The latest filtration technology, developed by the Racor Filter Division Europe, part of Parker Hannifin, has been introduced to improve the reliability and performance of marine engines and hydraulics systems, while reducing overall operating costs. Parker's latest filtration technology is to be launched at this year's METS show in Amsterdam in November, and will include a range of innovative closed crankcase ventilation (CCV) filters, plus high performance filters for both fuel and hydraulic systems. Parker's innovative Racor CCV technology is designed to eliminate the problem of crankcase emissions from marine diesel engines.

These emissions are due to high cylinder pressures that force gas to escape past piston rings into the engine crankcase, where the gases become contaminated with oil mist and moisture before being vented via the engine breather into the engine room or bay.

Over time, crankcase emissions will coat other engine components, including radiators, intercoolers and air filters, and will build up on engine room floors and walls, creating a health and safety hazard as they attract dust, particles and other debris.

The net effect is increased maintenance and operating costs; for example, contaminated intercoolers will increase manifold temperatures which, in turn, will increase fuel consumption and shorten component life.

With a Parker Racor CCV filter the contaminated crankcase gases are simply fed from the engine breather directly to the inlet on the CCV filter.

This incorporates a diaphragm valve to regulate variations in crankcase pressure and protect engine seals, with contaminated gases then flow through a specially designed micro-glass fibre coalescing filter media to trap soot and other particulates.

Oil is separated and collected in the bottom of the filter for return back to the engine, with a check valve in the drain return preventing reverse flow from the engine sump.

Filtered gases are fed back to the engine intake system allowing the oil and debris free gases to be safely burned in the combustion cycle, without being vented to the environment, while an external indicator shows when the filter elements require replacement.

Parker Racor CCV filters are easy to install on both new and existing marine engines, where they provide a consistently high level of particulate, moisture and oil removal, down to 0.3um, with a long trouble-free operating life; typically, this is around 750 hours in marine diesel applications.

Also being shown for the first time at the METS exhibition are Parker Racor's oil lubrication filters for reducing component wear and maintenance costs for full flow and bypass systems in diesel engines and transmissions.

In addition, the company will be exhibiting filters and separators designed to remove contaminants and moisture from both petrol and diesel fuels.

Parker also manufactures and supplies a complete range of hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical products for marine applications, ranging from hydraulic pumps and motors for vessel steering and engine control systems, to valves, actuators, fittings and connectors for refrigeration and air conditioning units, bow thrusters, trim control devices and door and hatch operation.