How to choose the filtration accuracy of the oil filter?

Selecting the filtration accuracy of the oil filter is the key to ensuring the cleanliness of the oil and the normal operation of the equipment. The selection of filtration accuracy requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as oil type, equipment requirements, and operating environment. The following are detailed steps and precautions for selecting the filtration accuracy of the oil filter:

1. Understand the definition of filtration accuracy

Filtration accuracy refers to the minimum particle size that the oil filter can filter, usually expressed in microns (μm). For example, a filtration accuracy of 10μm means that the oil filter can filter out particles with a diameter greater than 10μm.

2. Clarify the oil type and degree of contamination

1. Oil type

- Lubricating oil: usually requires a higher filtration accuracy (5-10μm) to reduce equipment wear.

- Hydraulic oil: has higher requirements for cleanliness, and the filtration accuracy is generally 3-5μm.

- Transformer oil: requires high-precision filtration (1-3μm) to ensure insulation performance.

- Fuel oil: The filtration accuracy is generally 10-30μm to remove larger particle impurities.

2. Pollution degree

- If there are many impurities in the oil, it is recommended to perform coarse filtration (such as 20-50μm) first, and then fine filtration.

- For relatively clean oil, you can directly choose high-precision filtration.

III. Consider equipment requirements

1. Equipment accuracy requirements

- High-precision equipment (such as hydraulic systems, precision machine tools) requires high filtration accuracy (1-5μm).

- Ordinary equipment (such as engines, gearboxes) can choose lower filtration accuracy (10-30μm).

2. Equipment operating environment

- In places with a lot of dust or harsh environment, it is recommended to choose a higher filtration accuracy to protect the equipment.

- In a clean environment, the filtration accuracy can be appropriately reduced.

IV. ｓｅｌｅｃｔ the filtration accuracy level

1. Coarse filtration (20-50μm)

- Suitable for removing larger particle impurities, usually as a pretreatment stage.

- Used for oil with severe pollution or as a pre-filter for high-precision filtration.

2. Medium filtration (10-20μm)

- Suitable for lubricating oil and hydraulic oil of general equipment.

- Can effectively remove medium-sized particles to protect the normal operation of equipment.

3. Fine filtration (1-10μm)

- Suitable for high-precision equipment (such as hydraulic systems, precision machine tools).

- Can remove tiny particles to ensure the cleanliness of the oil.

4. Ultra-fine filtration (<1μm)

- Suitable for special occasions (such as transformer oil, aviation hydraulic oil).

- Can remove extremely small particles to ensure the high purity of the oil.

V. Consider the type of oil filter

1. Plate and frame oil filter

- The filtration accuracy is generally 10-30μm, suitable for coarse filtration and medium filtration.

2. Vacuum oil filter

- The filtration accuracy is generally 1-10μm, suitable for fine filtration and moisture removal.

3. Centrifugal oil filter

- The filtration accuracy is generally 10-50μm, suitable for removing moisture and larger particle impurities.

4. Pressure oil filter

- The filtration accuracy is generally 1-10μm, suitable for high-precision filtration.

5. Electrostatic oil filter

- The filtration accuracy can reach 0.1-1μm, suitable for ultra-fine filtration.

VI. Economy and maintenance cost

1. Filtration accuracy and cost

- The higher the filtration accuracy, the higher the cost of the filter element or filter cloth.

- When selecting the filtration accuracy, the equipment requirements and operating costs should be considered comprehensively.

2. Maintenance frequency

- High-precision filtration requires more frequent filter element replacement and maintenance.

- When selecting the filtration accuracy, the convenience and cost of maintenance should be considered.

VII. Practical application cases

1. Hydraulic system

- Filtration accuracy: 3-5μm.

- Reason: The hydraulic system has high requirements for oil cleanliness, and tiny particles may cause the valve core to jam.

2. Transformer oil

- Filtration accuracy: 1-3μm.

- Reason: Transformer oil needs high purity to ensure insulation performance.

3. Engine lubricating oil

- Filtration accuracy: 10-20μm.

- Reason: Engine lubricating oil needs to remove larger particles to reduce wear.

4. Fuel system

- Filtration accuracy: 10-30μm.

- Reason: The fuel system needs to remove larger particles to prevent the injector from clogging.

VIII. Summary

Selecting the filtration accuracy of the oil filter requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as oil type, equipment requirements, operating environment and economy. By reasonably selecting the filtration accuracy, the oil cleanliness can be effectively improved, the equipment service life can be extended, and the operating cost can be reduced. If you are not sure about the filtration accuracy, it is recommended to consult the equipment manufacturer or professional technicians and make a selection based on specific needs.