Gear Oil Filtration Equipment Selection Guide

Filtering gear oil requires the right equipment to handle high viscosity, metal wear particles, and water contamination. The main goals are to remove solid impurities and eliminate free, emulsified, and dissolved water, ensuring stable lubrication and extended gearbox life.

Main Gear Oil Filtration Equipment

1. High-Viscosity Vacuum Oil Filter (Best Choice)

• Combines heating, vacuum dehydration, and precision filtration

• Removes water to <100 ppm and ultra-fine particles

• Designed for ISO VG 220–680 gear oils

• Best for: Water ingress, emulsified oil, deep oil purification

2. Plate and Frame Pressure Oil Filter

• Uses filter paper or cloth for solid particle removal

• Excellent for metal shavings and sludge

• Cannot remove water effectively

• Best for: Heavy-duty gear oils, pre-filtration

3. Centrifugal Oil Separator

• Separates contaminants using density differences

• No filter consumables, suitable for continuous operation

• Limited removal of fine particles and dissolved water

• Best for: Coarse filtration and online protection

4. Coalescing Oil Filter

• Specializes in removing free and emulsified water

• Fast dehydration response

• Often used with vacuum systems

• Best for: Emergency water removal

Equipment Selection Summary

Key Selection Criteria

• Heating required: 50–70°C to reduce viscosity

• Filtration accuracy: 10–5 μm (≤3 μm for high-speed gearboxes)

• Water target: ≤100–200 ppm

• Flow rate: Full oil circulation within 4–8 hours

Conclusion

For most industrial gear oils, high-viscosity vacuum oil filters provide the most complete solution. For simpler needs or limited budgets, combining solid filtration and coalescing dehydration is effective. Always verify results with oil analysis before and after filtration.