79% Fewer Particles

The challenge 

A major Greek shipping company operating a large tanker fleet identified rising particle contamination levels in main engine lube oil. Oil analysis showed cleanliness levels exceeding recommended limits creating increased risk of camshaft wear, reduced lubrication efficiency, and long-term engine damage. As part of a Delta-Xero fuel filtration and fluid cleanliness assessment, the condition of the lube oil was independently monitored and verified.  

Customer savings & impact 

Following implementation and monitoring of Delta-Xero offline filtration, the operator recorded clear, measurable improvements: 

• 79% reduction in particles larger than 4 microns, improving oil cleanliness from ISO 19/19/16 to 15/15/13 

• Water content reduced to 0%, supporting stable lubrication and reduced corrosion risk 

• Extended component life and reduced wear exposure, particularly within camshaft lubrication systems 

The full case study shows how contamination levels were reduced over operating hours, what ISO improvements were achieved, and why traditional filtration methods were unable to deliver the same results.