Lubricants or lube oils are the lifeblood of every ‘oil-wetted’ machinery. Such is the importance that an engine cannot practically work without the presence of lube oil. Lube oil not only ensures the smooth & resistance free movement of the internal components of an engine by isolating all parts from each other, but it also carries out a number of other very critical tasks such as:

• Lubrication: It provides lubrication to all the moving parts to reduce friction and wear.
• Cooling: It absorbs the heat produced by the engine and effectively dissipates it.
• Cleaning: The lube oil transports additives such as detergents and dispersants for cleaning, by picking up the foreign particles formed during combustion.
• Sealing: The oil also seals the combustion chamber from the crankcase by acting as a liquid film between piston rings and liner walls.

Contaminants in the Lube Oil

While using a good quality oil for your engine is important, no oil can retain its purity forever. The engine system is not a closed loop network where you would pump the oil once and forget about it. Rather, the oil is prone to contamination through various internal and external sources which can introduce impurities into the oil. The internal sources form the majority of oil degraders due to impurities released from activities such as combustion, wear and the break down of hydrocarbons in the oil. The ignition process involves the blending of fuel and air, which gives birth to byproducts such as carbon and partially burned fuel along with other contaminants such as acids, water, varnish, and lacquers which degrade the oil. Time is also an enemy of oil as with time, the hydrocarbons forming the oil break down owing to the weakening molecular linkages.

Lube Oil Filtration Techniques

In order to keep the oil at its optimum level, a filtration process is required. An effective lube oil filter ensures that the oil remains free of impurity and performs its tasks efficiently.

Accordingly, there are at least 3 techniques used to filter oil mentioned below:
1. Full flow filtration: Where all of the oil pump output is filtered before entering the engine.
2. Bypass filtration: Where a pre-determined amount of the oil flow is filtered to a considerably better degree than in a full-flow system, before moving back into the oil sump.
3. Combination filtration: Where both full flow and bypass techniques are utilized in the filter.

Fleetguard is one of the leading filter manufacturers in India providing some of the best lube oil filtration components such as:

Cartridge Filters
a) Full flow
b) By-Pass

Spin-On Filters
a) Full flow
b) By-Pass
c) Venturi combo
d) Conventional combo

Lube Filter Assemblies
a) Lube filter with head
b) Lube filter head with combo filtration
c) Lube filter head with a bypass valve

Centrifugal Filters
a) Cone-Stac design
b) Spira-Tec design

The development of more and more sophisticated engines and the need for meeting higher emission standards are driving the automotive filter manufacturers to design the best of filters. The stronger and advanced media used by Fleetguard ensures higher capacity, enhanced efficiency, and improved performance. By efficiently removing the particles that cause wear of engine, engine oil can last longer and therefore require less frequent oil changes. This results in lower man-hours translating to less downtime and more revenue generation.

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The implementation of tougher environmental norms and the need for sustainable and green initiatives are significantly influencing the fuel industry. The exclusion of sulfur from traditional diesel fuels to produce purer burning combustibles and the introduction of bio-ethanol are posing newer challenges in the particle, water, and soft organic contaminants filtration. Additionally, new and sophisticated engine designs developed to meet environmental regulations call for higher standards of fuel. Owing to this, the filter manufacturers in India are now being presented with a greater challenge to design filters which can perform in line with the developments of the fuel industry.

There are many opportunities for contaminant ingress in fuels right from the production to the point of use. 90% of engine problems are due to water or dirt in the fuel. Another source of ingress is through the tank vent. As the fuel tank is drawn down, ambient air is drawn into the tank. On-vehicle filtration is the best line of defense for an engine to function efficiently for extended service intervals. A fuel filtration unit consists of various units such as fuel modules, fuel filters, fuel water separators and strainers. Let us study specifically about how fuel modules play a vital role in fuel filtration process.

What is a Fuel Module?

A fuel module is a subsystem integrating the filtration cartridge. It is used only for liquid filtration, and not for air filtration or crankcase ventilation. It is designed to serve multiple functions required in fuel filtration system. The fuel module helps in water separation, water draining, air venting, fuel pumping, by-pass filtration etc. Apart from that, it also works as a pressure & temperature sensor.

Why opt for Modules?

Inefficient fuel filtration can lead to wear of injector components and may lead to problems such as over fueling, deposits, elevated nozzle wear, reduced performance and a drop in fuel efficiency. With the current stringent emission norms and economy, Fleetguard fuel filtration provides an excellent shield for all fuel system components and enhance engine performance.

Advantages of Using fuel Modules:

There are various advantages of fuel modules in a fuel filtration system such as:

Depending on their location in the system, the filters are classified into 3 types
1. Extended service interval

2. Efficiently removes hard particles

3. Provides the flexibility of a technology upgrade

4. Maintains the integrity of engine and provides protection

5. Competitive design for application works in severe conditions

6. Environment-friendly

7. Generates options for integrating additional features.

Functions of the Fuel Module:

The fuel module performs following important functions:

1. Provides resistance from the contamination present in the surroundings

2. Separates & drains water out of the system

3. Measures fuel pressure & fuel temperature

4. Measures water content present in the fuel

5. Connects fuel circuit internal components

6. Extends the servicing interval.

Fleetguard is one of the leading filter manufacturers in India, providing complete fuel filtration solutions for heavy duty engines.

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Around 75% of all system failures can be attributed to the contamination in the hydraulic system besides human error. As such, proper filtration and monitoring has always played an exemplary role in keeping the hydraulic system intact. Without enough preventive actions to stop fluid contamination, negative effects can escalate to the point of component failure, causing downtime. This downtime and loss of production are directly responsible for a company’s lost revenue. Eliminating contamination thus becomes an integral function of managing a hydraulic system.

Role of Fluids in a Hydraulic System

The fluid performs four basic functions in a hydraulic system:
1. It creates force and motion as the fluid flow is converted into pressure.

2. By occupying the space between metal surfaces, the fluid forms a seal providing a pressure barrier while excluding contaminants.

3. It provides lubrication to the metal surfaces.

4. Cools down system components.

There are a number of fluid options available from mineral oils to water based fluids to eco-friendly fluids. The fluids vary in their features of viscosity, lubricant capacity, anti-wear protection, density, resistance to ageing, materials compatibility etc.

Reasons for Contamination of Fluids

Contamination of fluids is commonly caused by dust, dirt and sludge. The fluid passes through and touches various components inside the hydraulic system where it picks up additional impurities caused by the wear off of the components, abrasion, leakage of seals etc. Contaminants can also enter through breather caps, imperfect seals and other openings.

What is Hydraulic Filtration?

All the hydraulic fluids have a certain level of contamination already present in them which concentrates even more once they enter the system and pass through its various components. Hydraulic filtration is the process of separation of contamination from the hydraulic oil. Hydraulic Filter is a component of the Hydraulic System, incorporated to maintain fluid cleanliness as per design needs.

Depending on their location in the system, the filters are classified into 3 types
1. Suction Strainer/Filter
2. Return Line Filter
3. Pressure-line Filter

Suction filter is located on a suction port of the pump or submerged in the reservoir and attached to the suction line leading to the pump. High-efficiency filters are usually prohibited in the suction side as high differential pressure can cause pump failure. These filters usually consist of metal wire mesh and must be selected properly to avoid any possible pump cavitation.

Return line filters are designed to be installed in-line or mount directly onto the tank cover. The filter collects all flow from the system and filters the oil before it returns to the tank. Such an arrangement ensures that the oil in the reservoir will be cleaned to the desired ISO specification.

Pressure Line filters are located on the pressure line, directly protecting one or more components e.g. proportional valves and servo valves. This filter is generally installed between the pump outlet and the rest of the components in a hydraulic system. They usually have filter elements made of glass fiber.

Fleetguard, one of the best filter manufacturers in India, develops and manufactures a wide range of hydraulic filters. They offer filters required for troubleshooting and addressing the performance demands of any hydraulic system. Fleetguard product range includes filter housings, filter heads, replacement cartridges, spin-on head & assemblies, catering to high, medium and low-pressure hydraulic systems thereby protecting industrial machinery, components and heavy-duty–mobile equipments.

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