96% contaminant reduction on a drilling-rig mud pump
Real ISO 4406 sampling data from a customer rig in the Permian Basin. After ROD ARMOR + FlowGuard deployment, cleanliness improved every sample — and kept improving after the study closed.
Extreme-duty lube service on a drilling rig.
The subject equipment is a mud pump on an active drilling rig — one of the most demanding lube-oil services in the oilfield. High cyclic loads, heat, and constant exposure to drilling mud make contamination control an uphill battle.
With only OEM filtration in place, the initial sample registered an ISO 4406 cleanliness code of 26/25/19 and 320,336 particles >4µm per mL — well above what the equipment was designed to tolerate.
ROD ARMOR and FlowGuard were installed immediately after that first sample on Feb 14, 2025. Sampling continued at regular intervals under ASTM D7647. The FlowGuard filter element was replaced after the Apr 4 sample.
Particle counts trending down
Linear-scale particle counts per mL at three particle sizes — the drop at >4µm is the story: 320,336 particles per mL down to 11,775, about 96% cleaner.
ASTM D7647 particle counts (particles per mL) for particle sizes larger than 4µm, 6µm, and 14µm. Shown on a linear scale — the >4µm count dropped from 320,336 to 11,775 particles per mL over the engagement. Hover any bar for the full breakdown and milestone.
Sample-by-sample milestones
Initial sample — OEM filtration only
After ROD ARMOR + FlowGuard deployed
Pre filter-change sample
Final sample — after FlowGuard filter change
The trend kept going after the study closed.
The major takeaway: an overall 96% reduction in contaminants >4µm, and particle levels continued to drop even after the final documented sample. This is what Clean Oil looks like on equipment that used to live in 26/25/19 territory.
