What is diesel engine soot?

Engine Soot

 

What is diesel engine soot?

Diesel engine soot is a natural byproduct of the internal combustion process. When diesel fuel is burned in the engine, it undergoes incomplete fuel combustion, leading to the formation of tiny, solid particles known as soot (soot formation). These fine black particles are composed of carbon and other elements that were not completely oxidized during the combustion process. Soot is the reason engine lube oil turns black. 

Soot is carbon particles due to incomplete combustion.

The accumulation of excessive soot leads to lube oil thickening, which causes poor oil flow during engine startup and reduces the engine’s lubrication efficiency. Soot accumulates and begins to cluster, and the lube oil filter will collect more soot (over a certain micron rating) and eventually reach its filtration capacity. Once the lube oil filter reaches capacity, the engine demands lube oil filtered or unfiltered.

When the percentage of engine soot increases, this results in an oil viscosity increase. If allowed to accumulate at high levels, the engine wear metals will also increase. The diesel engine oil increases in viscosity due to higher levels of soot loading. There is a tendency for greater amounts of the thickened oil to accumulate on the engine cylinder wall. All are leading to increased oil consumption.

 

The Impact of Diesel Engine Soot

1. Reduced Fuel Efficiency

Soot accumulation in the engine can lead to decreased fuel efficiency over time. The fine particles obstruct the smooth flow of air and fuel, causing the engine to work harder to maintain performance. This increased effort translates to higher diesel fuel consumption.

2. Engine Wear and Tear

The abrasive nature of diesel engine soot can contribute to premature wear and tear. As soot particles (particulate matter) circulate through the engine components, they act like tiny, abrasive agents, gradually degrading the engine’s components. This wear and tear can lead to costly repairs, increase the total cost of ownership (TCO), and shorten the engine’s lifespan. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is calculated to include the engine purchase price plus operating costs, over the engine lifespan. 

The diesel engine soot is one of the leading causes of costly breakdowns and unscheduled maintenance. Diesel engine soot consists of a complex structure of pure, hard carbon surrounded by a sticky layer of organic compounds that cause the soot particles to stick together and form deposits in your engine lube oil, bearings, cylinder walls, and EGR plumbing.  

 

Mitigating Diesel Engine Soot Issues

To ensure the longevity and efficiency of your diesel engine, prioritizing regular maintenance is non-negotiable. Routine upkeep not only enhances performance but also serves as a proactive measure against the notorious soot buildup. Full-flow oil filters can not remove all particles and soot. Upgrading your diesel engine oil filtration system to include a bypass centrifuge filter can make a substantial difference. A bypass centrifuge filter will capture and trap diesel engine soot particles and other solid contamination missed by the full-flow oil filters, reducing the engine’s wear and tear.

Keep soot lower and the oil cleaner with a Bypass Centrifuge Filter!

A bypass centrifuge filter is installed as a bypass system, working in conjunction with cleanable filter elements. The engine oil pressure (or external feed pump) drives the bypass centrifuge filter. The centrifugal force generated within the centrifuge bowl separates the soot, dirt, and solid particles from the lube oil. Bypass centrifuge filters are more environmentally friendly than systems that utilize disposable filter elements. Cleaning the bypass centrifuge filter eliminates the expense of replacement filter elements and the cost of hazardous waste disposal. Bypass centrifuge filters have an effective particle size removal below 1 micron (1 µm) and have a filtration efficiency that does not deteriorate with time. 

Soot Management

The objective of a bypass centrifuge filter is to remove impurities, soot particles, and solid particulate matter from the lubrication oil. Poor lube oil quality may cause increased wear on the crankshaft, camshaft, turbocharger, and other vital engine parts, and replacement of expensive components may be required. A bypass centrifuge filter is an efficient oil filtration solution. Bypass centrifuge filters capture and remove the soot produced by the engine. 

The IOW Group bypass centrifuge filter harnesses centrifugal force (g-force) to separate solids from the liquid phase (clarification = liquid/solids separation). The solid particles are forced to the outer centrifuge bowl wall due to the centrifugal force created in the unit. The cleaned lube oil moves towards the centrifuge bowl center and discharges through the outlet. 

When considering a bypass centrifuge filter, you must consider the technology’s features, advantages, and benefits. What makes the IOW Group bypass centrifuge filter the market-leading bypass filtration centrifuge?

• • Bowl Disc Technology: Increasing efficiency by removing even more contaminants. The only diesel engine oil pressure-powered centrifuge to use bowl disc – usually associated with much larger centrifuges – allows the IOW centrifugal filtration unit to remove significantly more small particles than any other competitor.
  • Fully Sealed Centrifuge Bowl: Reduced risk of cross-contamination between cleaned and dirty oil.
  • Remote Monitoring: Provides operators and systems with valuable insight into its speed, cleaning, and service requirements. The IOW bypass centrifuge filter is the only product on the market that provides operators with a choice of remote monitoring. Remote monitoring helps the operator ensure that the bypass centrifuge filter runs optimally. This reduces servicing man hours and increases productivity.
  • Distributor Impeller: Eliminates back pressure by drawing in contaminated oil. Lube oil enters the centrifuge at the base and, while spinning, draws oil into the centrifuge by the distributor impeller. This reduces the risk of back pressure causing cross-contamination and increases the centrifuge bowl (rotor) speed. Higher centrifuge RPMs generate higher centrifugal force, increasing the separation efficiency. 

Clean lubricating oil is the lifeblood of your equipment, and keeping it clean can mean the difference between a smooth-running machine and a costly breakdown. IOW Group is a world leader in bypass centrifuge filter technology. To learn more, visit our IOW Group centrifugal bypass filter webpage or IOW Group’s centrifugal bypass filter webpage.