On some automobiles, finding and replacing the engine oil filter can be a hassle, since each vehicle seems to use a different filter location-some of them in pretty hard-to-reach locations. But what if we told you the day of the disposable oil filter could be near its end? It won't happen overnight, but the possibility is out there. The key lies in using centrifugal energy-instead of paper media-to remove the contaminants from engine oil.
| P-300 Emblem courtesy of Third Planet Energy
The centrifuge filter has been around for hundreds of years and has served many different purposes. When used as an oil filter, the centrifuge spins the dirty oil, and due to centrifugal force, the heavier soot and contaminants separate from the lighter oil. A centrifuge oil filter can't separate things that are molecularly bonded together, but they can sort out suspended particles of different mass. At least, that's the theory.
| The Dieselcraft OC-25 centrifuge spins at 6,000 rpm thanks to the 2-psi Brailsford electric air pump mounted on it. Brailsford pumps are rugged units that have been used by the military and were even sent into space as part of the Apollo Mission. The unit included in the Dieselcraft kit will run for the equivalent of 8 hours per day for 5 years.
Science and Oil Analysis
We plan to test this hypothesis with science in the August issue of Diesel Power and at DieselPowerMag.com, so be sure to stay tuned. We're working with Lane Crandall of Oil Analysis Lab to help us set up an experiment. Crandall was as excited as we were because he felt this article to be very timely. He deals with oil centrifuges all the time in heavy industry, and the amount of information his company can tell you just by analyzing the oil is amazing-see "Motor Oil Science" (March '07).
Information on Fittings
AN Fittings: AN fittings were developed by the United States military for the Air Corp (Air Force) and Navy, which gave them the name AN. The 37-degree flared fittings range from size -2 (dash two) to -32. According to Van's Aircraft, -4 aluminum fittings should be tightened 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 flats (six flats per nut) or 100 to 140 in-lb after the two flared surfaces touch and -6 AN are 150 to 190 in-lb or 1 to 1 1/2 flats. Another tightening method is to turn the nut 1/4 of a rotation once the surfaces initially touch. This applies to all sizes. Don't use any sealant on AN thread fittings.
NPT (National Pipe Thread Tapered Thread): NPT is a tapered thread standard originating in the United States for joining pipes with sizes ranging from 1/16 to 24 inches. Make sure to use a sealant. We used Teflon tape and rolled it on the threads for three rotations clockwise, starting on the top so the end will lay smooth when it's screwed in. Torque 1/8 NPT 4 1/2 turns by hand and 2 1/2 turns by wrench and 1/4 NPT 4 turns by hand and 3 turns with a wrench (torque specs vary due to imperfections-do not overtighten).
| This is what a centrifuge cake looks like. We plan to send the cake created by our 6.9L engine to Oil Analysis Labs in order to determine its contents.
PARTS LIST
PART
PRICE
Dieselcraft
$599
OC-25 oil centrifuge:
Amsoil 6.0L aluminum
$126
oil fill cap (PN BK1101):
ANPlumbing.com push-lock end -6 AN
$4.90
female to 3/8-inch hose (PN 700167):
90-degree elbow 1/8 NPT male
$10.60
to -6 AN male (PN 982262):
3/8-inch push-lock hose
$20
(blue) x 5 feet:
1/4 NPT female tee (PN 991702):
$15
-4 AN male to 1/4 NPT (PN 961644):
$2
-4 AN female to 1/4 NPT
$9
swivel (PN 916144):
Total:
$786.50
Centrifuge Believers
Dieselcraft gave us this list of diesel engine manufacturers which use (or have used) engine oil centrifuge technology on diesel engines:
Daimler AG
Detroit Diesel
International
Cummins
Land Rover
Caterpillar
BMW
Mack Trucks
Truck & Engine
Ford
Centrifuge Believers
Dieselcraft gave us this list of diesel engine manufacturers which use (or have used) engine oil centrifuge technology on diesel engines:
BMW
Caterpillar
Cummins
Daimler AG
Detroit Diesel
Ford
International
Truck & Engine
Land Rover
Mack Trucks
