what's new in: Oil filtration

Dec. 1, 2004
There was a sigh relief throughout the industry when '02 emissions regulations proved not to have quite as dramatic an impact on fleets' bottom lines as originally thought. Working in concert with engine and oil manufacturers, oil filter makers had set out to improve the ability of their products to handle increased amounts of soot produced by EGR engines. For the most part, they accomplished this

There was a sigh relief throughout the industry when '02 emissions regulations proved not to have quite as dramatic an impact on fleets' bottom lines as originally thought. Working in concert with engine and oil manufacturers, oil filter makers had set out to improve the ability of their products to handle increased amounts of soot produced by EGR engines. For the most part, they accomplished this with improved filter media that resulted in higher capacity filters.

Now they're turning their attention to '07 emissions requirements and building on the lessons '02 has taught them. Honeywell Consumer Products Group, manufacturer of FRAM heavy-duty filtration, for example, has been working consistently with its OEM partners since shortly after implementation of '02 regs, and has several new projects in the works.

FRAM knows it must be ready with solutions that will enable fleets to maintain the oil change intervals they've come to expect while being emissions-compliant. The high-capacity Wearguard HD line now has stronger media to ensure the durability needed for longer change intervals.

Spinner II has made changes to its oil cleaning centrifuge in response to the rollout of EGR engines and in preparation for '07. A new design removes soot over a longer duration of time and has a 50% larger dirt holding capacity. The objective is to help fleets maintain efficiency of their oil filtration system over the entire drain interval, or in some cases, over an extended drain interval. For '07, it is looking at ways to increase efficiency of the bypass system and extend drain intervals.

Baldwin Filters recently updated its high velocity dual-flow filters, including BD7153 and BD7154 models. The filters' parallel flow path, with synthetic and cellulose media packs, provides low restriction for cold starts. They also deliver the higher efficiency and dirt-holding capacity needed for filters used in today's engines.

Baldwin says that oil filter performance will be paramount to controlling costs with '07 engines. It is working on acid neutralizing technology that will control acid formation while allowing the use of low phosphate oil formulations in '07-compliant engines.

RACOR is focusing on more modules and cartridge filtration products, and plans to offer fleets an entire package around its disposable oil filters, such as it has already done for International Truck and Engine Corp.'s 6-liter Ford engine, which uses RACOR's combined oil and fuel filtration module. The filters are top-loaded cartridge style for easy serviceability from the top side of the vehicle. RACOR says it will approach the '07-engine issue through improved media.

This year RACOR introduced the LFS 700 Series, which is a cleanable and bypass filtration in one.

Another environmentally friendly product is available from DCS Distributing. Called the Lifetime Filter System, it can be cleaned and re-used hundreds of times, says DCS. Its 45-micron T304 stainless steel filter media has a large filter area that provides for one-pass filtering.

New from Donaldson is an Endurance Plus additive replenishment technology filter. Development of the product was motivated by changes in EGR engines, such as the increased rate of acid forming in oil.

Donaldson notes that it has been working with an additive technology company to integrate extra additive into its spin-on filter design, which under a controlled-release condition will supplement the additives already in the oil. This will help keep the TBN number high enough so that linehaul fleets will be able to go back to their desired service intervals.

Looking to '07, Donaldson says the main issue will be the need to remove higher percentages of water and particulates in the new ultra low-sulfur fuels through improved fuel filtration. To help accomplish this, the company has released Synteq fuel, a multi-layered media that removes water and debris incrementally, progressing through the layers to capture the smallest contaminants.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CIRCLE NUMBER ON REPLY CARD:

Baldwin Filters 310
www.baldwinfilter.com

DCS Distributing 311
www.dcsdistributing.com

Donaldson 312
www.donaldson.com

Fleetguard 313
www.fleetguard.com

Fram/Honeywell 314
www.framfleetcare.com

Luber-Finer 315
www.luberfiner.com

PuraDYN 316
www.puradyn.com

Racor Div, Parker Hannifin 317
www.racor.com

Spinner II Div., T.F.Hudgins 318
www.spinnerii.com

Wix Filters/Dana Corp. 319
www.wixfilters.com

About the Author

DEBORAH MCGUFFIE

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