Bypass Oil Filtration

Basics

• For Oil Filtration in the context of small Internal Combustion Engines (Such as Generators / Gensets , Cars, Trucks etc the Oil is filtered by a “ Full Flow Oil Filtration system”
• This is after the Oil Pump and all lubricating oil going to the engine must flow through this filter
• Due to the reasonably high flow needed, and the Size constraints, typically these only filter down to 40 Microns (double check this/add a source reference)
• ’’’Bypass Oil Filtration’’’ takes some of the flow after this filter away from the engine to send it to a finer “Bypass Oil Filter”
• This allows for all small soot/metal particulate dust yo be removed and thus the oil remains “new” looking
  • Oxidation/Nitration still need to be taken into account but this slower process becomes the issue not abrasive dust buildup
• Decreased Wear, Longer Oil Life and thus a potentially longer Oil Change Interval , and potentially increased Oil Flow are all benefits
• Main disadvantages are cost/complexity in the installation, and also another Oil Filter to swap + Properly Dispose Of

Internal Links

• Babbit Bearings / Shell Bearings / Hydrodynamic Bearings
  • Most bearings inside of engine components are these and oil flow is critical to their function+longevity
  • Sidenote most wear not from dust would be from the initial contact before the inner surface “floats” on the oil. In a Hybrid Electric Vehicle / using electric pumps rather than engine driven pumps, could the pressure be applied ‘’before’’ the engine starts up thus reducing wear?

External Links

• An Article in “Machinery Lubrication” Titled “ Understanding Engine Oil Bypass Filtration”
  • Mentions this site is funded/written by the “Noria Corperation” so that needs to be looked into/considered, great article otherwise
• A Post by Ansoil / Dan Hondl Titled “ Why use an oil bypass filtration system?”
  • Conflict of interest as they ‘’directly make and sell’’ bypass oil filters, so keep that in mind