The influence of an oil recycler on emissions with oil age for a refuse truck using in service testing

A method of cleaning lubricating oil on line was investigated using a fine bypass particulate filter followed by an infra red heater. Two bypass filter sizes of 6 and 1 micron were investigated, both filter sizes were effective but the one micron filter had the greatest benefit. This was tested on two nominally identical EURO 1 emissions compliance refuse trucks, fitted with Perkins Phazer 210Ti 6 litre turbocharged intercooled engines and coded as RT320 and RT321. These vehicles had emissions characteristics that were significantly different, in spite of their similar age and total mileage. RT321 showed an apparent heavier black smoke than RT320. Comparison was made with the emissions on the same vehicles and engines with and without the on-line bypass oil recycler. Engine exhaust emissions were measured about every 400 miles. Both vehicles started the test with an oil drain and fresh lubricating oil. The two refuse trucks were tested in a different sequence, the RT320 without the recycler fitted and then fitted later and the RT321 with the recycler fitted and then removed later in the test and both without any oil change. The RT320 was also the one with the finer bypass filter. The test mileage was nearly 8,000 miles both trucks. The air/fuel ratio was worked out by the exhaust gas analysis. The correlation between air/fuel ratio and emission parameters was determined and appropriate corrections were made in the case of that the air/fuel ratio had an effect on emissions. The results showed that the on line oil recycler cleaning system can reduce the rate of increase of the NOx with oil age. There appeared little influence of the oil recycler on carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. The rate of increase in particulate emissions was reduced by 50% for RT320 and an immediate decrease in particulate emissions was seen on RT320 test after fitting the recycler. The black smoke was reduced by 30% for RT320 in terms average value and an immediate decrease in smoke after fitting the recycler on RT320 test and an immediate increase in smoke after the removal of the recycler on RT321 test were shown.