FAQs

What are the different types of oil and which does US Petrolon provide?

Oil generally falls into three categories: mineral, hydrocracked, and synthetic. Mineral oil is produced from petroleum crude oil and typically does not meet the severe performance requirements of today’s machinery. Hydrocracked, or semi-synthetic, oil goes through an additional refining process that removes most impurities found in mineral-based oils, which gives it greater performance and longevity than mineral-based oil. Synthetic oil is derived from chemical processes and can last 2-6 times (PAO) or 6-16 times (POE) longer than a mineral-based oil. All of US Petrolon’s specialty lubricants are the finest semi-synthetic and synthetic fluids available.

Does USPI filtration remove my oil's additive package?

No. Modern soluble additive packages are not removed by USPI filtration, and in fact they are aided by the removal of contaminants and water that would otherwise shorten their life.

What is an ISO Cleanliness Code and how does it work?

The ISO (International Organization of Standardization) Cleanliness Code assigns a numeric code to the number of particles per one milliliter of sample at 4, 6, and 14 micron sizes. The lower the ISO, the cleaner the oil. Clean oil can dramatically increase equipment life by lowering wear rates. The goal of US Petrolon filtration is to keep your oil at a “cleaner-than-new” ISO code level.

What are the benefits of oil analysis?

A successful oil analysis program will help you:

Monitor equipment wear and indicate possible problem areas before they are otherwise noticed;
Safely and accurately determine the suitability of oil for further use;
Determine the cleanliness of the oil;
Determine when to change the USPI filter elements.

What is the difference between a depth filter and a surface filter?

Surface filters collect particles on the filter medium surface. These filters only capture particles larger than the pore size (typically 20-40 microns) and the filter will “blind off” and cease filtering when the relatively small surface area is loaded. Depth filtration takes place throughout the filter media. USPI depth filters collect much greater volumes of particulate in the media (approximately 12 pounds), allow much finer filtration (1-3 microns), and the filter does not “blind off” suddenly as it becomes loaded. Also, surface filters do not effectively remove water, while USPI depth filters remove about 5 quarts of water each.

How long can I expect my USPI depth filter elements to last?

Results vary depending on the condition of your system, but a typical lifespan is 9 months.

How do I know when to change my USPI depth filter elements?

The best way to know when to change USPI depth filter elements is through quarterly oil analysis. When particle or moisture levels increase above acceptable levels, then a USPI filter change is in order. Also, three physical indicators on USPI filtration systems can signal when a USPI element should be changed: temperature (if the canister is cool), pressure differential across the USPI element (greater than 40-50 PSI from initial), and oil flow rate (when oil flow drops below half the original flow rate).

How do I know when to change my oil?

As with USPI depth filter elements, the best way to know when to change lubricants is through quarterly oil analysis. USPI always compares filtered oil to new oil parameters to determine oil condition. Oil does not need to be changed unless it does not fall within manufacturer’s design specifications.

Will US Petrolon install their filtration systems in my facility?

US Petrolon does not perform system installation. However, we provide detailed installation instructions in our equipment manuals (available in the client account area) and will advise on the best locations for supply and return lines for optimal filtration of your equipment.