Lube Oil Coalescer Element: Extending the Life of Your Lubrication System
A Lube Oil Coalescer Element is a specialized filter designed to remove water from lubricating oils in circulating systems. Water is a leading cause of lubricant degradation and component failure, existing as free, emulsified, or dissolved water. This element actively separates free and emulsified water, restoring oil cleanliness and performance. Lefilter provides high-efficiency Lube Oil Coalescer Elements that are essential for maintaining hydraulic systems, turbine lube oil reservoirs, gearboxes, and other critical machinery.
The Problem: Water in Lube Oil
Water contamination in oil leads to:
Reduced Lubricity & Increased Wear: Water washes away protective oil films.
Corrosion & Rust: Attacks bearings, gears, and other ferrous components.
Additive Depletion: Water can hydrolyze and deplete critical additives.
Microbial Growth: Promotes “oil bugs” that create sludge and acids.
Cavitation & Varnish: Accelerates oil degradation and forms harmful deposits.
Our coalescer elements are the targeted solution for removing this destructive contaminant.
Operating Principle: Oil-Water Separation
The element is installed in a bypass or side-stream loop from the main oil reservoir. Contaminated oil is directed through the element:
Coalescence: The oil passes through a hydrophilic (water-attracting) coalescing media. Emulsified and free water droplets are captured and forced to merge into larger drops.
Gravity Separation: The enlarged water droplets, now denser than the oil, settle out of the oil flow by gravity.
Oil Return & Water Drain: The dewatered oil returns to the reservoir. The separated water is collected and either manually drained or routed to an automatic drain. This process continuously cleans a portion of the oil volume.
Advantages of Using Our Lube Oil Coalescer Elements
Maintains Optimal Oil Cleanliness: Actively removes water to help maintain target ISO cleanliness codes and water content (ppm) levels, extending oil service life.
Protects Critical Machinery: Prevents water-induced corrosion, pitting, and premature bearing failure in turbines, compressors, and large gearboxes.
Reduces Maintenance & Downtime: Mitigates the root cause of sludge and varnish, leading to fewer unplanned shutdowns and component replacements.
Improves System Reliability: Ensures consistent lubricant performance, maintaining viscosity and additive integrity for reliable equipment operation.
Cost-Effective Oil Management: Extends oil change intervals and reduces the need for costly oil disposal, offering a strong return on investment.
Technical Specifications & Selection
Parameter | Specification / Detail |
|---|
Primary Function | Removal of Free & Emulsified Water from Lube, Hydraulic, & Turbine Oils |
Water Removal Capability | Reduces water content to < 100 ppm (0.01%) or lower, depending on oil condition and flow. |
Filtration Rating | Typically includes particulate removal down to 3-10 microns (absolute). |
Flow Rates (Bypass) | Designed for side-stream treatment; flow rates from 1 to 20 GPM are common. |
Element Construction | Hydrophilic glass microfiber or composite media on a corrosion-resistant steel core. |
Seal Materials | Compatible with petroleum oils: Nitrile (Buna-N), Fluorocarbon (Viton). |
System Integration | Used in dedicated coalescing vessels or integrated into multi-stage filter housings. |
Typical Applications | Steam/Gas Turbine Lube Oil, Hydraulic Power Units, Large Gearboxes, Paper Machine Lubrication. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a coalescer element remove dissolved water?
A: No. Coalescers are designed to remove free and emulsified water (cloudy oil). To remove dissolved water (clear oil), a vacuum dehydration or air stripping system is required, often used in conjunction with a coalescer.
Q: How is this different from a standard particulate oil filter?
A: A standard filter removes solid particles. A Lube Oil Coalescer Element is specifically designed to remove liquid waterfrom oil, a contaminant that passes straight through standard particulate filters.
Q: Where should the coalescer be installed in the lube oil system?
A: It is most effective installed in a continuous bypass loop from the main reservoir. This allows it to continuously clean a portion of the oil without affecting main system pressure. It can also be installed in a kidney-loop system for offline treatment.
Q: How do I size a coalescer system for my reservoir?
A: Sizing depends on oil volume, target cleanliness, and the rate of water ingression. A common rule is to size the bypass flow to process the total reservoir volume every 4 to 8 hours. Our engineers can help with proper sizing.
Q: Are your elements compatible with synthetic and fire-resistant oils?
A: Yes. We offer elements with media and seal materials (e.g., Viton, EPDM) specifically compatible with phosphate ester (Skydrol), polyol ester, and other synthetic lubricants. Always confirm oil compatibility with our team.
