Mobile Oil Filtration

Q: How do I know if my oil needs replacing / cleaning?

A: The cleanliness level of any fluid is expressed by an internationally recognized code which expresses the number of particles of a given size - see ISO Codes. New oil typically has an ISO Cleanliness level of 16/14/12 or below.

To establish the fitness level of your oil we offer a testing service whereby we collect oil samples and have these analysed by an independent laboratory such as Wearcheck South Africa. The test result typically shows:

• the oil fitness level as expressed by the ISO code

• wear metals found in the sample such as Iron, Copper, Chromium and others

• the viscosity of the fluid

• levels of additives found

Q: Why filter the oil?

A: Our unique filtering technique is done while the machinery is running. This has the advantage that due to the oil being in motion most particulates are in suspension rather than having dropped to the bottom of the tank. Also, the oil in the machine itself is being flushed and replaced by newly filtered oil. Applying this methodology affords the customer the following advantages:

• Cost savings of up to 65% of fresh oil

• Contamination is removed throughout the system and not only in the tank

• No loss or minimal loss of production

• Convenient as it can be done any time when the need arises

Q: How do I get rid of water in my oil?

A: The material in the filter packs is predominantly made of Cellulose which enables it to absorb and retain the free water in the oil. The water absorption capacity is limited to 140ml per filter cartridge. Our filtration models feature 2 or 4 filter cartridge which means that they would be able to absorb 280 or 560ml of moisture respectively.

Q: Does filtration change the viscosity of the oil?

A: Filtration will restore the oil to a "new" level mechanically. Any chemical changes the oil might have undergone during its use is not reversed by filtration.

Q: Does filtration remove the additives I have in my oil?

A: The size of the molecules of additives is less than 1 micron which means that the oil filter will not be able to remove them, in other words they are passed straight through.

Q: What about "aging" of the lubricant?

A: Most experts agree that the basic properties of oil do not change during service. Oil can, however, become contaminated by particles and moisture to the point that it cannot protect the lubricating system from wear and corrosion. Contamination can be reduced and maintained at low levels with the use of ultra-fine filtration. Our ultra-fine filtration method can extend the useful life of oil by 80-90%.

Q: How is the environment effected by filtration?

A: Filtering the oil rather than replacing is environmentally friendly and extremely cost effective.

Q: What is micro filtration?

A: Ultra-high efficiency filtration filters down to a submicron level leading to an overall cleanliness level superior to normal fuel flow filtration. The filtration system utilizes patented compression technology in combination with depth media to ensure the highest filtration efficiencies.

Q: What is the difference between micro filtration and standard filtration?

A: Every engine and automatic transmission is equipped with a standard or full flow filter, which removes the large particles that could cause immediate damage to vehicle systems. But because an adequate flow of fluid through the filter must be maintained, the element has to be permeable, resulting in a filtering of particles no smaller than 10 to 15 micron. However, the majority of contaminants are much smaller than 10 micron, and they can easily pass through a standard filter. Bypass filtration is necessary to filter out 5-10% of fluid flow, thus avoiding any counter pressures caused by placing additional filtration directly into the oil circuit.

Q: What are the benefits of micro filtration?

A: Micro filtration results in superior fluid cleanliness for any lubrication or power transmission fluid system, including automatic transmission fluid (ATF), engine oils and hydraulic oils. Overall, micro filtration results in fewer malfunctions, reduced downtime, reduction of waste oil and increased equipment life.

Q: Why do I need additional filtration (other than factory equipped)?

A: Factory full flow filters are designed to provide a minimum screening of particulates (15 micron or larger particles of soot and carbon) to keep ongoing bearing protection and still maintain a specified flow rate but in turn it loses a considerable amount of oil cleanliness. Ninety percent of machine wear is from particulates between .5 and 2.0 micron in size. Continental Filter's filtration system removes contamination particulates down to .5 micron in size. The reason for using our filtration system is to clean the lube oil, allowing the machine to run on clean oil 100% of the time. By keeping the oil clean you are eliminating over 90% of most machine wear.

Q: Why have the major manufacturers not installed filter systems like ours as the machine is manufactured?

A: There are two classic basic reasons: First, adding aftermarket products as factory equipment drives up the price of the products. Secondly, the manufacturers have planned obsolescence built into the engines to enable them to keep selling replacement parts to you the consumer. Manufacturers are slowly changing their view however.

Q: I have full flow filters on all my equipment. Aren't full flow filters adequate for keeping oil clean?

A: Full flow filters do what they are designed to do, which is to remove solids in the 15-25 micron range. They are not designed to remove particles in the so-called wear range (the 5-15 micron clearances found in bearings, pumps and valves), nor do they remove moisture or varnish compounds which form in oil. Over the life of the equipment (even well maintained equipment) varnishes and sludge can form on parts and clog valves, seals, pumps and fluid passages.

Q: How does our filtration system maintain oil at levels of cleanliness which are superior to new oil?

A: New oil frequently contains particles in the wear range which exceeds the maximum contamination levels specified by the equipment manufacturer! By removing particles in the wear range, as well as the moisture and varnishes which form in oil during service, NTZ actually maintains oil at cleanliness levels which exceed the new oil and equipment manufacturers' specifications.