces, they often require much more space than other hydraulic systems. While some circuit systems are quite small, these are much less common.
Generally, the hydraulic circuits are made in a similar way regardless of the purpose for which they are used. Most hydraulic systems have a pump and piping to move the liquid. Next, they have a working component, the item the liquid is actually used for. This can be a wide variety of things, but it’s always there. If the fluid changes form, for example from a liquid to a gas, the plant will have a holding tank to return the material to a liquid state.
The use of a hydraulic circuit for the production of energy is very common, as many modern power plants work by heating water. The water is heated, which causes it to expand and flow, sometimes turning into steam. Flowing water or steam passes a turbine and spins it, generating power. The water moves to a containment system, where it cools down so it can be reused. The steam moves into a purge chamber and, as it cools, turns back into water.
When liquid is used for cooling equipment, it generally doesn’t actually interact with the object it is cooling. In this case, instead of being in line with the sheet item, it’s right next to it. The cold liquid is pumped past the hot machinery, pulling the heat with it. The hot liquid continues past the component, where it is allowed to cool for reuse.
The last common use for a hydraulic circuit is in general hydraulic systems. Because the liquid flows easily, but doesn’t compress much, it is well suited to assist systems in creating periodic pressure. The liquid flows into the system, where it is trapped by hermetic seals. The hydraulic system uses the additional pressure and the liquid can flow out. This is similar to, but separate from, a typical hydraulic system, where fluid is always within the component.
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