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Different independent tests have been performed that show the results of fine filtration and/or keeping fluid contaminants out of the oil. Some have been published in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Technical Paper Series.
Oil Quality
United States Bureau of Standard, Technical Bulletin 86: “It is a known fact that oil never wears out mechanically. Oil can be used over and over again, and still perform as new, as long as it is kept free of contaminants.”
SAE Technical Paper 902238:” Previous work had suggested that there may be detrimental side effects of utilizing fine filtration, such as additive removal or reduced filter capacity. No indications of these side effects were observed in this study, neither indirectly from wear metal or particle count data nor directly from additive metal of DIR spectroscopic results.
”SAE Technical Paper 942032: “The increased film strength and lubricity also provide a superior seal between the piston rings and cylinder walls in engines. This seal reduces oil consumption, blow-by gases, liquids and solids that blow by the piston rings during the combustion process.”
SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-1898: “Modern low emissions engines have a low oil consumption in order to reduce the lube oil contribution to the particulate emissions. But this also lowers the oil topping-up rate and therefore increases the deterioration rate of the oil. High top-ring piston and retarded fuel injection timing also result in increased soot levels in the oil.
Engine Wear
A test made by Cummins Engine Co., Inc. was presented in SAE Technical Paper 710813: “In conclusion, this evaluation has shown the use of good full-flow filtration, combined with bypass lubrication oil filtration, will result in extension of engine wear life up to two to three times the wear life obtainable with only good full flow filtration. Therefore, the use of bypass oil filters result s in the overall lowest total cost to engine user.”
SAE Technical Paper 942032: “It’s a commonly known fact that lubrication oil does not wear out mechanically, and if kept clean will maintain its lubrication qualities intact almost indefinitely”
“Because the electric oil refiner is capable of keeping the oil in a consistently clean condition, free of harmful contaminants, the oil can remain in the engine for extended periods of time, where the pressure of the engine or equipment treats the oil. This process gives the oil superior lubricity, increased film strength and superior adhesion to all internal moving parts. The increased adhesion means the oil will not drain off the internal parts of the engine, and forms a cushion of oil between moving parts which remains for extended periods of time. For this reason, the refiner will almost eliminate one of the highest wear factors in engines, the “dry start”.”
“This is a major change from normal interval oil changes. It will necessitate the re-education of many maintenance people in the technology of extended oil drain intervals, which has proven to be a far superior form of preventive maintenance to extend equipment life, require less maintenance and fewer overhauls. We will also have the bonus of less waste oil and cleaner environment.”
“Contaminants between 2 and 20 microns in size can be particularly damaging since they can disrupt hydrodynamic lubrication by entering wear surface.”
Fuel Consumption
In SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-1898 a test with a 1 micron bypass filter showed that ”The recycler achieved an 8.9% reduction in fuel consumption… The effect of the recycler on the fuel consumption was considered to be mainly due to the action of the recycler in reducing formation of in-cylinder deposits and solid contaminants thus in reducing engine friction and fuel consumption.” The authors explain: “Lubricating oil is… a significant contributor to combustion chamber deposits (CCD). Engine deposits exist on the piston surface, cylinder head, and intake-exhaust valves. The primary source of piston deposits is the lubricant and oxidation of the lubricant is the primary cause of deposit formation. In cylinder deposits consist of ash from the lube oil additives, carbon and absorbed unburned fuel and lubricating oil. The CCD can be a source of wear in engines, increased friction and hence increased fuel consumption. Piston crown land heavy carbon has been shown to increase oil consumption and deposits have been shown to increase as piston temperature increases above 250 degrees Celsius.”
In this SAE paper there is a comparison with a test of the same type of engine where a 6 micron filter was used and a 5% reduction in fuel consumption was measured (SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-1139). The authors conclude that the lower fuel consumption could be explained by the finer filtration in the 1 micron filter.
In SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-0699 a test of trucks equipped with 6 or 1 micron bypass filters can be read: “It clearly shows that the lube oil recycler has reduced the fuel consumption rate. This is attributed to the filtration of the recycler, which reduced the accumulation of the solid contaminants and formation of the deposits in cylinder. Thus the friction was reduced and energy loss due to friction was decreased.”
