Evaluations of Three Oil Filter Designs for Pollution Prevention Effectiveness

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Project Title: Evaluations of Three Oil Filter Designs for Pollution Prevention Effectiveness

Date Last Updated: 5/96

Project Summary: This project examined the viability of using of reusable oil filters. Used oil and oil filters are a large source of waste in the US. Two approaches to minimize this waste stream, and to minimize oil consumption, include designing reusable filters and filters that extend oil life. Filters that can be cleaned instead of discarded and have an improved filtration function may permit more mileage between oil changes.

Researchers tested three types of filters on 12 diesel engine busses from the California Orange Country Transit Authority fleet and compared their function to control filters. The three new filters included a reusable wire mesh, a disposable fiber, and a disposable paper filter. During a 4-month test period, various tests were taken to monitor oil quality and condition, particle counts, and potential engine problems.

Results show that all of the busses tested were able to go beyond the 6,000 mile oil change interval regularly practiced by the Transit Authority. Little differences were revealed among the performance of the three filters for the relatively short testing period. The major differences were the particle size cut below 25 micrograms: this particle size range was removed more effectively with the synthetic fibers. A longer test period and a larger sample size would be needed to correlate engine life with fine particle removal. The cost per filter per use is similar for all three filters, and provided that engine life is not adversely impacted, would have a payback period of slightly more than one year.

Project Keywords: motor oil, oil filters, transportation

Organization Performing Research: Science Applications International Corporation and the California Orange County Transit Authority

Primary Research Contact: not reported

Date Research Started/Completed: 1/91 - 9/96

Publications Based on Research: Evaluations of Three Oil Filter Designs for Pollution Prevention Effectiveness, Lisa M. Brown and Robert Ludwig, to be available as an EPA/600 series report.
Full report and project summary available through either:
* CERI Publications Unit, US EPA
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH, 45268
(513) 569-7582
or
* National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
(703) 487-4650

Approximate Project Budget: not reported

Primary Project Funder: US EPA

Funder Contact:
Johnny Springer
US Environmental Protection Agency
26 West Martin Luther King Dr., MS 466
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
phone: (513) 569-7542
fax: (513) 569-7677
e-mail: springer.johnny@epamail.epa.gov