Oil Purification Systems, Inc. has announced receiving a 2007 Excellence in Innovation Award for Excellence in Environmental Technology Development. The Connecticut Technology Council, the law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development sponsored the award. Oil Purification Systems was recognized for its OPS-1 onboard oil refiner system, designed to “virtually eliminate the need for routine oil changes” in trucks, buses, construction and mining equipment.
The OPS-1 is a partial-flow, two-stage oil refining system that is installed onboard the vehicle in a bypass configuration to clean and refine engine oil, without affecting the engine’s own flow filtration system. It is designed to remove solid contaminants (particulates) down to three microns in size and liquid contaminants, such as water, glycol and diesel fuel. According to the company, use of the OPS-1 system enables customers to change filters and sample the oil at their regular oil change intervals rather than automatically changing the oil every time.
Each year, the Connecticut Technology Council and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge select Connecticut companies they view as most likely to succeed. These companies are placed into a “virtual incubator” called the Innovation Pipeline Accelerator. The companies that show the most promise move into the Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge FastTrack program, where they receive training; support from selected service providers; introductions to customers, peers and funding sources; and are matched with mentors. Annual winners are selected from the FastTrack Program and recognized for their conversion of an idea into a thriving business.