Using Strong Magnetic Fields to Mechanically and Electro-statically Remove Non-Ferrous Particles

Non-ferrous particles in engine oil and hydraulic fluid are removed or reduced through

• Physical entanglement of non-magnetic materials with iron bearing particles• Electrostatic attraction induced by strong magnetic field• Layering of debris compounds electrostatic and magnetic containment at filter wall• Removal of highly corrosive steal particles reducing all other metal contaminants

By James L. ThomasVice President of Business DevelopmentFilterMag Incorporated

®

Using Strong Magnetic Fields to Electro-statically Attract Non-Ferrous Particles

BACKGROUNDFilterMag magnetic oil filtration systems have a clear and obvious effect on fluids containing iron and steel particles.

They are magnetically attracted and held to the inside wall of a FilterMag equipped oil filter. This applies equally to

FilterMag equipped diesel fuel filters and hydraulic system filters.

Analysis of the trapped materials will also show contaminants that are not normally thought of as susceptible to

magnetic fields. Copper, Magnesium, Carbon (in the form of soot) and silicates can be found in the debris held

against the filter wall. Although they aren’t held magnetically, they are trapped by two different effects.

The first effect is physical entanglement of a

non-magnetic particle with an iron-bearing

particle. As iron-bearing particles are pulled toward

the oil filter wall, other non-ferrous particles may

become attached. They form a small cluster. The attachment mechanism can be a sticky sludge

coating to particle. The sludge is generated as a

byproduct of local oil oxidation by the iron particle or it

is accumulated over time by exposure to chemically

degraded oil. The clusters are then magnetically

bound to the inner wall of the filter and the non-

magnetic components of the cluster are mechanically

stuck as well.

As additional debris (magnetic and non-magnetic) is

piled on top of these clusters they become mechanically “layered in” and will stay in place as long

as the FilterMag is attached to the filter wall.

Direction of oil flow into spin-on oil filter

Yellow rings represent

magnetic lines of force

••• Non-ferrous particles stick to surface of iron particles

• “Sticky” iron bearing particles pulled toward magnets

The second effect is much less obvious but surprisingly clear once understood. Magnetically induced

electrostatic attraction plays a major role in removing non-ferrous particles. Consider the operation of an electrical

generator. Copper wire coils are rapidly passed through a set of permanent magnets to generate electricity. As the copper passes through the magnetic field, electrons are “pushed” through the wire by the strong magnetic field from

the imbedded permanent magnets. The copper becomes electrically charged and carries a current.

The higher the conductivity of the wire passing through the magnetic field, the greater the electrical current

generated. Copper provides superior performance over other conductive materials. Other metals such as Iron,

Chromium, Aluminum and Lead could work but would generate less electrical current and would probably be more

expensive to implement. However, they still take an electrical charge while in the magnetic field.

Even materials that are not considered conductive can pass some electric current when passed through a magnetic

field. Current strength is directly proportional to magnetic field strength. Carbon, in the form of soot, and silicates

can be considered semiconductors when subjected to very strong magnetic fields. During that time of exposure

they take on a static electric charge. The degree of charge would be far less than highly conductive metals such as copper.

FILTERMAG EFFECTS

All particles, which flow past the FilterMag, are subjected to FilterMag’s magnetic field. The more electrically

conductive the particle, the greater the electrostatic charge that will be imparted to the particle.

The inside wall of the oil filter will have an electrical charge opposite that of the particles. The newly charged particles

will be attracted to the filter wall and be held in place by their electrostatic charge. This effect only works while the

particles are within FilterMag’s magnetic field. Once they’ve passed the field the charge dissipates.

This process traps a significant amount of non-

magnetic materials. These materials are further bound to the inside filter wall by ferrous materials layered on

top. Included would be Aluminum, Copper, Chromium

and Lead. These are the most common metals

targeted for engine wear analysis.

MAGNETS IN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS

The levels of magnetic energy necessary for effective

particle removal is far beyond what have been

traditionally thought to be required. This is due to the

severe conditions inside the filter housing. Temperatures easily exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit

and pressures run upwards of 80 psi at flow rates well

over 15 gallons per minute. These conditions negate

the majority of effects used with traditional magnetic oil

filtration.

Electrically neutral particles enter the

magnetic field

Magnetic field imparts a positive charge to particles

by displacing electrons

Positively charged particles attracted to

and held by electrically negative

filter wall

High temperatures reduce magnetic potency – especially with ceramic magnets. High pressures coupled with high

flow rates create particle velocities and entrainment too great to effectively remove particles from the oil flow with magnets.

FilterMag uses custom designed and manufactured Neodymium magnets. These are the strongest rare earth

permanent magnets available today. Furthermore, its patented design literally doubles the strength of the magnetic

field focused on the oil filter. Their magnetic potency is fully maintained beyond 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

AN ADDITIONAL ENGINE WEAR REDUCTION EFFECTBesides the electrostatic effects on particle removal, FilterMag produces very significant secondary removal of non-

ferrous metals. Steel particles are typically reduced by 70% with FilterMag usage. They represent the hardest and

therefore most corrosive metals in engine lubrication oil, hydraulic fluid and diesel fuel. Removing them has an immediate wear reduction on the entire engine. Less wear translates into immediate reduction of other non-ferrous

metals that would have been eroded by the action of the steel particles.

CONCERNSSome concerns have been raised regarding the unintentional magnetization of steel particles. It is true that prolonged

and intimate exposure to strong magnetic fields will tend to magnetize other ferrous compounds. The fear is these

newly magnetized particles will attach themselves to various internal engine crevasses and hiding places and then re-

emerge to cause damage later. It’s been our experience that this hasn’t occurred to any measurable effect. It would

take many hours of intimate contact for a steel particle to obtain enough of a magnetic charge to hold itself inside the engine. With FilterMag, the particles are plucked from the oil flow in fractions of a second.

Once steel particles are captured they do tend to become magnetized - opposite to the magnetic field that is holding

them. In the case of FilterMag, once captured they are held for weeks, months or even longer. This only strengthens

the magnetic bond between the FilterMag and the particles. FilterMag’s grip on the particles grows over time. The

layering effects mentioned earlier also contribute to holding all particles to the inside wall of the oil filter.

CONCLUSIONFilterMag yields highly effective results from direct magnetic removal of iron containing compounds (primarily steel

particles) and the indirect electrostatic removal of non-ferrous metals. Substantial secondary benefits arise from the immediate removal of highly corrosive steel particles. Given its relative low cost, FilterMag provides the highest value

for engine wear-reduction and the extension of lubricant life for internal combustion engines and fixed and mobile

hydraulic systems.

James L. Thomas

About the author, Jim is an Analytical Chemist and earned his degree, in part, by performing basic research contrasting wear metal analysis in synthetic motor oils versus traditional premium motor oils. The research spanned a variety of applications from industrial applications to formula

race cars. Jim is currently the Vice President of Business Development at FilterMag, Inc.