Bypass Oil Filters: Which is the Best?
The bypass oil filter market is dominated by two major bypass filtration players: Mann+Hummel and IOW Group. Each company has its unique offerings, but which one is the best? In this blog post, we will compare the performance of the Mann+Hummel centrifugal oil cleaners against the IOW Group bypass centrifuge filters. We will analyze both bypass oil filters based on their ability to remove contaminants from engine lubrication oil.
This shipping customer had Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal oil cleaners installed on their MAN 9L21/31 engines. They were looking to lower maintenance costs and increase engine reliability. Therefore, a trial was undertaken to upgrade the existing on-engine bypass oil filters to the new IOW MP600 centrifugal oil filter to reduce the life cycle costs of their auxiliary engines potentially.
Technical details are as follows:
| Engine Type | MAN 9L21/31 – GE No. 2 |
| Power Output | 1,935 kW |
| Engine Speed | 1,000 rpm |
| Oil Volume | 1,100 liters |
| Oil Type | TOTAL Aurelia TI 4030 |
| Oil Pressure | 5 bar |
| Fuel Burnt | HFO – RMK 500 |
With the engine having a lubricating oil system capacity of 1,100 liters, the vessel’s MAN 9L21/31 engines had Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal oil cleaners previously installed. The Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal oil cleaners were replaced with the IOW MP600 on-engine centrifuge filter. The IOW bypass filtration centrifuges are designed for drop-in and bolt-on/off installation, utilizing the same thread fixing holes and inlet piping connections.
Higher Centrifugal RPMs = Higher G Force = Better Separation Efficiency
The IOW MP600 centrifugal bypass filter is designed for an oil sump capacity of 190-1550 liters (41.8-341 gallons). The IOW bypass oil filters turn faster than any existing market product. The higher speeds of the IOW centrifugal filters separate solids from the lubrication oil more quickly and effectively than any other centrifugal bypass filter currently on the market. The IOW centrifuge bowl is completely sealed to avoid cross-contamination between the cleaned and dirty oil. With a unique central disc stack, the IOW MP600 centrifugal bypass filter significantly improves the separation efficiency — drawing out the smallest particles to the outer bowl wall.
Results of IOW Group vs. Mann+Hummel bypass filter comparison:
MAN 9L21/31 Engine | Mann Hummel vs IOW Group Bypass Filter
The IOW MP600 bypass centrifugal filter removed 6 kg of sludge in the first 136 operating hours. This was compared to the usual 2.5 kg of sludge collected by a Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal oil cleaner in the same number of running hours. The IOW MP600 bypass oil filter removed 2.5 times more sludge and particulates from the lubrication oil over the Mann Hummel centrifugal bypass filter in the same time frame. With the IOW bypass centrifugal filter, oil analysis samples were taken, highlighting that the oil was suitable for continued use and that particulate levels were not out of the ordinary.
The IOW MP600 centrifuge bypass filter was installed with a remote monitoring unit (SCU) that illustrated that the centrifuge was turning at 4,530 RPMs. The faster the bowl speed, the more effective the separation process. An IOW centrifuge bypass oil filter spins 15-30% faster than other competitors, which helps draw out much more harmful particles from the oil. The IOW centrifuge filter range is the only self-monitoring centrifuge filter in the world; therefore, we were unable to measure the performance of the Mann Hummel FM600 RPMs.
The monitoring units (SCUs) that the IOW Group offer come in two models, each with different features. However, both have the same advantage; by measuring, recording, and monitoring performance, you can ensure your centrifuge filter is performing optimally, plan maintenance accordingly, and investigate any changes in performance.
The new patented centrifuge designed by IOW Group outperforms traditional bypass centrifuge filters. The IOW bypass filter provides unbeatable performance and results with an innovative design.
The patented oil filtration centrifuge designed by IOW Group outperforms the Mann+Hummel centrifugal oil cleaners.
Conclusion:
Overall, the IOW MP600 bypass oil filter proved to be a more efficient and powerful filter when compared to the Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal oil cleaner. Compared to the performance of the Mann Hummel FM600 oil filter, the customer informed us the IOW bypass oil filter had removed three (3) times the amount of contaminations (in the same time period). Additionally, the lube oil cartridge filter life had been increased by 60% due to the continuous cleaning of the lube oil. The lifespan of the engine sump oil was increased by 30-50%, and all the centrifugal bypass filter parts were found to be in good condition after all the run hours.
The IOW MP600 bypass filtration system removed more contaminants in a shorter amount of time and with reduced particle micron size. The reduction in particle size is important as it allows for a more significant percentage of the contaminants to be captured and removed from the oil. With the increased sludge collection levels of the IOW MP600 bypass centrifugal filter, the question remained, what exactly was being removed by the centrifuge?
What exactly was the IOW Bypass Oil Filter removing from the lube oil that the Mann Hummel centrifuge oil filter does not?
Lube oil analysis and testing of the IOW centrifuge filter sludge cake showed high levels of asphaltenes. Further investigations and sampling found that higher than common levels of Asphaltenes were witnessed in the lube oil system; a reading of 0.79% by wt. was initially recorded during oil analysis. Asphaltenes are naturally occurring in crude oil. Apart from sludge formation, asphaltenes can cause the viscosity to rise, and they degrade the oxidation properties of the lubricant.
The superior efficiency and sludge removal of the IOW MP600 bypass oil filter were thankfully not only able to highlight and contain a major problem with the oil but that the source of these Asphaltenes was now able to be investigated and resolved. Without this timely intervention, the massive quantities of particulate would have caused increased; engine wear, maintenance, and overhaul costs in the future. Removing these harmful asphaltenes helps prevent damage to your crucial engine components.
The IOW MP600 bypass filter removed Asphaltenes from the lubrication oil, while the Mann Hummel FM600 bypass filtration system did not.
If you are looking for an effective way to clean your lubrication oil, consider using IOW Group’s bypass oil filter. The IOW MP600 centrifugal bypass filter is a more effective means of removing sludge and particulates from lubrication oils than traditional Mann+Hummel centrifugal oil filters (Spinner II oil cleaning centrifuge). To learn more about IOW Group’s centrifuges, visit our IOW Bypass Centrifugal Filter webpage. Need to improve your oil filtration systems? Contact us today to upgrade your current bypass centrifugal filters with IOW Group’s centrifugal oil cleaners.
Mann Hummel FM600 Centrifugal Oil Cleaner vs. IOW MP600 Bypass Oil Filter
IOW Group bypass Centrifuge filters outperform the Mann+Hummel centrifugal oil cleaners.
IOW Group’s bypass centrifugal filters are designed to remove more contaminants from engine oil than traditional bypass centrifuge filters. With an innovative design, these bypass oil filtration systems provide unbeatable performance and results. If you are looking for a centrifugal oil cleaner that will provide you with excellent results, then the IOW bypass centrifugal filter is a perfect choice. To learn more about IOW Group’s centrifuges, visit our IOW Centrifugal Bypass Oil Filter webpage. Order yours today!
Changing the Mann Hummel FM600 centrifugal bypass oil filter with the IOW MP600 bypass centrifugal filters highlighted an issue with the vessel’s heavy fuel oil (HFO) purifiers.
How to remove cat fines from marine fuel oil?
Purifiers
– Upgrade to the GEA Westfalia CatFineMaster.
– Do not stir or homogenize fuel oil upstream of purifiers.
– Ensure purifier inlet temperature is maintained at 95°C.
– Operate purifiers in parallel. This will improve the removal rate as it increases the residence time of the oil within the purifier bowl. Even with multiple purifiers operating in parallel, reduce their throughput to the level that is just sufficient to keep pace with the engines’ fuel consumption.
– Take samples of fuel oil at the purifier inlet and outlet. This will show purifier efficiency and indicate the level of cat fines introduced to the engine pre-filter.
Separator Spares & Equipment is an Authorized GEA Westfalia Separator Distributor. Contact us today to learn more about the GEA Westfalia CatFineMaster.
