Pollution Sources: The oil that enters the system is already contaminated. It is normal for new oil to have 30-50000 particles per. 100ml oil larger than 5 microns in size. These are particles from your manufacturing processes, dirt and dust from the environment around your production, particles from inside the drum, and so on...

Particles in Hydraulic oil:
Particles appear in systems through generated contamination, such as wear from different components, and of course from failing components. Some particles are already implanted in the systems, from casting sand, machining chips, and from under the manufacturing process. The contaminants in hydraulic systems can also come from "Filter devices" (small filters mounted inside the system). These particles escape from the "Filter devices" for so to cause a delayed attack on the system.

The most usual type of contamination is "human" caused contamination. -Maintenance! Particles enter the system during normal maintenance activity, when opening the system. You will not believe how many contaminant particles are generated by just installing a threaded fitting..

Filmax filtration systems will remove all particles, down to 1 µm in size.

How long Can Lubricating Oil Really Last?

By: RRS Filmax.

An engine's life expectancy ranks as the most important consideration in a new purchase. The performance of lubricating oil is a central factor in maintaining engine performance and extending operating life. Can the service life of your engine and lubricating oil be extended by improved filtration practices? Yes!

Common knowledge holds that lubricating oil breaks down and additives are depleted during engine service. Yet researchers have long ago established that lubricating oil composition des not change even during extended service periods (References 1,2,3,4). Further, laboratory analysis has documented that critical oil additives are not depleted over time (References 1,2,4). Improvements in filtration, including the use of chemically treated paper and other types of filtering media, are extending the life of lubricating oil additive packages and permitting greater service intervals.

In practice lubricating oil loses it's lubrication and corrosion protection properties due to the accumulation of microscopic particles and corrosive compounds (principally byproducts of combustion). The accumulation of particles in the 3 - 10 micron range (particles too small to be removed by original equipment filters) increase the absorption of engine surfaces and therefore the rates of engine wear. The acids and moisture which continually enter oil rush to the actively wearing engine surfaces to initiate corrosion and to propagate further wear. It's no wonder that frequent oil change’s are recommended by engine manufacturer's and oil companies!

Sample evidence supports the ability of depth-type filters to remove particles in the 3 - 10 micron range (References 2,3,4). Research into the use of chemically-active filter paper has determined that the removal of water and corrosive sulfides and oxides from oil occurs by chemical adsorption. The effect of depth-type filtration using a chemically-active filtering medium is the removal of wear-inducing particles and additive-consuming contaminants. This combination of filtering mechanisms if the basis of the patented Filmax. line if depth-type filters.

The extension of engine and lubricating oil life is not terribly important to engine manufacturer's and oil companies. Engines manufacturer's know how long you expect their products to last and the costs associated with the precision balancing and blueprinting (for better engine performance and longer life) does not help them sell engines. Oil companies make money by the sale of their products and will not profit from extending the service life of their lubricants. The only person who wants to enhance engine life and minimize operation and repair costs is you!

Conclusion

The removal of wear-causing particles and contaminants from lubricating oil can substantially extend the life of lubricants and the engines they service. As the cost of lubricants and used lubricant disposal increase (courtesy of recent EPA regulations) more industries are enhancing engine and lubricating oil life with the most of depth-type filters. Filmax offers industry the most advanced oil filtration systems and customer support which is the standard by which our competitors rate themselves!

References:

1. Understanding the Dynamics of Engine Wear; Equipment Management, September 1985.
2. The Use of Oil Contamination Testing Combined With Improved Filtration Will Optimize Both lubricant and Equipment Lifé"; Lubrication Engineering, October 1989.
3. Filtration: A Complex Process Whose Methods Are Constantly Improving; The Gandian Lubrication Journal, 6 (1), 1986.
4. Friction Reduction in an IC Engine through Improved Filtration"; Lubrication Engineering, 41 (10), 1985.