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Diagnostic · fluid compatibility

Will EdjeTech equipment work with my fluid?

EdjeTech equipment supports many water-based coolants, straight oils, and parts-washer solutions. Compatibility depends on fluid chemistry, contamination type, filtration level, and whether foreign oil separates naturally. Review the common conditions below and use the bottle test as a practical separation check.

Review compatibility conditionsRun the bottle test →
In most cases
yes: coalescing, bag, and paper-media separation
Per system
filtration selected for the fluid and process
30–60 min
screening check using a representative fluid sample
Engineer review
fluid and process compatibility evaluated before quotation

Compatibility overview

Many common applications are compatible, but the fluid and contamination must be reviewed. EdjeTech systems remove unwanted oils and solids from many metalworking fluids and parts-washer solutions through mechanical separation and filtration. Many modern fluids reject tramp oil such as way oil, grease, hydraulic oil, and spindle oil, allowing it to separate from the working fluid. EdjeTech equipment does not break chemical emulsions. If a foreign oil remains chemically bound to the fluid, it cannot be removed as efficiently as oil that separates naturally. The bottle test provides a practical indication of separation behavior.

Compatibility conditions

Six common compatibility conditions

Identify the condition that most closely matches the fluid and contamination in your equipment. If the separation behavior is unclear, use the bottle test below.

01
Water-based coolant, oil floats on the sumpMost common
Fluid condition
The coolant is rejecting tramp oil, and the visible layer indicates that the oil is separating naturally. Mechanical separation is effective for free and mechanically dispersed oil.
Equipment fit
Compatible. For one sump or reservoir, the T.O.S.S. separator holds tramp oil below 0.5% by volume. For shop-wide contamination, C.R.O.S.S. provides central recycling.
02
Water-based coolant, oil gets in, but no layer forms
Fluid condition
A milky emulsion is normal; water-soluble and semi-synthetic coolants look cloudy by design. The signal here is foreign oil that disappears into the fluid instead of rising: an incoming oil that carries its own emulsifiers stays bound to your coolant rather than forming a layer. EdjeTech equipment does not break emulsions, by design, because emulsifiers are part of your fluid's chemistry.
Equipment fit
Requires evaluation. Run the per-oil bottle test. If an incoming oil remains bound, ask the fluid supplier whether a compatible fluid is available that rejects tramp oil. If customer or OEM approvals require the current fluid, provide that information during the application review.
03
Fines, sludge, and particulate
Fluid condition
Filtration must be selected for the fluid chemistry, process, and required cleanliness. Coolant-recycling stages commonly run at 35 microns and above, while paper-bed media grades run 10 to 60 microns for finer work. Review the proposed level against the fluid supplier's technical requirements before final selection.
Equipment fit
Compatible. Use a magnetic separator for ferrous fines, a paper bed filter for mixed and non-ferrous solids, or a DCO combination filter for both loads in one footprint.
04
Straight cutting oil, hydraulic, quench, or EDM oil
Fluid condition
Neat oils require filtration rather than oil-water separation. Equipment selection depends on the contamination type, cleanliness requirement, and required flow.
Equipment fit
Compatible by application. The S.O.F. line covers straight and neat oils across 16 fluids and is configured for the specific fluid and process.
05
Parts-washer bath
Fluid condition
Soils and foreign oil collect in the washer bath, and oil rejected by the cleaner can separate at the surface. Emulsifying cleaners hold oil in solution and are not compatible with coalescing separation.
Equipment fit
Compatible with the appropriate cleaner. The T.O.S.S. treats washer reservoirs continuously, while EdjeTech cleaner products are selected for the washer and soil.
06
Separation behavior is unknown
Fluid condition
Supplier technical data can confirm whether the fluid is designed to reject tramp oil. A clear-bottle test at the machine shows how the fluid behaves under current operating conditions.
Equipment fit
Run the test below. Then provide the fluid, process, and observed result during an application review.
Practical separation check

How to tell whether your fluid releases tramp oil

First confirm whether the fluid is designed to reject tramp oil. If separation behavior remains unclear, use the bottle test and evaluate each incoming oil individually when needed.

Use normal chemical-handling and machine-safety controls. Review the applicable safety data sheets, wear required PPE, use a clean compatible container and an approved sample point, and follow facility procedures. Never reach into moving equipment. Do not perform the test if the sample cannot be collected and handled safely.

Step 01

Collect a representative sample

Use the approved sample point and a clean, compatible bottle or beaker. Follow all machine and fluid-handling procedures.

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Step 02

Let it stand

Set it somewhere it will not be disturbed for 30 to 60 minutes.

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Step 03

Read the surface

If the fluid is releasing oil, an oil layer sits on top with cleaner fluid underneath.

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Step 04

Test each oil alone

Using the same precautions, add a small oil sample to water in a compatible lidded bottle, shake for 30 seconds, and let it stand for 30 to 60 minutes. Repeat per oil.

An oil layer on the surface indicates potential for mechanical separation. Coalescing equipment is designed for fluids that release free or mechanically dispersed foreign oil. The screening result does not replace an application review.

Water that remains brown or cloudy indicates that the oil may contain emulsifiers. Bound oil does not separate effectively through coalescence. Ask the fluid supplier whether a compatible oil or coolant is available that supports tramp-oil rejection, and request an engineering review for mixed results.

Related questions

Common questions about fluid compatibility

Will filtration strip additives out of my coolant?+
Properly specified filtration is selected to remove unwanted particulate without disrupting the fluid package. Coolant-recycling stages commonly operate at 35 microns and above, while paper-bed media grades range from 10 to 60 microns. The required filtration level is confirmed for the fluid and process.
Does EdjeTech test my fluid for me?+
The bottle test is performed with fluid from the operating machine so it reflects actual conditions. An EdjeTech engineer can then review the result with the fluid, process, contamination load, and flow requirements.
What if my fluid does not release the oil?+
Ask the supplier whether a compatible fluid is available that is designed to reject tramp oil. Fluids that release foreign oil are easier to maintain with mechanical separation. If customer or OEM approvals require the current fluid, provide those constraints during the application review so EdjeTech can define what mechanical separation can and cannot remove.
Which system removes the oil once I know it separates?+
For one sump or reservoir with continuous oil loading, use the T.O.S.S. coalescing separator. For contamination across multiple machines with rising disposal cost and short coolant life, C.R.O.S.S. provides central recycling and removes 99.75% of tramp oil and particulate by volume. See the tramp oil guide for the equipment options.
Does this apply to parts washers too?+
Yes. A washer bath behaves like a sump: rejected oil floats and can be skimmed and coalesced out continuously. The caution is cleaner selection, since emulsifying-type cleaners hold oil in solution and should not be used with a coalescing unit. EdjeTech matches cleaner chemistry to the washer and the soil.
Evaluate compatibility

Share the fluid and test result

Provide the fluid, process, contamination, and bottle-test observation so an engineer can evaluate compatibility and configure the system.

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