Solid contamination is caused mostly by metal wear particles, dust, and soot.

Mechanical parts which come in contact with each other are subject to friction. Friction causes wear, resulting in small fragments that dislocate from those mechanical components. These filings are picked up by the oil stream and accumulate continuously, causing additional abrasion and increasing wear. At the same time the metal particles store heat, which will inhibit the cooling process, further impacting engine performance.

Burning fuel inside an engine requires air. Although it is filtered, this air will inevitably carry some dust particles not trapped by the air filter. They will accumulate into the oil and increase abrasion.

The combustion process produces carbon residues. This “soot” also collects into the oil stream. In addition to abrasion, soot is chemically active and will degrade the chemical and physical properties of the oil.

As more and more impurities accumulate in the oil, they will cause increasingly more wear. Over time the contamination reaches critical limits at which oils no longer function properly. Traditionally, to combat the effects of this degradation, the contaminated oil is drained out, discarded, and replaced. OUR OIL PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY FILTERS THE ENTIRE SUMP OF OIL EVERY FEW HOURS, PREVENTING THE BUILDUP OF SOLIDS.

Studies, such as “The Influence of Filtration on Rolling Element Bearing Life” conducted by Dr. P. B. Macpherson in conjunction with Westland Helicopter Ltd. and the Imperial College of Science and Technology in the UK, demonstrate that, when changing from a 40 micron filter to a 3 micron filter, the fatigue life of mechanical systems increases significantly. The filtering element of our Purifier has an Absolute Rating of 3 microns. At this size, the particles passing through the filter will flow freely between the parts, substantially diminishing friction. As a result, equipment will experience significantly reduced wear, which will result in longer operating life. In addition, the reduced friction creates less heat and the elimination of metal particles lowers the thermal retention of the oil. These factors lower the operating temperature of the engine, which results in better performance and lower fuel consumption.

Periodic testing of the oil ensures that its properties are within normal ranges and offers proof of proper lubrication for warranty purposes. They are the equivalent of periodic “blood tests” for a piece of equipment. When carefully monitored and analyzed they reveal important information about the condition of the asset. THE ANALYSIS CAN PROVIDE ALERTS ABOUT ABNORMAL WEAR AND OTHER PROBLEMS DEVELOPING INSIDE THE ENGINE AND SUGGEST THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE MEASURES.

Oilpass Technologies offers an analytical tool to interprets these result. It is a web-based service, used for the condition-based (rather than programmed) servicing of assets. The use of this service results in documented savings of up to 34% of the maintenance and fuel costs for a fleet. Once implemented, this program can be managed and maintained by one person for a fleet of up to 2000 vehicles.

IT IS LIKE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE EVERY FEW HOURS… WITHOUT CHANGING THE OIL!