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monitors the condition of the oil for a number of factors including viscosity, wear metals, additives, contamination, and physical properties. Captain Bill Clark, who runs the South Ferry service, operates four ships that carry passengers across the water- ways off New Yorks Long Island. Captain Clark estimates that lengthening of the oil-drain intervals ? to 2,000 hours from 250 hours prior to using bypass ? ltration ? saves him roughly 400 gallons of oil, equal to about $5,000, for each ship. Beyond this, Clark credits the ? ltration system in part for the incredible longevity of his engines. Clarks last two engines went 67,000 and 73,000 hours, respectively, before requiring an overhaul. [Oil bypass ? ltration] can de? nitely take some credit for the long life of those en- gines,? Clark notes, adding that oil analysis helps him to determine if and when an oil change is needed. Ernie Villers, Port Engineer and Head of Maintenance for Fire Island Ferries, said he ? rst learned about the bene? ts of bypass oil ? ltration system from Captain Clark, and uses it on two of his 14 boats. The system, Villers said, allows his 650 horsepower engines to run at least three times longer be- fore requiring an oil change, and he plans to out? t the rest of his boats with a bypass ? ltration system. Like Clark, he tests the oil periodically to see when the oil needs to be changed.INTANGIBLE BENEFITS Most ferry and tug operator clients are surprised to learn that savings from having to purchase less oil is just the icing on the cake. Once a successful bypass ? ltration program is implemented, most companies ? nd that indirect savings from the program, such as downtime, reduced component repairs and extension of life to overhaul, signi? cantly out- perform the direct savings from the safe extension of oil life. Additionally, there is a bene? t in using bypass oil ? ltra- tion technology with regard to larger applications in the marine industry. The cost of transporting and storing oil for maintenance is greatly reduced when the operator is able to reduce the amount of oil they have to carry with them when out to sea, as is the environmental risk associ- ated with bringing oil on and off a vessel. In purchasing an oil bypass ? ltration system, its impor- tant to select a system that addresses all three main reasons the oil has to be changed to begin with: 1) removal of solid contaminant to below one micron (studies show that solid contaminants above the one micron level cause serious deterioration on engine parts); 2) removal of liquid and gaseous contaminants; and, 3) replenishment of base addi- tives (in engine oil) to maintain the oils chemical balance. Kevin G. Kroger is President & COO at Puradyn Filter Technologies. Previ- ously, he served with Detroit Diesel Corporation and Caterpillar Corpora- tion in various executive and positions. www.marinelink.com MN 31MN August2013 Layout 18-31.indd 317/23/2013 7:19:45 PM
