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 to 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?

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