US1914999A - Filtering used motor oils - Google Patents

Description

PatentedJune 20,1933

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. MAVERICK AND GEORGE L. IATHESON, OF ELIZABETH, NEW ASQIGNOBS T STANDARD OIL DEVELOPIEN'I' COMPANY FILTERING USED IO'I'OB OILS Io Drawing.

It'is common practice in the operation of automobile en es to by-pass a portion of the crank case ubricating oil so that it passes through a filtering material adapted to take out the small partlcles of metal, dirt or other impurities collected by the oil. Wool and fibrous asbestos have been suggested as suitable materials for this purpose.

' We have found that improved results are obtained by the use of a fibrous or filamentons material prepared from blast furnace sla or analogous material as hereinafter de ed. The general type of material is This material gives a slightly alkaline reaction in water. We have demonstrated that this alkalinity is advantageous in automobile filters as it neutralizes the acidity which tends to develop in the oil.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular composition 1ndicated above. The essential requirements for mineral wool to be used in this invention are that it shall be composed of interlaced or matted fibers capable of forming a depth filter bed which will take up the impurities throughout its mass. For best results the fllter bed should serve also to neutralize the acidity of the oil.

If in any case the slag (or equlvalent artificially formed mineral fusion product) does not contain naturally enough basic material for this purpose, an adequate amount may be added in the form of a solid base (prefer- 5 ably anhydrous) such as sodium oxide, potassium oxide, magnesium oxide, the corresponding carbonates, and the like. It is preferred to add these materials to the slag while fused and before the blowing treatment 50 which divides it into the filamentous or Application am March 10, 1932. Serial in. 590,092.

fibrous form (slag wool). However, it is wlthin the scope of the invention to incorporate alkali into the fibres in other ways, as

by commingling the same with small amounts of solid alkaline materials insoluble 1n 011, after the slag has been finely divided.

In some cases the slag fibres contain short pieces WlllCll are objectionable in the filter. To remove these pieces the slag fibres may be treated by gentle air blowing to displace them, or by slowly passing liquid through the material to float away the small undesired particles.

Our invention has been described particularly 1n connection with filling material for filters on automobiles or other self-propelled veh1cles, but it will be understood that other applications of the idea are equally advantageous, for example, in filters for use in oil reclauners and the like.

The invention is not limited to any particular form of oil filter. For example, the fibrous slag may be used in structures of the kmd shown 1n the application of Frank A. gggard, Serial No. 597,591, filed March 8,

Although reference has been made par ticularly to the use of fibers from blast furnace slag, the invention is not limited to this source of material. Many types of artificlally prepared mineral wool and glass wool possess the necessary interlaced filamentous structure and have, or can be supplied with, the basic character which improves the operatlon of the present composition. If desired minor proportions of other fibrous materials may be 1n'corporated with the slag filaments or the like, for example cotton linters, wool, asbestos, etc.

Various changes or alternative compositions may be adopted within the scope of the present invention in which it is our desire to claim all inherent novelty as broadly as the prior art permits.

We claim i 95 1. Method of purifying used lubricating oil, comprising pasing the same through a. mass of an artificially formed mineral fusion product having a fibrous structure adapted to remove solid particles from the oil and containing, as an integral part of the mass, a lkaline material adapted to neutralize acidic compounds in the oil.

2. Method according to claim 1 in whlch 5 the fibrous, artificially formed, mineral fusion product is fibrous basic slag.

3. .Method according to claim 1 in which the fibrous, artificially formed, mineral fusion product contains alkaline material added to the fusion product before the formation of fibers therefrom.

4. Method of purifyin lubricating oil while it is being circulate to and from the crank case of an internal combustion engine,

comprising continuously passing the 011 in increments through a mass of basic slag Wool.

5. Method of purifying lubricating oil while it is being circulated to and from the crank case of an internal combustion engine,

2 comprising continuously passing said oil through a fibrous mass of an artificially formed mineral fusion product containing a substantial quantity of alkaline material as an integral part of the fibrous mass.

6. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter, a filter bed comprising fibers of an artificially formed mineral fusion product in condition to act as a depth filter when oil is passed therethrough and containing, as an integral part thereof, alkaline material adapted to neutralize acidic compounds in the oil.

7. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of the depth type for 3 use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to and from the crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bed comprising fibrous slag containing, as an integral part thereof, alkaline material adapted to neutralize acidic 40 compounds in the oil.

8. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of the depth type for use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to and from the crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bed comprising a mass of basic slag wool.

9. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of the depth type for use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to 60 and from the crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bed comprising slag wool containing, as an integral part thereof, alkaline material added to the slag before the formation of the wool therefrom.

10. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter, an oil filtering composition comprising fibrous slag from which the shorter pieces have been removed and which contains a substantial quantity of alkaline material as an integral part of the slag.

' GEORGE M. MAVERICK. GEORGE L. MATHESON.