What is a centrifuge oil filter?
A centrifuge oil filter works by processing around 10% of total oil flow in a system as a bypass unit. Used oil flows from the machine into the centrifuge oil filter where a pressure powered centrifuge bowl (pressure coming from the oil being fed inwards) spins at speeds up to 8,000 RPM. Centrifugal force generated by the rotating bowl causes particulates to be drawn outwards against the bowl wall. The cleaned oil will then return to the system and into the machine. The contaminant removal is constant during regular operation.
Oil Cleaning Centrifuges Working Principle
Using the oil pressure from the engine, dirty lubrication oil is introduced into the centrifuge and is forced up through the holes in the spindle, and accelerator channels within the bearing distributor. The dirty oil is fed into the centrifuge and contaminants are removed using the centrifugal force. This process removes and clarifies solid matter from the liquid oil. Examples of contaminants removed include soot, dirt, sludge, carbon, sediment, and any wear particles that may have worn from the inside of machinery.
The cleaned oil then fills the centrifuge bowl and overflows into the top turbine and exists via the four-speed turbine channels and through the exit nozzles. This process of the oil exiting the centrifuge bowl causes the rotation needed for the bowl to spin and therefore drives the process for the contaminants to be removed. Any solids removed from the oil will adhere to the removable oil-resistant paper that is placed on the periphery of the bowl. Any accumulated debris of the bowl is removed by engineers, and the paper can be replaced.
So, what sets the MP oil cleaning centrifuge apart as the most advanced and effective solution on the market?
- Bowl disc technology – increased surface area within the separation chamber removes even more contaminants
- Remote monitoring – gain valuable insight into the centrifuge’s performance and when a service is required
- Fully sealed unit – significantly reduce the risk of cross contamination of clean and dirty oil
- Distributor impeller – eliminates backpressure and sustains high RPM for superior separation capabilities
Bowl Disc Technology
The IOW Group oil cleaning centrifuge utilizes bowl discs compared to conventional centrifugal oil spinners. These bowl discs dramatically increase the cleaning efficiency and reduces the time contaminants spend within the oil.
Updated IOW design means the centrifuge can spin at higher RPMs, and proprietary bowl disk technology improves contaminant removal by both reducing time spent in oil and ease of removal. IOW Group has also improved sealing between the oil inlet and the oil outlet passages. This minimizes cross-contamination between cleaned and uncleaned oil.
Remote Monitoring
IOW Group centrifugal oil filters also have in-built monitoring to assess the level of dirt/sludge build up. This will inform the operator of build-up, and works towards elimination unnecessary cleaning, and minimize wasted personnel time. The systems are easily compatible with both Modbus and Bluetooth systems, allowing the cleaning system to be connected to existing alarm systems. This combination of performance, protection, remote monitoring, and extended oil change intervals by increased cleaning capacity has many choosing IOW Group as their centrifugal oil filter provider.
Simple Installation
A key design to the IOW oil cleaning centrifuge range is being able to be effortlessly retrofitted to existing pipework, making
installation and integration easy and seamless. In the case study below, a customer had a competitive old brand of centrifugal oil separation technology. After communication, they were keen to lower costs and fit a new IOW centrifuge filter technology and make a strong case for the benefit this could have for their container vessel. As the vessel had a system that contained a capacity of 1,100L (290 gallons) of lubricating oil, their Mann Hummel FM600 oil cleaning centrifuge was replaced with an IOW MP600 centrifugal oil filter. The engine that was aboard the vessel for this project was a MAN 9L21/31, and was also fitted with a remote monitoring unit.
Results
- In 136 hours of runtime, the IOW MP600 removed 6kg of sludge.
- In comparison, the FM600 only removed 2.5kg of sludge in the same amount of time.
- IOW Group removed 58.33% more sludge than the old centrifugal tech, extending oil change intervals.
Better Technology = Better Results
By upgrading to new technology, and moving away from older solutions, the life of lube oil machinery is extended.
When companies need to weather supply chain issues and scarcity of replacement parts, whilst maintaining profitability, the best course of action is to ensure existing equipment can keep running for as long as possible. Lowering the total cost of ownership should be a priority goal and the best place to start is by installing an IOW Oil Cleaning Centrifuge.
Are you interested in integrating the latest and most efficient equipment into your lubrication system?