Compact Membrane Systems (CMS), an industrial separations company based in Newport, Del., U.S.A., has developed a system to dehydrate environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) to ppm levels of water, increasing the lifetime and operating properties of these lubricants.

In 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requiring the use of EALs for all sea to water interfaces in vessels operating in U.S. waters. While these lubricants are non-sheen forming and break down in water, they also absorb water more rapidly. This has damaging effects on the lubricant and equipment, requiring frequent lubricant replacement. The CMS system can extend the life of marine lubricant significantly, which can potentially save users thousands of dollars, the company says.

The CMS membrane system has been tested on the most widely used EALs, including esters and poly alkyl glycols (PAGs) and has been shown to remove water and lower the total acid number (TAN), in the case of esters, without depleting performance additives.

The CMS membrane system is designed for in-line use while at sea, eliminating the need for dry docking. The system fits through a ship hatch and releases the water as vapor, eliminating the need for disposal of water while at sea.

It requires a 120- or 220-volt connection and can easily be hooked up to the ship’s oil reservoir. The CMS system is currently operating on several marine vessels and has greatly improved lubricant life and operation for those vessels.