Filtration is an essential process for the proper functioning of various engine and machine components, preventing contaminants and solid particles from compromising the useful life and performance of the equipment.
For this, knowing how to choose the best lubricating oil filter for your machinery is of paramount importance. You must take into account a number of aspects, which vary according to each type of machine and oil. With that in mind, we will discuss in this post how to choose the best lubricating oil filter for your equipment.
The time has come to change the oil. And now?
The first question about changing the oil generally refers to its periodicity, which must be in accordance with the guidelines of those who produce the engine or its Manual. The time for the exchange has arrived, there are several parameters to be considered before making the best choice.
First, there are different types of lubricating oil, which are classified among minerals, petroleum derivatives, synthetics, artificially produced and semi-synthetic or synthetic-based, which mix the first two.
Viscosity is a very important aspect, since ordinary lubricating oils tend to become thicker and viscous at low temperatures, compromising their lubrication. Mineral oils have good viscosity and different uses, such as refrigeration, isolation of transformers, storage and transportation of alkaline products, lubrication in general, among others.
Synthetics have good viscosity-temperature behavior, with high thermal resistance and chemical influences. Finally, semisynthetics combine the best properties of each one for each application situation. In order to learn more about the different types of lubricating oils and which are the best for your equipment, read our post.
Conventional filters X Permanent filters
Among the lubricating oil filters on the market, there are two main categories: conventional and permanent filters. But what are its biggest characteristics and differences? See below.
Conventional filters
Made of cellulose or “paper” impregnated with phenolic resin, they are the most common and most used in general. However, in spite of being cheaper, they have higher costs in the long run, due to their lower quality of filtration compared to permanent filters and because they require more frequent changes.
Permanent filters
Going ahead of conventional filters, the permanent ones are made for greater durability, presenting higher costs immediately. Permanent filters, however, allow more savings in the long run, due to their better and more constant filtering quality, in addition to being reusable. They fall into two types:
- Cleaning filters: as the name indicates, they are filters that must be cleaned and reused, since they are saturated and must be cleaned before this process occurs.
- “Bypass” filters: they have an internal or external purifier, which performs oil filtration, acting on extending its useful life and reducing changes.
Filtration and microfiltration
Contamination and impurities in the lubricating oil can cause damage to the system and significant losses in the production chain or in the condition of the components. In this sense, oil filtration is a tool used to extend the life of the equipment. The filtration system consists of a set of filters through which the oil passes, thus retaining the contaminating particles.
However, this process is further perfected in oil microfiltration, which guarantees even more effective cleaning. Such a procedure is capable of retaining approximately 900 grams of solid contaminants and also removing sludge from the fluid. Microfiltration occurs in the separation of particles present in oils, fluids and emulsions in which the filter elements have pores of 0.1 to 10 micrometers.
Microfiltration methods are more efficient in removing particles, providing more safety and productivity, and can reduce costs. Hence the importance of knowing how to choose the best lubricating oil filter. Learn more about the benefits of microfiltration in this post.
How to choose the best oil filter: Beta Reason for Filters
One of the possible ways to measure how to choose the best lubricating oil filter is presented in the Beta Ratio of Filters. It is a tool that allows to compare the performance of liquid filters with precision and objectivity, measuring the filter removal capacity for particles of a certain size of the fluid stream. In this way, one can evaluate its effectiveness in removing specific sizes of contaminating particles.
In tests applied with the Beta Ratio of Filters, aspects such as the percentage of particles removed from the fluid by the filter are evaluated, as well as the efficiency of a filter medium to remove a given particle size. Learn more about the Beta Filter Ratio and how to run your tests here.
In order to guarantee a system free of impurities and contamination, invest in predictive maintenance and its tools, such as oil analysis, filtration and microfiltration, which work to prevent failures and extend the life of your equipment.
Still have questions about choosing lubricating oil filters? Make the right choice for your business future: request a quote!
