Environmentally friendly acid neutralizing full flow cartridge

Abstract

An environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge is adapted to be mounted in a cartridge mounting body of an engine oil circuit for filtering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil. The filter cartridge comprises a support housing that comprises substantially no metal parts such that the filter cartridge can be readily incinerated. A full flow particulate filter and a bypass particulate filter are arranged in the support housing. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is contained in the support housing. The housing is configured such that a predetermined primary flow path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes through the full flow particulate filter and bypassing the bed of acid neutralizing particles; and a predetermined bypass path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes, in sequence, through the bed of acid neutralizing particles and the bypass particulate filter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 387,240, filed Jun. 7, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 387,235 filed Jun. 7, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for neutralizing acid in fluid circulating systems. More particularly, the invention is directed toward an apparatus for removing acids from lubrication oil in oil circulating systems such as the oil systems associated with a diesel engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Heavy duty diesel engine life, or time to rebuild, has historically been linked directly to piston ring, cylinder liner and / or crank shaft bearing life (referred to as “bearings” for sake of simplicity). Engine design parameters require that these engine components be lubricated, typically with a film lubricant of oil separating these engine components to prevent or minimize direct meta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is directed toward an environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge for filtering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil in which the environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter comprising substantially no metal parts such that the support housing can be more completely incinerated. The filter cartridge comprises top and bottom nonmetallic end caps. A generally cylindrical full flow particulate filter is secured axially between the top and bottom end caps. A nonmetallic reactor body extends axially between the top and bottom end caps. The reactor body comprises a reactor chamber and a venturi conduit. The reactor chamber has at least one reactor inlet port and at least one reactor outlet port. The venturi conduit includes a constricted portion with the at least one outlet port arranged relative to the constricted portion such that when fluid flows through the venturi conduit, fluid is drawn through the at least one reactor outlet port. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is arranged in the reactor chamber between the at least one reactor inlet port and the at least one reactor outlet port. A second filter is arranged downstream of the bed of acid neutralizing particles for preventing acid neutralizing particles from exiting the filter cartridge during use.

Problems solved by technology

Instead the primary diesel engine wear component influencing engine life is corrosive wear caused by sulfur and nitrogen containing acids that are formed as products of combustion.

One estimate is that more than 70% of heavy duty diesel engine wear is caused by such combustion acid metal corrosion.

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