JPS58145793A - Method and apparatus for purification of lubricating oil - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove contaminating fine particles in lubricating oil efficiently, by giving vibration to said fine particles in lubricating oil in the presence of a high- molecular flocculant to promote growth and aggregation of the particles and removing the flocculates. CONSTITUTION:A high-molecular flocculant is added to lubricating oil to be purified in which fine particles of contaminants such as unburnt fine particles formed in a combustion stage of a machine are suspended, and the lubricating oil is led into a purifying tank 1. When valve-opening signal to a solenoid valve 24 is stopped, a signal is sent from a controller 25 to an alternate high-voltage generator 10, which in turn applies alternate high-voltage between the purifying tank 1 and an electrode 14. Thus contaminating fine particles suspended in the lubricating oil are vibrated and growth and aggregation of the particles are promoted. The lumps of contaminating particles settle down by the action of gravity into collectors 22, 23 at the bottom of the purifying tank 1 and are discharged as a drain cock 20 is opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing contaminant particles such as carbon particles contained in lubricating oil.

Diesel engines have superior fuel efficiency compared to gasoline engines, so their use as engines for passenger cars has gradually expanded in recent years. However, the combustion gas produced by the combustion process of a diesel engine contains a larger amount of unburned particulates such as unburned carbon than that of a gasoline engine, and these unburned particulates are also released into the atmosphere. It also mixes into engine lubricating oil in large quantities, polluting and deteriorating the lubricating oil. Therefore, if the lubricating oil is used as it is, the sliding parts of the engine will wear out quickly, the life of the sliding parts of the engine will be shortened, and the fuel consumption will gradually deteriorate as the viscosity increases.

However, the lubricating oil filter devices conventionally used in diesel engines are mainly designed to collect large-sized metal sludge generated from the engine's sliding parts.
The coarseness of the paper filter member used in this lubricating oil filter device is approximately several tens of microns in size, so carbon particles in the oil are usually distributed in large numbers with particle sizes of 1 micron or less. It is almost impossible to expect to collect and remove such pollutant particles.

Furthermore, if a fine filter member made of paper, cloth, or synthetic fiber is used to remove pollutant particulates such as carbon particles, the filter member will quickly become clogged and oil permeability will become extremely poor. This results in a large pressure loss in the lubricating oil.

Therefore, various methods have been investigated to collect pollutant particles such as carbon particles using chemical adsorption phenomena, but various problems remain in terms of developing efficient adsorption materials. However, it has not yet reached the level of practical use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a practical method for purifying lubricating oil that can efficiently remove contaminant particles such as carbon particles in lubricating oil. The pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil are vibrated in the presence of the polymer flocculant, causing the pollutant particles to coagulate and grow.Then, the particles are aggregated through the process of sedimentation separation or collection and separation using a filter member. This is achieved by a method that removes the grown contaminant particulate agglomerates.

Still other objects of the present invention are a septic tank having an inlet and an outlet for a lubricating oil added with a polymer flocculant, and a device for applying vibration to vibrate pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil in the septic tank. By providing a lubricating oil purifying apparatus comprising a lubricating oil purifying apparatus and a sump removing apparatus for removing from the lubricating oil the contaminant particulate lumps that have agglomerated and grown in the septic tank and become Japanese dogs, the above-mentioned method invention can be effected. The goal is to make it possible to implement it in a practical manner.

First, the effect of promoting agglomeration and growth of pollutant particles, which is the basis of the method of the present invention, will be explained.

It is estimated that unburned particulates such as carbon particulates generated by the combustion process of internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines, are electrostatically charged, and the cause of this is the engine fuel, which is the source of unburned particulates. For example, this is thought to be due to the electrostatic charging characteristics of the atomized particulates before combustion of light oil, or the contact of unburned particulates with the inner surface of the piston or cylinder during combustion, and the like. In this charged state, unburned particulates get mixed into the lubricating oil and become polluting particulates that float in the lubricating oil.
It is thought that among these pollutant particles, those with positive polarity and those with negative polarity are helped by the insulating properties of lubricating oil, and those with the same polarity repel each other and remain in a charged state. It will be done.

Therefore, a polymer flocculant is added to the lubricating oil to be purified, and in the presence of the polymer flocculant, high-pressure alternating type 1 field or ultrasonic waves are applied to the charged contaminant particles suspended in the lubricating oil. By applying vibrations to these pollutant particles, it is possible to increase the probability of collision between these pollutant particles or between the pollutant particles and the polymer flocculant. It is possible to cause rapid agglomerative growth via the agent. In this way, even contaminant particles such as carbon particles in lubricating oil, which are mainly distributed in the particle size range of about 0.3 to 0.5 μm, can be rapidly aggregated and grown. It can be easily and quickly separated and removed from the lubricating oil by sedimentation separation or collection and separation using a filter member with a coarse mesh that does not impede oil permeability.

Based on the above points, in a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, a polymer flocculant is added in advance to the lubricating oil used in the internal combustion engine. As the polymer flocculant, it is preferable to use one having a static I11 gas ionic polarity that corresponds to the charging characteristics of the contaminant particles mixed into the lubricating oil when the lubricating oil is used. or 10
Polyethylene glycol, polyethylene aminotriazole, etc. on the order of 10,000 or 1,000,000 are preferable.

The amount of these polymer flocculants added to the lubricating oil is preferably within a range that does not adversely affect the performance of the lubricating oil, for example, about 0.5 to several percent by weight. It has already been confirmed that these polymer flocculants do not have any adverse effect on the lubricating performance of the lubricating oil or the various additives to the lubricant, and they do not cause any harm to the engine itself. Never.

Next, the lubricating oil to which the polymer flocculant has been added is extracted from the internal combustion engine's lubrication path, for example, from the main oil gear via a bypass circuit, and guided to the septic tank. Contaminant particulates such as carbon particulates exist in a suspended state in the lubricating oil led to this septic tank. Then, by applying a high-pressure alternating electric field or ultrasonic waves to the lubricating oil in the septic tank, vibrations are given to the contaminant particles in the lubricating oil, and all of these contaminant particles are agglomerated and grown to become Japanese dogs. These contaminant particles are separated and removed from the lubricating oil.

Embodiments of the lubricating oil purifying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below, which promotes the agglomeration and growth of contaminant particles mixed in the lubricating oil and separates and removes them from the lubricating oil.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a septic tank, and the septic tank 1 is equipped with a lower member 2 and a part member 3 that covers the upper end opening of the lower member 2, and the lower member 2 and the upper member 3 are connected through a seal member 4. are squeezed together.

An inlet 5 is provided in the side wall near the bottom of the lower member 2 to allow lubricating oil added with a polymer flocculant to flow into the septic tank 1, and this inlet 5 is connected to the internal combustion engine via a pipe 6. It is connected to the main oil gallery (not shown).

The upper member 3 is provided with a lubricating oil outflow lower, which is connected via a pipe 8 to an oil pan (not shown) of the internal combustion engine.

The septic tank 1 is provided with a vibration applying device 9 for applying vibration to pollutant particles floating in the lubricating oil in the septic tank 1. The vibration applying device 9 includes a pair of electrodes and a high-voltage alternating voltage generator 10 for applying a high-voltage alternating voltage between the two electrodes, and the lower member 2 and upper member 3 of the septic tank 1 also serve as one of the electrodes. ing. That is, the lower member 2 and the upper member 3 are made of conductive metal and are in contact with each other, and one terminal of the lower member 2 and the high-voltage alternating voltage generator 10 is grounded, and the high-voltage alternating voltage generator The other terminal of 10 is connected to the other electrode 14 made of conductive metal via a high voltage cable 11, a terminal cap 12, and a terminal 13.

The electrode 14 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open lower end and is located approximately in the center of the septic tank 1. A terminal 1 passing through the upper member 3 is inserted into a screw hole formed at the upper end of the electrode 14.
The tips of No. 3 are screwed together.

Electrical insulation is maintained between the terminal 13 and the upper member 3 and between the upper member 3 and the electrode 14 by insulating members 15 and 16, respectively. Electrode 14, insulating member 15
, 1.6, the upper part 3 and the terminal 13 are fixed together by tightening the terminal 13 to the electrode 14, and there is a space between the upper end surface of the electrode 14 and the insulating member 16, and between the insulating member 16. Seal members 17 and 18 are respectively provided between the upper end face and the upper member 3 to prevent leakage of lubricating oil.

The terminal camp 12 is removably fitted into the terminal 13, and the terminal 13 and the terminal camp 12 are protected by a rubber cover 19 to prevent moisture and dirt from adhering thereto.

A recess is formed in the bottom of the lower part system 2, and a drain cock 20 is installed in the center of the recess to extract from the septic tank 1 pollutant particles that have coagulated and settled in the septic tank 1. ing. A seal member 21 is provided between the drain cock 20 and the lower member 2 to prevent lubricating oil from leaking. The seal members 4.17, 18.21 are made of oil-resistant rubber material, plastic resin, etc., and the inside of the septic tank 1 is kept liquid-tight by these seal members.

In the recess at the bottom of the lower shrine 2, collecting members 22 and 23 are stacked one above the other to collect the contaminant particulates that have settled due to agglomeration so that they do not mix into the lubricating oil again. It is provided.

These collecting members 22 and 23 are made of an electrically insulating material in order to prevent a short circuit phenomenon between the septic tank 1 and the electrode 14, and the lower collecting member 23 has a relatively coarse mesh, and the upper collecting member 23 has a relatively coarse mesh. Although the mesh of the collection member 22 is finer than that of the lower collection member 23, it is not necessary to make the mesh of the upper collection member 23 so fine because it is only used to collect aggregated and grown contaminant particles. . Therefore, a mesh that does not cause early clogging can be used.

A solenoid valve 24 as an on-off valve for controlling the inflow of lubricating oil into the septic tank 1 is provided in the pipe 6 connected to the inlet 5. Generation and stopping of the high-voltage alternating type 1 pressure from the device 10 is controlled by a control section 25. This control unit 25 determines whether the internal combustion engine is in operation or stopped based on the ignition signal of the internal combustion engine, and controls the high-voltage alternating voltage generator 1 according to the determination result and a preset control pattern.
On/off signals are sent to the valve 0 and the solenoid valve 24.

Next, the operation of the purification device and the process of lubricating oil purification will be explained with reference to FIG.

If this purification device has just been installed on an internal combustion engine, when the engine enters the operating state as shown in Figure 2 (N), the ignition signal manually input to the control unit 25 is turned on. At the same time, a valve opening signal is sent from the control section 25 to the 11''1 solenoid valve 24, so that the solenoid valve 24 opens as shown in FIG. 2(C), and the lubricating oil to be purified is introduced into the septic tank I. A polymer flocculant is added to this lubricating oil in advance, and unburned particulates such as carbon particulates generated by the combustion process of the engine are still mixed in as pollutant particulates in a suspended state.

When the septic tank 1 is filled with lubricating oil, the valve opening signal to the solenoid valve 24 is stopped, the solenoid valve 24 is switched to the closed state, and the flow of lubricating oil into the septic tank 1 is stopped. This solenoid valve 24
The setting of the valve opening period depends on the lubricating oil temperature, the capacity of the septic tank 1, the temperature, the flow f1' characteristics of the magnetic valve 24, etc., but it is preferably set to about 2 to 3 minutes.

At the same time as the valve opening signal to the solenoid valve 24 is stopped, a signal is sent from the control section 25 to the high voltage alternating voltage generator 10, and the second
[1 (As shown in Bl, a high-voltage alternating voltage generator 10 applies a high-voltage alternating voltage between the septic tank 1 and the electrode 14. This applied voltage is ±8 to 12 kV, and the frequency is 30 to 4 kV.
A frequency range of about 0 kHz is optimal.

4 By applying this high-voltage alternating voltage, a Takasho alternating electric field acts on the floating contaminant particles in the lubricant and oil repellent, and as a result of the action of this alternating electric field, these floating contaminant particles vibrate in the lubricating oil. The probability of collision between the fine particles and the polymer flocculant increases, promoting the agglomeration and growth of the polluted fine particles.

Application of the high-voltage alternating voltage is continued until the total application time reaches a predetermined set time (25 hours in this embodiment). Of course, the generation of the high-voltage alternating voltage is interrupted while the engine is stopped, that is, while the ignition signal is off, and the interruption time is not included in the total time of high-voltage alternating voltage application.

When the application time of high voltage alternating voltage reaches a predetermined set time,
The application of the high-voltage alternating voltage is stopped, and the interior of the septic tank 1 is left unattended until a predetermined set time (the time required for the settling of pollutant particles, 2.5 hours in this example) has elapsed. . During this time, the pollutant particulate lumps that have become coarse due to agglomeration and growth settle to the bottom of the septic tank 1 due to the action of gravity, and are collected by the collection members 22 and 23. Therefore, re-mixing of the settled contaminant fine particle mass into the lubricating oil purified in the septic tank 1 is prevented.

After the predetermined standing time has elapsed, a valve opening signal is again sent to the electromagnetic valve 24 for a predetermined time. As a result, the solenoid valve 24
is opened and the lubricating oil to be purified is introduced into the septic tank 1 from the inlet 5, and the lubricating oil purified in the septic tank 1 flows out from the outflow lower and is led to the oil pan of the internal combustion engine. . After the inside of the septic tank 1 is filled with the lubricating oil to be purified in this manner, the solenoid valve 24 is closed by a signal from the control section 25, and a high-pressure alternating voltage is applied.

In addition, even if the above-mentioned discharge time has passed the set time (25 hours) at the time the engine is stopped, if the engine stop time becomes longer than the shortfall in the idle time, , a valve opening signal is sent to the solenoid valve 24 at the same time that the next ignition signal is turned on. On the other hand, if the engine stop time is shorter than the shortfall of the idle time, a valve opening signal is sent to the electromagnetic valve 24 after the shortfall has elapsed. Therefore, the inconvenience that the purification process becomes unnecessarily long or insufficient is eliminated.

The settled contaminant particulate lumps collected by the collection members 22 and 23 can be discharged to the outside by opening the drain cock 20.

Since the concentration of the polymer flocculant added to the lubricating oil becomes diluted due to coagulation, it is necessary to replenish the insufficient concentration. This additional replenishment may be performed automatically, or may be performed by a driver or operator every time a predetermined time or a predetermined distance is traveled.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the lubricating oil purification device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. be.

The basic configurations of the septic tank 1 and the vibration applying device 9 in this second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, but in this second embodiment, lubricating oil is constantly supplied from the inlet to the outlet of the septic tank during engine operation. The difference from the first embodiment is that purification is performed while flowing.

In this second embodiment, an inlet 5 is provided in the upper member 3, and an outflow lower is provided in the side wall near the bottom of the lower member 2. Piping 6 connected to inlet 5
A flow rate adjustment valve 26 is provided in place of the solenoid valve.
A pipe 8 connected to the outflow 7 is provided with a filter device [27] for collecting the contaminant particles that have coagulated and grown in the septic tank 1 from the lubricating oil that has flowed out from the outflow lower.

The flow rate characteristics of the flow rate adjustment valve 26 are such that the lubricating oil can sufficiently coagulate and grow contaminant particles while the lubricating oil passes through the septic tank 1, that is, the lubricating oil pressure of the engine is 4k, for example.
g, /ad, When the lubricating oil temperature is 20°C, it is desirable to set the flow rate so that the lubricating oil in the septic tank 1 is replaced at least once every hour. If it is a septic tank, the flow rate will be 20 to 25 cc$j degrees per minute.

Filter member 2 installed in filter unit w, 27
8 is Kotto 1, as shown in the enlarged view in Figure 4.
A porous coating layer 30 made of polytetrafluoroethylene and having a thickness of about 2 mm is formed on a base fabric 29. FIG. 5 shows a porous coating layer 30.
This is a schematic diagram of large skeleton part 3, O
It can be seen that the small skeleton portions 30B are arranged in a composite net shape between A and A, and that there are many rectangular gaps 30C of about 15 to 2 μm between each skeleton portion.

Note that the filter member 2g is not limited to such a configuration, but which filter is suitable for matching the pressure-filtration flow rate characteristics of the selected filter member with the flow rate controlled by the flow rate adjustment valve 26. It is also necessary when using parts.

In the second embodiment, when the engine starts, lubricating oil to which a polymer flocculant is added flows from the main oil gear (not shown) through the flow rate regulating valve 26 and the inlet 5 to the septic tank 1.
A septic tank 1 is filled with lubricating oil flowing into the tank and passing through a high-voltage cable 11 from a high-voltage alternating voltage generator 10.
A high-voltage alternating voltage is applied between the electrode 14 and the electrode 14 .

By applying this high-voltage alternating voltage, the pollutant particles floating in the lubricating oil in the septic tank 1 coagulate, grow, and become coarse, and some of them are collected by the collecting members 22 and 23 at the bottom of the septic tank 1. . In addition, the agglomerated pollutant fine particles that are not collected by the collection members 22 and 23 flow out from the outflow lower together with the lubricating oil, and are collected by the filter member 28 when the lubricating oil passes through the filter member 28 in the filter device 27. Ru. The lubricating oil purified in this way is guided to the oil pan shown in the figure through the pipe 8. As a result of a bench test using this second embodiment, the removal rate of contaminant particles of the lubricating oil that has passed through the filter member 28 has been shown. was confirmed to reach approximately 70-80%.

In the case of the second embodiment, the time period during which the high-pressure alternating electric field acts on the suspended pollutant particles in the lubricating oil is shorter than in the first embodiment, and the time for leaving the particles in the septic tank 1 is not provided. Although sedimentation due to sedimentation of the aggregated contaminant particles is unlikely to occur, since the lubricating oil flows from the upper inlet 5 to the lower outflow lower, a sedimentation effect due to inertial action can be obtained. Therefore, the amount of particles collected by the filter member 28 can be reduced to some extent, and the service life of the filter member 28 can be extended.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. be.

This third embodiment is second in that the lubricating oil is constantly flowed from the inlet to the outlet of the septic tank during engine operation to perform purification.
Although it is similar to the embodiment, the second point is that the agglomerated pollutant particulate lumps are collected by a filter member installed in the septic tank.
This is different from the example.

In this third embodiment, the inlet 5 is provided in the upper member 3 of the septic tank 1, and the pipe 6 connected to the inlet 5 is provided with a flow rate regulating valve 26 similar to the second embodiment. There is.

An outflow lower is provided in the center of the upper member 3, and a pipe 8 connected to this outflow lower is not provided with a filter device unlike the second embodiment.

An insulating member 31 is attached to the center of the bottom of the lower member 2 of the septic tank 1 by a fixing member 32.
A conductive terminal 13 is attached to the terminal 1. The spaces between the insulating member 31 and the lower member 2 and between the terminal 13 and the insulating member 31 are sealed by oil-resistant seal members 33 and 34, respectively. The tip of the terminal 13 protrudes outward from the lower member 2,
A high voltage cable 11 can be connected to this tip.

A cylindrical electrode J4 is provided at the center of the septic tank 1, an upper holder 35 made of an insulating material is attached to one end of the electrode 14, and a cylindrical electrode J4 made of an electrically conductive material is attached to the lower end of the electrode 14. A lower holder 36 is attached. A compression spring 37 made of a conductive material is provided between the lower holder 36 and the terminal 13.
serves to press the electrode 14 against the upper member 3 via the upper holder 36, and also serves to electrically connect the terminal 13 and the electrode 14.

A seal member 38 seals between the upper holder 35 and the upper member 3, and the inside of the electrode 14 communicates with the outflow lower through a hole formed in the upper holder 35. A large number of holes are formed in the wall surface of the electrode 14 so that lubricating oil can flow into the inside of the electrode 14. It is preferable that the electrode 14 having such a structure be made of punched metal. Note that the first point is that the septic tank 1 also serves as one of the pair of electrodes. This is the same as the second embodiment.

A tubular filter device 39 surrounds the cylindrical electrode 14, and both ends of the filter device 39 are held in grooves provided in the upper holder 35 and the lower holder 36.

The filter device 39 includes a cylindrical holder 40 and the cylindrical boulder 40.
The filter member 41 is wound around the outer periphery of the filter member 41. The cylindrical holder 40 has a number of holes and can be made from punched metal. The filter member 41 has the same configuration as the filter member 28 in the second embodiment.

When the filter member 41 is wound around the cylindrical holder 40, it is desirable that the ends of the winding be fixed with adhesive, for example, to prevent leakage of lubricating oil.

It is also desirable to secure the entire circumference between both ends of the filter equipment 390 and the holder 40, 41 with adhesive, for example, to prevent lubricating oil from leaking.

In this third embodiment, when the engine starts, lubricating oil to which a polymer flocculant has been added flows from a main oil gear (not shown) through a flow rate regulating valve 26 and an inlet 5 into a septic tank.
A high-voltage alternating voltage is applied between the septic tank 1, which is filled with lubricating oil, and the electrode 14 from a high-voltage alternating voltage generator 10 via a high-voltage cable 11.

During engine operation, the lubricating oil is constantly flowing from the inlet 5 toward the outflow lower. If the volume obtained by subtracting the volume of the cylindrical portion of the filter member 41 from the internal volume of the high-pressure alternating electric field tank 1 is about 1, the flow rate of the lubricating oil flowing into the septic tank 1 is set to about 20 to 25 cc/m1n8. It is desirable to do so at a certain degree. Flow rate adjustment can be performed by a flow rate adjustment valve 26.

The filter member 41 needs to have a surface area sufficient to allow the above-mentioned flow rate to flow therethrough. Therefore, the filter member 4
It is necessary to set the surface area of the filter member 41 according to the overflow characteristics of the filter member 41 with respect to the pressure of the lubricating oil applied to the lubricating oil.

In the case of this embodiment, since the filter member 41 is provided inside the septic tank 1, there is an advantage that the surface area of the filter member 41 can be increased without significantly increasing the size of the entire system compared to the second embodiment. .

The contaminant particulate lumps that have coagulated and grown into Japanese dogs are collected by the filter member 41 when the lubricating oil passes through the filter member 41, and the purified lubricating oil flows out through the holes provided in the electrode 14 to the lower and is led to an oil pan (not shown).

FIG. 7 schematically shows an example in which the lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention is installed in an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine. In the figure, the lubricating oil pressure in the main oil gear in a 42-engine engine is maintained at about 4 to 4.5 by a relief valve 43, regardless of the engine speed. The lubricating oil flows into the septic tank 1 of the purification system according to the present invention from the main oil gear gallery 42 via a solenoid valve or a flow control valve, and then the purified lubricating oil is returned to the oil pan 44. It has become.

An appropriate amount of lubricating oil containing a polymer flocculant is injected into the oil pan 44, and this lubricating oil flows into the oil screen 4.
5, large impurities in the lubricating oil are removed. The lubricating oil is then pumped by a gear N pump 46 and passes through an oil cooler 47 and then through a conventional oil filter 47 and into the main oil gear gallery 42 .

After that, the lubricating oil is applied to each sliding part of the engine, such as the camshaft 49 housed in the cylinder head 48 and the piston 50.
．． After lubricating the vacuum pump 51 used in the brake booster, each shaft 7 receiving part of the crankshaft 52, etc., the lubricating oil returns to the oil pan 44 via return holes provided in each part of the engine.

FIG. 8 shows a test method for confirming the aggregation effect according to the method of the present invention.

In this test, 10
1% by weight of polyethylene glycol was added to the contaminated lubricating oil after the short run for 0 hours, and the mixture was transferred into a container 53 as shown in FIG. Insert electrodes 55 and 56, one electrode 55 is grounded,
Connected to the other electric &561Ii high voltage police box piezoelectric Oki 57.

In this state, while heating the lubricating oil 54 in the container 53 to about 100°C to match the level of flooding during engine operation, 1 pressure of high-pressure alternating frost is applied between the electrodes 55 and 56 for 2 to 3 hours. applied. After that, if left as it is, the contaminant particles will coagulate and grow as shown at 58 in FIG. was formed.

In order for most of the contaminant particles contained in the lubricating oil to settle, it is necessary to take 4 to 5 hours when the lubricating oil is at a depth of about 100 m.
time was required. At this time, the applied voltage of the high-voltage alternating power supply is ±8 to 12 kV, and the frequency is 30 to 40)G(
It was about z.

When the presence of contaminant particulates in the oil in the supernatant portion of the lubricating oil in the container 53 after the test was measured, the removal rate of contaminant particulates was 80 to 90% compared to the lubricating oil before the test.

As is clear from the above results, by the method and apparatus of the present invention, carbon particles in lubricating oil, mainly 1 μm in size, can be
The following pollutant particles can be efficiently removed.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an ultrasonic generator may be used to vibrate the pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil in the septic tank.

In short, the embodiments described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention includes the claims and the scope of conventional modifications by those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram including a vertical cross-sectional view and a schematic system diagram showing a first embodiment of a lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pressure alternating voltage generating section in the first embodiment. and a control sequence diagram of the electromagnetic valve, FIG. 3 is a diagram including a vertical cross-sectional view part and a schematic system diagram part showing a second embodiment of the lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the second embodiment of the above-mentioned second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of the surface of the filter member in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment of the lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a lubricating oil system diagram showing a precedent example in which the lubricating oil purifying device according to the present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine, and FIGS.
) are schematic cross-sectional views each showing a flocculation effect testing method based on the method of the present invention. 1... Septic tank, 5... Inlet, 7... Outlet, 9
...Vibration imparting device, 10...High voltage alternating voltage generator,
14... Electrode, 24... Solenoid valve, 25... Control unit, 26... Flow rate adjustment valve, 27. 39... Filter device patent applicant Japan Auto Parts Research Institute Co., Ltd. Patent application agent Patent Attorney Akira Aoki Patent Attorney Kazuyuki Nishidate Patent Attorney Kuni Nishioka Patent Attorney Akiyuki Yamaguchi (31) Figure 1 iU 22 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 8 (Q) 'O' Kangan (Q) 645-

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The step of adding a polymer flocculant in advance to the lubricating oil to be purified, and applying vibration to the pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil in the presence of the polymer flocculant. A lubricating oil purification method comprising the steps of: promoting the agglomeration and growth of contaminant particles; and separating and removing aggregates of contaminant particles that have become coarse due to agglomeration and growth from the lubricating oil. 2. The polymer flocculant has an electrostatic ionic polarity that corresponds to the charging characteristics of the pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil, as set forth in claim 1. Lubricant purification method. 3. The method for removing contaminant fine particles in lubricating oil according to claim 2, wherein the polymer flocculant comprises polyethylene glycol or polyethylene aminotriazole. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that vibration is imparted to the pollutant particles by applying a high-voltage alternating electric field to the pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil. Lubricant purification method. 5. The lubrication according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that vibration is imparted to the pollutant particles by applying ultrasonic waves to the pollutant particles suspended in the lubricating oil. Oil purification method. 6. The lubrication according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that agglomerated and coarsened contaminant particulate lumps are removed by sedimentation separation or collection and separation using a filter member. Oil purification method. 7. A septic tank having an inlet and an outlet for lubricating oil added with a polymer flocculant, a vibration imparting device for applying vibration to pollutant fine particles floating in the lubricating oil in the septic tank, and a septic tank that causes coagulation in the septic tank. A lubricating oil purifying device comprising: a removing device for removing contaminant particles that have grown and become coarse from the lubricating oil. 8. The vibration applying device is characterized in that it has a pair of electrodes exposed to lubricating oil in the septic tank, and a high-voltage alternating voltage generator for applying a high-voltage alternating voltage between the two electrodes. A lubricating oil purifying device according to claim 7. 9. Claim 8, wherein the septic tank also serves as the one electrode, and the other electrode is supported in an electrically insulated state substantially at the center of the septic tank. The lubricating oil purification device described. 10. Outside the septic tank, an on-off valve that controls the inflow of lubricating oil into the septic tank, and a control unit that controls opening and closing of the on-off valve and generation and stop of high-pressure alternating voltage from the high-pressure alternating voltage generator. 10. The lubricating oil purification device according to claim 8, wherein the removal device is provided at the bottom of the septic tank. 111, a flow rate adjustment valve is provided outside the septic tank to adjust the flow rate of lubricating oil flowing into the septic tank; 10. The slip oil purifying device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a filter device for collecting particulates. 12 A flow rate adjustment valve is provided outside the septic tank to adjust the flow 1' of lubricating oil flowing into the septic tank, and the removal device removes pollutant fine particles that have coagulated and grown from the lubricating oil flowing toward the outlet of the septic tank into the septic tank. 10. The lubricating oil purifying device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the lubricating oil purifying device is a filter device that collects lubricating oil. 13. The lubricating oil purifying device according to claim 7, wherein the vibration imparting device is an ultrasonic generator.