In a world of diminishing resources and increase demand and population, the race is on for for technology which can preserve and prolong the life of mineral resources. The surprising fact is that some of this technology already exists and is available for widespread use, such as the Europafilter oil filtration system, which removes the need to change oil. Ever!
This is a very bold claim and open to ridicule, but the facts speak for themselves, as shown in this video at Statoil, the Scandinavian energy giant, which spent a six-figure sum back in 1996 on a two-year study on the Europafilter system, with the end result that they installed the system on their platforms in the North Sea, leading to a sharp drop in hydraulic breakdowns.
Europafilter - what are the claims?
There have been many miracle claims for oil filters in the past and before examining the Europafilter system, a quick look at its claims in include:
- Reduces oil consumption and purchasing cost by 90%
- Removes the economic and environmental headache of disposing of dirty oil
- Significantly reduces expensive downtown by keeping the oil clean (85% of hydraulic breakdowns are due to dirty oil - keep the oil clean and remove the problem)
- Cleans oil up to twenty times cleaner than brand new oil.
Europafilter - how does it work?
According to the US Bureau of Standards, "oil cannot wear out mechanically, and can therefore be used indefinitely, provided it is cleaned properly." Oil can only be destroyed by burning or by oxidation, with oxidation caused by oxygen and particles in the oil coming into contact. What makes Europafilter so effective is that it removes 99.9% of particles from the oil, thereby killing the chance of oxidation.
If oxidation does not occur and the oil is not burned, it can be used indefinitely, as it is being in a auto components factory in Sweden, who, after installing Europafilter on their systems seventeen years ago (details available on request), are still waiting to change the oil. A recent oil analysis revealed the oil to be cleaner than new oil even after all that time.
The secret of Europafilter is in its micro-filtration capacity. Most oil filters can filter down to between 2 and 5 microns (which is where ISO and NAS standards end), but studies have shown that 70% of articles in oil in weight terms are smaller than one micron. Any filter which filters to one micron is merely slowing down oxidation, whereas Europafilter, with its capillary filtration system, can filter down to 0.1 micron (proven) and probably lower, thereby removing most of the oxidising particles.
Don't change the oil, change the filter
In addition to being an oil life saver, Europafilter is easy to use. The system acts as a sidestream filter, so there is no need to stop production. Simply attach the filter to the relevant machine and insert two feeds to the system - Europafilter will then clean the oil and return it to the reservoir, repeating the process until it is clean. Each filter can absorb up to 3kg of particles, including two litres of water. Once the filter is full, simply change the filter, a ten minute job. If the system is being used on the same oil, a filter change will be required annually. An oil change will not be required.
What are the Europafilter applications?
The Europafilter system is applicable on a range of industrial oils - gear, lubrication, turbine, transformer, quench and hydraulic. It can also be used on engine oil, but with caveats. Oil volume ranges from two to 65,000 litres. Practical applications include:
- Offshore - hydraulic lifts, deck cranes, gas turbines etc
- Ships - hydraulic systems, deck cranes, thrusters and propeller axles
- Power plants - turbine regulators, gearboxes, gas turbines and generators
- Mining - ore mills, concrete sprayers, gearboxes for conveyors
- Harbours - cranes and container cranes
- Heavy vehicles - fire engines, excavators, bullodozers
- Military - hydraulics on tanks etc
Who is behind Europafilter?
Europafilter is the brainchild of Icelandic naval captain Aegir Bjornsson, who came across an undeveloped oil filter idea for the space industry. He has dedicated his life to experimenting and improving the system in his adopted homeland in Sweden, and his efforts were officially recognised when he was awarded the 2004 Scandinavian Maintenance Award. Never motivated by money, his prime concern is to leave an environmental legacy for his grandchildren.
Paul Bradbury - Author of Hvar: An Insider's Guide to Croatia's Premier Island, and Lebanese Nuns Don't Ski
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