Plate and Frame Oil Filter Filtration Accuracy

Plate and frame oil filter filtration accuracy is adjustable, not fixed.

It depends on the filter medium type and micron rating (filter paper or filter cloth) installed between filter plates.

Filtration Accuracy Range

Nominal range: 1–30 μm

Common industrial use: 5–20 μm

Applications: lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, transformer oil

Key Factors Affecting Accuracy

Filter Medium

Filter paper: single-use, higher precision, multiple micron grades

Filter cloth: reusable, wear-resistant, lower precision

Filter Paper Micron Rating

20–30 μm: coarse particle removal

5–10 μm: fine filtration

1–3 μm: high-precision, lower flow rate

Oil Condition

High contamination or viscosity requires coarse pre-filtration

Comparison with Other Oil Filters

Plate and frame oil filter: 1–30 μm, flexible and cost-effective

Vacuum oil filter: 0.5–5 μm, best for dehydration

Precision oil filter cart: 1–10 μm, automated particle control

Centrifugal oil filter: no calibrated micron rating, limited fine filtration

Technical Notes

Micron ratings are nominal or absolute, not 100% retention

Performance is better evaluated using β (beta) ratio

Filtration targets should align with ISO 4406 or NAS 1638

Moisture removal capacity is limited; vacuum oil filters are preferred for high water content

Best Practice

Use staged filtration:

Coarse filtration (≈20 μm)

Followed by fine filtration (≈5 μm)

This approach improves efficiency, protects fine filter paper, and reduces operating cost.