An Interesting Method of Reclaiming Waste Oil
Page 62
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THEquestion of lubrication has received much attention from fleet owners, and it is generally accepted that the use of the best lubricant available, whilst higher in first cost, is justified in the long run by lower maintenance figures. In order to save waste, various methods of reclaiming crankcase drainings have been tried, and the Stream-line filter process is one of them. This method has proved satisfactory and in one direction has, we learn, solved the problem of waste oil in the operation of a fleet of some 250 hire cars.
The Stream-line apparatus comprises a filter, air bottle, drain tank, clean-oil receiver and vacuum pump. Supported above the filter unit is a tank for dirty oil. A pipe from the dirty-oil tank to the fitter unit is so arranged that oil is drawn off 3 ins, from the bottom in order that any sludge and water that have collected may be drained off at convenient intervals.
The method of reclaiming the oil is as follows :—The control handle of the apparatus is set in the " filter" positionThe air-vent petcock near the B44 top of the filter is opened until oil appears, showing that the filter is full; it is then closed. The filter is heated to a temperature of SO degrees C. or 180 degrees F., electricity or steam heat being supplied as desired.
After heating, the vacuum pump is started and run until a vacuum of 23 ins, is attained. The oil then passes through the filter, under the agency of the vacuum, into the clean-oil receiver, ready to be drawn off as required.
The Stream-line filter is, we understand, used successfully by Godfrey Davies, Ltd., which operates a large fleet of hire cars, and it is interesting to note that, in this instance, the reclaimed oil is used for mixing with petrol, thus demonstrating its purity and cleanliness.
In this particular case, the oil, after reclamation, flows by gravity to a storage tank near the petrol tanks, and when a new supply of petrol is taken in the oil is mixed with it (to the -extent of Li per cent.) at a pressure of 40 lb. per square inch.
Oil reclaimed by this process can, of course, be used again in the engine.