by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer
Les Row, owner and operator of AIAS Green and Sustainable Products, carries a range of products aimed at “greening” vehicles on the road and in industry. Driven by the link of hazardous solvents used in the automotive industry to cancer, Row has spent the past 23 years looking for solutions to keep industry operating in a more sustainable manner. The results of his efforts can be summed up as cost savings, lowered emissions and healthier communities.
Row spent most of his life in Alaska working in the hydraulic industry. When he became aware of the challenges facing the owners and operators of heavy equipment now that commonly used solvents were deemed hazardous material, he saw opportunity. “I found one of the first companies to build something like a giant dish washer that worked by using a non-toxic cleaning solution,” said Row. “So I approached the owner of the company I worked for, but they didn’t want to branch out. So I quit and started my own business and linked everyone together, calling on the same customers and bringing a solution for getting rid of the hazardous solvents 100 percent.”
Row brought his business and family to Central Oregon in 2004, and continued his search for other environmental solutions to help reduce oil use and lower fuel costs. Less than three years ago, he became aware of lifetime engine oil burners, which had been used in the car racing industry for over 30 years. Because paper oil filters wouldn’t give the protection required for engines working at high horsepower, reusable stainless steel filters were created. Row knew these filters could benefit the passenger car, heavy equipment and trucking industries.
“A lifetime filter can offer an alternative to the throwaway industry we are in,” said Row. “It can be hard for us to change our behaviors because we have had it easy for so long and now we are asked to do things that we haven’t had to do before, like make better use of our natural resources and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
“Paper filters don’t clean the oil – resulting in harmful emissions from our vehicles. Right now the oil pump draws oil from the oil pan and brings it to the engine. The oil ends up going around the filter instead of through, it is not filtering the oil, and it creates heat. Heat and contamination kill the oil life,” explained Row.
“Using a stainless steel mesh screen in the lifetime filter cleans the oil. Now the oil is flowing free, it cools and protects the oil and frees up the 9-10 horsepower that has been robbed by the engine resulting in fuel savings. You can go 10,000 – 15,000 miles on the same oil, and when oil doesn’t break down rapidly you don’t produce as many emissions. This filter solves so many problems and we are part of the solution. Doing away with paper filters and frequent oil changes can save a lot of money.”
Row will soon be carrying an oil analysis sensor targeted for the over the road trucking industry. Trucking remains the primary way goods are distributed around the country, and a leading cause of vehicle emissions. An oil analysis sensor will allow the driver and feet owner to know the condition of the oil in real time. This means an end to premature oil changes as many trucks change the oil at 250 hours to be on the safe side. The oil sensor can detect water and antifreeze in the oil, as well as the oil’s polarity. This information will tell the driver if he has another 250 hours left to his oil, or if he can go even longer with out a change.
The addition of a kidney filtration system mounted on the hydraulic system will filter a portion of the oil 24/7 as long as the engine is running. “You will have protection, better component life and longer engine or hydraulic oil life,” said Row. “We have vehicles going 1,000 hours or even 1,500 hours before an
oil change.”
Among the other products AIAS carries is Centron, a fuel additive for gasoline and diesel that increases combustion performance, resulting in reduced emissions and increased fuel economy and an automatic dosing system to electronically dose the fuel additives.
The Ecoblend used oil recovery system can clean used oil as well as and generate fuel from the used oil, and the SuperNova Incinerator provides a safe and environmentally sound way to dispose of hazardous wastes such as medial waste, animal remains, manure and more.
Row sees growth potential for his products in the online marketplace, but knows there are a lot of businesses and vehicles in Central Oregon that could benefit from learning about lifetime filters and his other environmental products.
AIAS, 585 SW 6th Street Ste 4, Redmond OR 97756, 541-923-5471. www.aiasgreenproducts.com/, info@aiasgreenproducts.com
