Filter Oil Formulation

Abstract

A filter oil composition and a method for removing airborne molecular contaminants from air are provided. The composition includes a first portion comprising paraffinic oil by volume of the composition, a second portion comprising polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume of the composition, and a third portion comprising red dye by volume of the composition. Applying the filter oil composition to a cotton air filter material causes tackiness throughout the air filter material, thereby enhancing filtration of air passing through the filter. The composition generally is substantially non-reactive, has an excellent oxidation stability, possesses good thermal stability, and retains a suitable viscosity at a normal operating temperatures of an automobile engine. In an embodiment, the composition comprises 96.74% paraffinic oil by volume, 3.20% polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume, and 0.06% red dye by volume. A viscosity of the composition at 100 degrees-C ranges between substantially 7.2 and 7.6 centistokes (cSTs).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air filter oil composition, comprising:
 a first portion comprising paraffinic oil by volume of the composition;   a second portion comprising polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume of the composition; and   a third portion comprising red dye by volume of the composition;   where applying the air filter oil composition to a cotton air filter material causes tackiness throughout the air filter material, thereby enhancing filtration of air flowing through the filter material.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is substantially non-reactive, has an excellent oxidation stability, possesses good thermal stability, and retains a suitable viscosity within a temperature range typical of an operating automobile engine. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 96.74% paraffinic oil by volume, 3.20% polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume, and 0.06% red dye by volume. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a viscosity at 100 degrees-C ranging between substantially 7.2 and 7.6 centistokes (cSTs). 
     
     
         5 . A method for removing airborne molecular contaminants from air, comprising:
 configuring a filter material to remove airborne molecular contaminants from an airstream passing through the filter material;   formulating an air filter oil composition for application to the filter material, the air filter oil composition being configured to enhance air cleaning properties of the filter material;   supporting the filter material such that the airstream is directed through the filter material; and   cleaning the filter material periodically so as to remove entrapped contaminants.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein formulating comprises providing a first portion including paraffinic oil by volume of the composition, a second portion including polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume of the composition, and a third portion including red dye by volume of the composition, such that application of the composition to a cotton air filter material causes tackiness throughout the air filter material, thereby enhancing filtration of the airstream. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition is substantially non-reactive, has an excellent oxidation stability, possesses good thermal stability, and retains a suitable viscosity within a temperature range typical of an operating automobile engine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises 96.74% paraffinic oil by volume, 3.20% polyalphaolefin (PAO) by volume, and 0.06% red dye by volume. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition has a viscosity at 100 degrees-C ranging between substantially 7.2 and 7.6 centistokes (cSTs). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein configuring comprises positioning at least one layer of cotton gauze between two epoxy-coated aluminum wire screens so as to support the filter material during filtering of the airstream. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein supporting comprises positioning the filter material within an air intake of an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein supporting comprises positioning the filter material within a ventilation system which circulates air within an enclosed space. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein cleaning comprises removing the filter material from the airstream, using a solvent to remove the air filter oil composition, flushing contaminants and the solvent from the filter material by way of a water hose, allowing the filter material to dry, and uniformly applying the air filter oil composition to the filter material.