T1DS DOCllllBNTISr•orBCTED •r u.s. A.ND INTEII.
NATIONAL COPYIUGHT
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Soot Removal from Diesel Engine Lubrication
Systems
Nageswara R. Cheekala, Ronald Rohrbach and Peter Unger
Honeywell Int'l Inc.
ABSTRACT
The removal of soot in tbe Jubricatiog sumps of diese)
engioes is a fonnidable task, further compounded by the
introductiou of Exhaust Gas Recirculatiou (EGR). Efficient
removal of soot would help eusure eogioe durability aud
engioe performance while increasing oil draiu intervals thus
reduciug maiutenance costs. This paper describes a method
by which soot can be separated from !be oi.l with the
application of an electric field by utiliziog the small electrical
charge oo the soot particles. The electric field is applied to a
uetwork of electrodes tbat support an open porous network
which stabilizes the weakly bound soot cake. Significantly
higher tiltratiou etlicieucy was achieved as compared to
mechanical particulate filtmtion and centrifugation. The
paper also discusses the controlling conditioos wlúle detailing
the performance testiog at both a bench scale leve) aud pilot
scale leve!.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOOT
Early in tbe widespread use of the intemal combustion
engines, it was considered important to be able remove
bannful pa.rt.iculates from tbe Jubricating fluid. Tbese
contaminating particulates were thought to increase wear and
shorten the life of the engine and its moviug parts. Toe
contaminants whicb cause wear and form insoluble
componeuts are managed partially by tbe oil's additive
package) S.Ome of these contaminants result from blow-by
of combustion byproduct.� from the fue) or lubricrunt, part.icles
from the outside air which pass through the air intake system,
and degradation of the oil. A mechauical filtratiou of these
contaminants has been a standard part of Jarger interna)
combustion engines, both spark ignitioo and compression
ignition. lt has been a challenge to manage soot generation in
compression ignition engines through conventional
mecbanical filtmtion due to the small siz.e of the particles.
SAE In/. J. Fuelv Luhr. 1 Volume 3 1 ls.vue 2
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2010-01-2101
Published
10/25/2010
Copyright CI 201O SAB lntcmsrional
Dispersant.� within the lubrican! additive package are
effective in keeping the soot particles from agglomerating
aod forming Jarger particles which are typically responsible
for wear. However, wheu the dispersan! become.� depleted
due to soot loading, tbe soot agglomerates grow quickly and
have a negative effect on the Jubricant's viscosity and useful
life of tbe lubrican!. The eugine type, age and operating
conditions of the eogine will sometimes create a "soot
cballenged" condition in which soot management becomes a
limiting parame.ter in the useful life of ihe lubricaut. Various
separatioo approaches have been employed in an active
particle manage:meut strategy, ranging from higber efficiency
single-pass tiltratiou to fioer filtration through the use of by­
pass filtration to centrifugation. TI1is study will attempt to
compare three approaches: mechanical filtration, centrifuga!
tiltmtion aud electro-agglomeration, for soot removal in
diese( engines. Electro-agglomeration is a relatively new
application for a separation mecbanism that is widely used in
otber areas.
CURRENT ALTERNATNES
There are multiple options in the market currently that claim
to provide eftective protection from soot.2.1� These include,
cellulose/synthetic media filters, centrifuges and deptb
tiltmtion devices. The media tilters etfoctiveness is based on
the mean pore size of tbe media being small enough to filter
soot. Centrifug;al separation proce.�s relies on the density
differences between the oil and the soot to separate the soot
from the oil. However, our evaluations bave shown that these
tools bave mini:mal effectiveness wben the soot is in the un­
agglomerated st.ate, as shown in Figure 1. The testing sbowed
that they were Jess than 20% etlicient in removing un­
agglomerated soot over an extended period of testing. The
issue with media filtmtion is that the un-agglomerated soot
particle size is in the nauometer 'range' and the pore size.� in
tbe media are not small enough to filler soot. In cases where
559
tbe media pore size is small enougb to filter soot, tbe pressure
drop across tbe media is too bigb for tbe application. Also,
tbe media filters do not possess enougb capacity to bold tbe
amount of soot that is in tbe oil. In tbe case of centrifugation,
tbe devices demonstrated bigb levels of oíl turbLLlence tbat
would prevent soot from being removed at a speed achieved
by tbe unit�.
Curren! AJternatlves
-��hnltr;3bcfl
-Medafllloar
-ecn:�fu!JC
rest ouration (Hour¡.1
Figure l. Effectiveness of current altematives
ELECTRO-AGGLOMERATION
MECHANISM
Application of an electric field to facilitate separation of
particles, colloids and molecules within a. fluid has been
practiced in many applications for many years..2.fi Most finely
divided particles which are suspended in a fluid possess a
cbarge, albeit feeble in sorne ca.ses. This cbarge is due to tbe
intrinsic nature of tbe material and/or tbe result úf cbarged
Súrbates in tbe fluid binding tú the surface of tbe material.
The net electrical cbarge ún tbe particle, as in tbe case of
colloids, results from tbe sum úf cbarge on the particle as
well tbe lúúsely held counter-iúns, tbus producing an ionic­
double !ayer or Helmboltz-double !ayer. Diesel-derived soot
c-0ntains púlar functiúnal groups on its surface. due to
incomplete combustion. In adclition, elements from tbe oil
additives sucb as sulfur, calcium, zinc and pbospborous are
also bC>und to tbe surfru:e. C>f tbe soot particles. Additionally,
oil additives wbicb bind to soot and keep it clispersed also
c-Ontribute to cbarge on tbis complex. Because ()f tbis net
cbarge imbalance, a particle will migrate in an electric field
to the electrC>de witb the opposite cbarge and tbus will be
CC>llected frC>m tbe mediwn. Wben the charge on tbe particle,
its zeta pC>tential, is very small, tbe electric field necessary to
bring about a migraticm and ultimate separation becC>mes very
bigh. In sorne cases tbe field is beyC>nd the breakdC>wn
voltage of tbe meclium in wbicb tbe separation is taking
place, thus making it unattainable. Soot within a lubricating
oil matrix exbibits a very small but non-zero cbarge, as
evidenced by its ability to migrate tC> a positive electrode
througb tbe applicatiC>n of a high-voltage DC electric field.
Attempts tC> measure and quantify tbe zeta potential of tbe
560 SAE Tnr..T. Fuel, Lubr. 1 Vo/um,: 3 1 lrsue 2
soot particles witbin an undiluted oil matrix bave been less
tban adequate. Tbis is due to tbe physical properties of tbe
fluid, including color and opacity. These factors affect
ccmventional zeta. potential determination using techniques
such as electropboretic mobility witb laser light scattering
detection.
+
.. ._, -->
- Zeta potenbal
Cause for mobiltty- lmbalance between primary
charge an<J counter charge-leads to zeta potential
Figure 2. Electrophoresis Transport Phenome11a
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Small Scale Electro-agglomeration Test
Cell
Two electrodes were placed into a 400 ml beaker, separated
by a distance C>f approximately 1.5 cm. Botb tbe anC>de and
cathode electrodes were made of fine mesh stainless steel
screen, 60 x 60 mesh, approximately 1 cm by 2. 7 cm in size.
Tbese electrodes were attached to platinum wire and tben to
the p-0wer supply. Tbe electrodes were pC>sitioned in a parallel
configuration within tbe test cell. The test cell was placed cm
a magnetic stirrer/bC>t plate whicb was used to maintain
temperature and sample mixing wben required. Temperature
in the test cell was measured using a tbermometer and
recorded. In a typical test run tbe C>il was diluted tC> 2 wt %
soot using fresb oil as tbe diluent. Tbis mixture was added to
the test cell until the electrodes were completely CC>vered. The
temperature of tbe mixture was raised to the specified
operating temperature before tbe vúltage was applied. In
sorne cases electro-agglomeratiC>n experiments were
performed using a static system wbile otber experiments were
perfonned witb stirring or flow incorporated intC> the
experiment. FIC>w was generated using a recirculating pump
to simulate tbe proportional flow whicb migbt be experienced
in a working engine, typicaUy 1 O cc/min (0.2 turns/min).
A HipotrC>nics HD125 bigb-vC>ltage DC pC>\ver supply was
used in ali tbe experiments. It is a variable vC>ltage/current
controlled pC>wer supply wbicb could develop a maximum
DC voltage of 25,000 vC>lts. However in most experiments
the voltages were in tbe 5-1 O kV range. Current draw was
alsC> measured during the course of each experiment.
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During the course of an experiment, samples of the oíl were a period of time from the same cell. Collected samples were
measured for their soot level and compared to the irutial soot mixed and resuspended prior to tnmsfer into the TGA pan.
level of the oíl. After an experiment the electrodes were
withdrawn from the test cell and the soot cake was removed Ali work was done on a Q500 TGS (TA Instruments) -
mechamcally from the working electrode. The total soot cake equipped with an EGA Furnace. The following conditions
was weighed and its soot level measured by the TGA were employed for each analysis;
procedure, described under Analytical Procedures.
Analysis Conditions
A multifactorial DOE (design of experiment�) study was
conducted which involved the distance of electrodes, size of l. Select Gas: 1 (Nitrogen)
the electrodes, type of electrode, material composition of the
electrode, and geometry of the noncollecting electrode as 2. Data storage: Off
related to soot cake formation. In the.�e experiments the small 3. Eqtrilibrate at 50.00ºC
test cell as described above was used.
4. Data storage: On
Reagents and Test Fluids 5. Isothermal for 1.00 min
Various used and fresh oils were used in the electro­ 6. Equilibrate at 650.00ºC
agglomeration experiments. Tbe used oils were collecting
from engn1es in test cells, typically from Mack T-11 or Mack 7. Isotbermal for 1.00 min
T-12 engine lubrican! tests, or from engines used in beavy­
duty field tests. A range of soot levels were used in the 8. Select Gas: 2 (Oxygen)
testing from relatively new oils with little or no soot to 9. Ramp 20.00ºC/min to 1000.00ºC
beavily sooted oils containing soot leveL� in excess of 6%
Soot levels were kept below 2 wt% by dilution with fresb 10. Isotbermal for 5.00 min
lube oil for several reasons. Frequently, in oils containing 11. Select Gas: 1 (Nitrogen)
soot levels sigmficantly greater tban 5%, the conductivity of
tbe oil was too high and exceeded the breakdown potential, Balance MFC: 10 ml/min mtrogen
resulting in power supply sbutdown. Tbe use úf intermediate
soot level also is more in keeping witb the objective of this Sample MFC: 90 mi/mio of nitrogen initially
device- namely to remove the soot as it btrilds up in tbe lube
Data Sampling Rate: 5 sec/pt
oil and well before the soot level reaches the critical stage.
Tbe fresb oils used for dilution were those typicaUy specified
Post Test Cooling: 30 min
by the engine manufacturer for heavy duty diesel engines,
typically developmental PC-10 oil (now API CJ-4) in early
The soot leve! was calculated by measuring the weigbt
work or API CJ-4 oils.
change from a flat portion of tbe trace prior to switching to
the oxygen atrnosphere (-650ºC) and after the curve
Analytical Procedures flattened out (- 750ºC). Dividing by the original weight of
the sample yielded tbe percentage of soot in the sample.
Soot Analysis
A sligbt modification to the ASTM D 5967-05 (Thermo­
gravimetric Analysis, TGA) method was used to analyze the
Oil Ouality
soot content úf ali tbe oil samples and soot mat samples Analysis of ali oil samples for standard oil quality
described in this paper. Ali soot leve! measurements measurements were performed at Súuthwest Researcb
described in the paper represen! weight-percent soot. Institute or CTC Analytical Services.

Using a higher final temperature than �peci:fied in the ASTM
D 5967-05 method allowed us to obtain the ash content in
addition to the soot level. This modification called for
running tbe temperature program to 1000 C rather than the
750 C specified.
Tbe sample size was also reduced to 1 mL or less in order to
mimmize the amount of oil removed from the scaled down
electro-agglomeration test cell. This is an important
consideration in studies calling for successive sampling over
INITIAL TRIALS
Figure 3 shows tbe time course of soot removal from oil
containing a higb leve! of soot. Tbe oil was obtained from tbe
sump of a heavy duty diese! engine following cúmpletion of a
Mack T-11 test. Also shúwn in .Figure 3 is the measured
current in the test oil over the 8 bour duration of this study.
The initial soot level of the undiluted oil sample was 6.51
weight %. Small oil samples, 0.25 mL, were removed from
tbe test oil periúdically and the soot levels were determined
as described in the Experimental Section. Soot levels in the

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test oíl were dropped rapidly during tbe first two bours but was attained. Tbe electrodes were positioned vertically and in
dropped at a mucb slower rate for tbe remaining 6 bours. Tbe paraUel in the flask using a spacing of about 1.5 cm. Small
final soot leve! in tbe treated oil was about 0.6 weigbt %. Tbe samples of tbe treated oíl were removed at the times indicated
measured current in tbe test cell also dropped off rapidly witb in Figures 6 and ]. The soot levels in the sampled oíl and the
removal of soot from tbe test oil. Tbe thick, gelatinous soot final soot mat on the collecting electrode were measured.
mat wlricb formed on tbe catbodic (+) electrode was removed
and TGA analysis indicated a soot content of about 24% by
weigbt. A representative photograph of a collecting electrode
covered witb soot is shown in Figure 4.

Time Course of Soot Removal From Used Oil

7_ _ 15__k_V-_U_n_di1_ut_ed_U_s_ed_o_;:_áool_l_,:_
T ac_-1_
·_k1_E�n9 �;n_e_e
T _1-
s -
�

6
O -S001(%)
¡sr--";----;;=�
=:::�!'':�:·�·10�)1----------1
e
� 4 ·1-'c---\
�
�3

?g 2 -¡------\�--- �-�---:���=----==:::;-j
Figure 5. Dynamic SO()t electro-agglomeration test cell
01--�-�---------�-�--- set 11p.
o 60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480
Time (Minuto&)

Figure 3. Soot leve/ and current vs. time i,, used Mack
T-11 test engine (Ji/ witl, a 15 k V exposure. Soot level.1·
are shown in black, and the meal·11red cu"ent is ploued
in red.
Figure 4. Typical .w,ot mat accumuÚJ.tion "" the electrode
in the electro-agglomeration apparatlls.
Results of severa( soot removal runs using the same electrode
are sbown in Figures 6 and]. Voltage was applied to the J st
batch of oíl for 8 bours, and tbe soot leve( dropped from 2.3
to 0.5%. Tbe soot depleted oil was replaced witb additional
2.3% soot oil, and tbe voltage was applied for an adclitional 8
bours. During the 2nd eigbt-bour segment, the initial soot
removal rate was lower than observed previously. Tbe final
soot leve( in tbe 2nd segment was 0.8%. Figure 7 shows the
time course of soot accumulation on tbe collecting electrode.
Tbe .soot leve( in tbe oil as determined by TGA of each oíl
sample and final soot mat weight were used to determine the
loaclings at each time point and tbe final electrode soot
loacling (greater tban 0.5 g soot/ cm2 of electrode area).

Figures 5, .Q and 1 describe work to determine tbe following:

Sequential Soot Removal by Electroagglomeration
Ur.e::I 01 r,crn Máek T.11 Ci!ll.r.ó.,.rlh PC-10 Oil. El�c�,óde f.Ox60 me��, Stt'i:I
2.50
maximum electrode soot loading capacity for engine oils, AdditOnal Sooted
2.25
electrode geometry and materials, and operating conclitions. v,,=,eó, '- . J-S k'v' (lbl)i;!Jh- 2 OOd!iom;. (';f
2.00 �' 80«00 CII)
Used oíl from a Mack T-11 engine test was diluted witb \

-
1.75 " '
PC-10 (now API CJ-4) oil to a soot leve( of2.l - 2.3 weigbt

"�-
� 1.50
% and used in tbe following work. This work was performed
'g 1, 25
to facilitate scale-up calculations by c-0mpleting multiple
1.00
Ioadings with the same electr-0de set. At the end of each 8-
11')
��
hour loading cycle, the soot leve! bad dropped to a relatively
0.75
0.50
......
.._ ___
consisten! value. Tbe soot-depleted oíl was then removed, 0,25
and additional oil witb 2.1 % soot was added to the test cell. 0.00
Tbe work was done in a tbree-neck round bottomed flask 0001ro100••�=-���rn•-m�
Time (Minutes)
surrounded by a beating mantle as sbown in Figure 5. The 50
ce contents of tbe test oíl were recirculated tbrougb the flask Figure 6. Seq11e11tiol pmcel·l·ing of two batches of.w}(Jted
using the externa] pump shown in the Figure 5 below at a oiL
flow rate of 1 O cchninute with the temperature c-0ntrolled
to100 ºC. Voltage was appüed after tbe target temperature

562 S'AE Tm..l. FueL, Lubr. 1 Volume 3 1 L,sue 2

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hours at 100 ºC. Treatments were performed under flow at a

�=;..;.._;_........;.=___;...;...;-'-;..;..;...;.-'--=====..;..;;'---
Electrode Soot Loadlng
07
. 0
Uied Oil (!Qm M;ac;k. T-11 OihAld wilh PC-10 Oil· Elct<:� 00x60 m•h $!ni rate of 1Occ/minute.
-S kV (Tl'wQl,gh 2 ttedibOl\:s d
�0.60 &ooted oll)
Elemental analysis was perfonned by Southwest Research
!l
¡o.ro· Institute using ASTM D5185, and the results are shown in

...
.!!o 40
e
,;
Table 1. There was no significant impact on elemental
composition attributable to the higb voltage treatment in fresb
oil. Sorne reduction in measured values for iron and sodium
...
30.30
•!0. 20 +---==-----------------3
was observed in high voltage treated used oil compared to
untreated used oi l. Fresh oíl did not contain significant
wo.10 amounts of either of these two elements. Tbe reason for the

=���
reduction of iron and sodium in bigh voltage treated used oil
0.00 --------�-----�-----
000120100 - - - � � � - - m is unclear at present.
Time (Minutes)

Figure 7. Progressive electrode loading after 2 hatche.� of Table J. The ejfect of T,igh voltage expo.mre ,m the
.W)()fed oiL eleme11tal compositi()n in hotl, fresh and 11sed oil
contai11ing 2% .W)()t.
Fresh Mobil Oelvac 1300
Total base number (TBN) is an important oil quality SuperOII Uscd Oil Containing 2% Soot
parameter and should be sensitive to any chemical changes or EtementaJ by
ICP(ASTM Untreeted
Exposod to Untreated Expogod to
10 kV DC 10 kV DC
micellar disruptions whicb might occur due to the high D51851
1 2 1 1
voltages electro-agglomeration would impose. The impact on Al
Sb .,1 <1 <1 <1
heavy-duty oil total base number during exposure to higb e, <1 <1 <1 <1
62 58
voltage in our electro-agglomeration set up is shown in B
Cd
63
<1
64
<1 <1 <1
Figure 8. A sample of fresh PC-10 (now API CJ-4) beavy c. 2586 2567 2293 2364
duty motor oil was exposed to 15 kV electric field for 6.5 e, <1 <1 1 1
Cu <1 <1 <1 <1
bours. Oil samples were taken periodically and the TBN Fe 2 2 28 19
Pb <1 <1 2 2
values were determined using ASTM method D4739. No Mo 498 W7 352 371
measurable impact on TBN was found. Mn <1 <1 <1 <1
M-0 49 •9 35 '19
Ni <1 1 <1 <1 <1
p 1309 1300 1129 1151
EffecC of Electric Fleld Exposure on TBN

----·--��------------·
K <5 <5 <5 <5

t
l Fresh E.xxonMobll PC-10 ói -15 i<V Ex,:osure
10 ,....____________....,______.. Si � 4 � 3
An <1 <1 <1 <1
Na <5 <5 391 290
&- s, 4 4 3 3
Sn <1 <1 <1 <1
Ti <1 <1 <1 <1
V <1 <1 <1 <1
Zn 1458 1473 1256 1247

Figure 9 shows results of the kinematic viscosity analyses

2 method D445. The JO kV treatment had little measurable
o ==�r-===---===--i===-,c==-==-==='I
o 120 180
Exposure Time (Mh"lules)
Figure 8. The effect of high voltage exposure on tl1e
TBN offresh PC-10 oil.
Additional oil property analyses were also performed,
including elemental analysis, kinematic viscosity and acid
number. The effect of exposure to 10 kV (DC) was
determined both in fresh oil (Mobil Delvac 1300 Super), as
well as used oil from a Mack T-11 engine test diluted with
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super oíl to a soot leve! of 2%. Fresh or
2% sooted oils were exposed to JO kV for a period of 12
performed by Southwe�t Researcb Institute using ASTM
impact on the viscosity of fresh oil. However, the exposure
420
was found to reduce the kinematic viscosity significantly
from greater than 16.5 cSt in untreated used oil to less than
14 cSt in the used oil subjected to our soot electro­
agglomeration treatment. Toe primary cause for tbis
reduction in viscosity is almos! certainly due to the fact tbat
much of tbe soot was removed in tbe electro-agglomeration
treatment process. Tbe measured viscosity in tbe JO kV
treated used oíl was somewhat lower than expected for
reasons unknown at present.

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efficiencies were low. Tbe soot was sliding off of the

Elfect of Electric Field Exposure on Viscosity electrodes and subsequently mixing back into tbe oil.
Fresh and 2% Sooted m
17
Elfect of High Voltage on ""id Nunt>er
16.5 �---------- Frooh and 2% Sooted Oil
2.5 •
rs 16 -----------
º
o
�
@) 15.5 2
-!2'
�
15
�--1untre11ed I=::;::::;:::;--- :e
o ..-u,eeted
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§
14.5 ---1
r,....d ---
.8
1

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z
3 1
:2
ic 13.5
0.5--1
13

12.5 �_..,___,___.....,___
Fresh Oil Used Oil, 2% Soot Fresh 011 U sed 011, 2% Soot

Figure 9. The effect "f high voltage exp"sure on tl1e Figure 1O. The ejfect of high V(J/tage exp"sure <m the
kinematic visc"sity infresh w,d in 2% s""' co11tent used acid number in fresh and in 2% s<J<Jt C(Jnfetlt used "il.
oil.

Figure 10 shows the effect on acid numbet of the 10 kV

electro-agglomeration treatment in fresb and used oíls. Tbese
analyses were performed by Soutbwest Researcb Institute
tL�ing ASTM metbod D664. The 10 kV treatment had little if
any effect on tbe acid number of fresb oil. A reduction in acid
number was seen in tbe used oíl containing 2% soot, but tbe
reduction was mínima! in nature.

Variation in the results

With the bare electrodes, we noticed that tbe soot removal
efficiencies varied when different diluents were used to dilute
tbe sooty oíl to -2%-3% soot. Tbe soút removal efficiencies
varied from 13% to 79%, Figure 14. In Súme cases tbe soot
collected tigbtly on the electrode (Figure 11) wlrile in otber
cases tbe soot gathered loosely on tbe electrode and Figure 11. De11se S""' c"llectüm
subsequently slid off of it, Figures 12, 11- Pruct of tbe soot
settled to the bottom wlrile the rest mixed back in tbe oil. Tbe
variation in the results could be becatL�e of tbe differences in
tbe formulatiúns ()f tbe oils used as diluent�.

Tbe concept was proven initially witb lab trials with bare
electrodes on a smaller scale using .static oil. The disparity in
performance was then confirmed in flow condition in beaker
trials using bare elee,1rodes. Once the consistency and
parameters were established, fuU scale trials with a larger
fixture were performed. However, wlrile running tbe full
scale trials, it was noticed tbat the effect of flow was more
sign jficant that in a small scale tria! and consequently the

564 SAE !111••T. PueL, Lubr. 1 Vo/unu? 3 1 l,sue 2

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lt n,v .., k � 11#'.J UI • r al11 as. Atrililll# wttwrua"'*', ,- ..._era,..,, .. -, pat _. 1, a:, --.c.
Do aloaJ,4,,._ (A.Ebtl11 ,e lh 1t w...- Madlwt T� d1.,10 JJ:A1

consisted of two concentric electrodes made of wire mesh.

The inside mesh was the negative electrode wlúle the outside
mesh was the positive electrode. The outside electrode, wlúch
was the soot gathering electrode, was 5" in diameter and 10"
in height. The contaminant oil used for the tria! was from a
Mack T-11 test. The contaminan! oil was diluted to 3.7% soot
content using Mobil Delvac 1300 super, SAE 15W-40 oil of
APT CJ-4 caregory. The oil volume used for the scale up tria!
was 17 gallons and the flow rate was set at 0.04gpm. The
operating voltage was set at lOkV. Samples were taken every
4hrs and soot leve! of each sample was measured. The test
was terminated a.fter 24hrs as only 5% soot removal was
observed. Upon examination of the test fixture after the test
was terminated, it was considered likely that the flow was
Figure 12. L()ose S()()t collectfon significantly hindering the soot removal capability. The flow
effects were further magnified compared to the smaU scale
runs, and very little soot remained attached to the electrodes
as shown in Figure 15. Sorne of the soot was gathered at the
bottom of the fixture as shown in Figure 16, but most of the
soot was dissolving back into the oil.

Figure 13. S()(Jt co/1.ection at hottom

Bare electrode -Oiluent varlatlon Figure 15. Dripping S()()t

a�-------------�
25
-
•1152

r--Rotella OIIIJ!!l'II
1-Star SMOO�dlUIMt

05

O'----------------!
o 2 3 • 5 G 7
Testow-auon

Figure 14. Effect of d.iluent� 011 the efficiency of.�fHJt

C()l/ection

Figure 16. Loose S()Ot at bottom

INITIAL SCALED UP TRIALS
A scaled-up run was performed to evaluate the initial design
of the electrodes and to understand the effects of flow on the
concept. The fixture for the scaled-up trials on the soot stand

SAE Tm..!. FueL, Lubr. 1 Volume 3 1 l,.we 2 565

 UTS VJt ,..� nr :s A, IN11!RNAT co,r ,n
"...,.., Ñ ,..,.o,IMOI. �- .�,,.... �"""- �� ....... ,,, .. ,..,, ...,¡,,,. tlll') .., ..u.
_.,,,_ ,.,,,__ -.,,y.,¡w .11, � -o:. 01 1'M

MEDIA WRAPPED ELECTRODE Medla-Wrapped Electrode. Diluent conslsteocy

After the initial scaled-up trials, the use of media-wrapped 3.5 � -----------
�
electrodes were evaluated and found to help retain and build
3

.,
the soot cake. Small scale beaker trials in the lab resulted in
soot removal in excess of 90%, as shown in Fi2ure 20 and 25
[
resulted in clearer- looking oils within 3 hours as shown in -- Ro:eta; Dh1el'II:
t
Fi2ures 17 and .l.ll. This concept also increased the robustness � 1s t------.C:,.,,;:::----------; -Star 8 �lotM'I ditoont

of the process and helped mininúze variations between base

oils diluents, as shown in Fi2ure 19. The concept was tben
scaled up and different design variations were incorporated to
O'--�-�-�------�
increase the consistency of soot collection along the length of O 05 1.5 ,. s
the fixture. Adding spacers between the media layers helped Tut Ooratfon (Hr&;t
optimize the soot collecting volume. This also helped
increase the soot density of the contaminan! removed, from Figure 19. Mi11imized performance varia.ion due w
29% to 35% based on TGA measurements. diluents

SCALED-UP TRIAL WITH THE

MEDIA WRAPPED ELECTRODES Media wrapped electrode - lmproveo performance

The test contaminan! and the test conditions for the scaled-up l.5 ,----------- --

trial with media wrapped electrodes were similar to those for

the bare electrode trial�. The test was performed at a voltage -0.:rccle:e;tro�c 1
of lOkV 011 the soot �1.and shown in Figure 21, with the -o:11e-
· el!:C:lro:!e2
fixture shown in Figure 22. The starting soot level was 3. 7%. -B8'e eie.::tro�e J
Moo1a •.,.r�� Elect� 1
Samples were taken every 4hrs, and soot content was --.- Mc;1� •1,ropp;d <1loct{W(J 2
measured. A few changes were made to tbe fixture to -¡c-r.1ee1a ,,..r�peo e1toetroce ,)

accommodate the media and improve tbe soot collection

space over the various iterations. A stepped inner electrode o>-------------
was designed in order to get a more uniform collection of o 2 3

soot along the lengtb of tbe fixture, as shown in Fi2ure 23. ,�,... Our;:ation

Spacers were added in between the media layers to increase

the space available for soot collection. Figure 20. lmproved renwval with media wrapped
electrode (Sume contaminant oil)

Figure 17. Test oil, Be/ore te.,t

Figure 21. Soot Sta11d

Figure 18. Te�t oil, after 3hr test

566 SAE /ne..J. Fuel, Lubr. 1 Volume 3 1 lrsue 2

 TR1SDOCUME nOTEC1T.DIIY u ANDTNTKllNAJ: ONAL conv ur
� .., .. � ... ... ,criff.Q
o...-AI¡,-
ldal.,lt..,,....,,..,. ,,1,111,,,,,,.,""'9 ..f.!,A1Jllirm
,.,.,,.._., idt-o(W--111- '1'1u,,wq
••, .., __
V.�· Jrll

Figure 22. Assemhled Fixture

Figures 24, 25. S""t collection "n tl1e '"l' surface and
hetween the layers.

As the soot removal tapered off, the test was initiaUy stopped
and the fixture evaluated. The soot was captured on the outer
surface of the media, in the media and in between the layers
of the media, as shown in Figures 24, 25. It was determined
that the media was saturated with soot. The test was extended
with a new media to see if the more soot C<>uld be removed or
if we had reached a limit for the concept under flow
conditions. The media was replaced with fresh media again at
260hrs. Tbe test was finally terminated after 360hrs as the
soot removal rate had slowed down even when the media was
not satun1ted. The ending soot level was 0.85%,
demonstr'.iting a soot reduction of more than 75%, as shown
in Figure 26. 1377g of contaminant were collected on the
media. Upon performing TGA analysi.s of the contaminant, it
Figure 23. Interna/ Mesh was found tbat about 35% of the contaminant, 482g was soot;
the rest was entr'.tpped oil. Toe concept was tried out for
different levels of soot concentration and similar levels of
soot reduction were observed at ali of them.

SAE lnt..T. FueJs Lubr. 1 Volume 3 1 krue 2 567

 nno s. 1'TUNAnDNA.L COPHJGIU
T DO UM
� fllll H �. mrnJ la•......,...,
JY V
qll.,, IJ.trljs/d"' tramln'af,. ,_ •i,ql,r.,. .."'11, ,_ M1J;,r. o,).111111 •--
Dow.-.JJt- /lJ.Bála o:.,i:.IHn!t}<fW-·- 'J' .._61.111 u,n rJI

the voltage approached zero, there was no soot removal.

Electro Agglomeration Trial on Soot Stand

""-------------------- Further work need� to be performed to scale-up these trials.

""
... SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Given the importance of soot removal in extending the
lubrication oíl life and reducing engine wear, and the limited
performance of the current soot removal and filtration
solutions, the technology presented here represents a
...
... ---- -·------------------­ TH( Outltion (Hours)
signifícant advance. This technique is based on the charged
particles of soot and the application of a voltage to attract and
capture the soot particles. Toe concept is simple as it utilizes
off-the-shelf components. The media and the mesh are
Figure 26. Soot removal profile with the scaled up readily available while a miniature power supply can easily
fixture be developed to power the unit. Based on development to
date, this technology will provide a very efficient and cost
effective approach to soot control in a variety of diese(

;"" =
Effect of Voltage applications sucb as in mobile vehicles sucb as off-road

�:;; _ /·-· =-:

machines or on-highway trucks as well as in stationary

-
100%
90% -12sv applications. More work is needed to optimize the size and
-2sov design of tbe electrode geometry as weU in fínalizing the
é --·
80%
70% t/ 7"'"-
-soov voltage source.
.; 80%
I, . ,.,,..
-� ------- -1kV
" 50%
¡¡ ' .----------
o:
oo
40%-
\+' .
''I .--------
¿
--
/ -2kV
-3kV
REFERENCES
'7 '/'
30%
20% -4kV J. Bartz, W.J., Engine OiLv And Autm1wtive Lubrication,
10% /J-- 5kV publisbed, Marce! Dekker, Inc., 1993. p. 149-173.
0%
o 10 20 30 40 50 60 2, Samways, A.L., US. Paterit, 6,984,200, January 2006.
Test Duration (Hours) 3. Herman, P.K., Pardue, B.A., US. Pate11t, 5,637,217, June
1997.
Figure 27. High effide11cies were observed eve11 at lower
volt.ages. 4. Onodera, Y., Mihara, K., US. Patent, 5,779,618, July
1998.
S. Bier, M., Electroplwresis, published Academic Press Inc.,
OPPORTUNITY AT LOWER 1959.
VOLTAGES 6. Mjgaku, J., Japan Patent, JP2005207309, 2005.
Additional work was performed to evaluate the effectiveness
of the concept at lower voltages. The intention was to look
into the possibility of using altemate low voltage sources to
power tbe unit. As is evident from Figure 27, the
effectiveness of the concept is a fímction of time. \Ve were
successfully able to remove more tban 70% soot even at
voltages as low as 500V, as sbown in Figure 27. However, as

568 SAE lm..!. FueL, Lubr. J Volume 3 J L,sue 2