30 Second Summary Takeaway
Lube oil centrifuge systems remove free water, soot, oxidation products, and fine metal wear particles from lubricating oil without consumable filter media. A disc stack centrifuge uses more than 6,000 Gs to separate solid particles greater than 1 micron and free water, with kidney-loop operation reaching about 0.5 microns. Dolphin supplies portable and skid-mounted Alfa Laval lube oil purifier modules for turbine lube oil, industrial lubricants, and gear oils. Systems on this page range from 3 to 45 GPM depending on model, oil viscosity, temperature, and flow rate.
These centrifuges are also known as Lube Oil Purifiers or Lube Oil Conditioning Modules.
What is a Lube Oil Centrifuge?
A lube oil centrifuge is an Alfa Laval separator used for separating water and solids from the lube oil. A disc-type industrial centrifuge uses centrifugal force to separate the lube oil from water and solid contaminants. Dolphin Centrifuge, based in Warren, Michigan, supplies purpose-built disc stack centrifuge systems for this application, generating over 6,000 Gs of centrifugal force.
How does a Lube Oil Centrifuge work?
A lube oil centrifuge exerts over 6,000 times the force of gravity to separate fine sediment and free water from the lube oil. The high g-force causes the solids and water to accumulate on the centrifuge bowl wall. The clean oil exits the centrifuge continuously from the center pathway while the water exits from a separate chamber.
Advantages
There are many advantages of centrifuges over lubricating oil filters, which are listed below.
- Simultaneous Water and Solids Removal: Separates water and sediment in a single pass - filters can only remove solids
- Continuous Processing: Operates without flow degradation, unlike filters that clog and lose efficiency over time
- High Separation Efficiency: Effectively separates water and sludge at over 6,000 Gs of centrifugal force
- Low Operating Cost: No replacement filter media required - zero consumable costs
- Low Labor Cost: Automatic operation reduces the need for operator intervention
- Compact Size: Suitable for confined space applications where large filter housings cannot fit
- Long Service Life: Industrial disc stack centrifuges are engineered for 30+ years of reliable operation
- Corrosion Resistance: Most bowl parts are stainless steel, providing excellent resistance to corrosion
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages of lube oil centrifuges are:
- Higher Initial Cost: Centrifuge systems require a higher upfront investment compared to filter assemblies
- Periodic Maintenance: Like all rotating machinery, centrifuges require scheduled maintenance and bowl inspections. Our centrifuge lubrication guide covers the key maintenance intervals.
- Limited Sludge Handling Capacity: The bowl sludge space fills over time and must be cleaned or ejected on a regular cycle
- Utilities Required: Power and water utilities are needed for centrifuge operation
Specifications
| Specification | Alfa Laval MAB-103 | Alfa Laval MAB-205 | Alfa Laval MOPX-210 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifuge Efficiency | Solid Particles > 1μ; Free Water > 2μ | ||
| Sludge Handling | Manual Clean | Manual Clean | Self-Ejecting / Auto Desludging |
| Bowl Speed | 8,600 RPM | 8,700 RPM | 5,180 RPM |
| Rated Capacity | 5 GPM | 28 GPM | 72 GPM |
| ISO 32 Lube Oil Capacity | 3 GPM | 18 GPM | 45 GPM |
| Sludge Space | 0.15 Gal | 0.54 Gal | 1.5 Gal |
| Motor Power | 1 HP | 5 HP | 15 HP |
| Module Dimensions* | 2' x 3' x 3' (H) | 3' x 4' x 4' (H) | 5' x 6' x 7' (H) |
| Module Weight* | 800 Lbs | 1,500 Lbs | 3,000 Lbs |
| Operating Voltage | 110V, 230/460V | 230/460V | 230/460V |
| Utilities Required** | Power, Water | Power, Water, Air | Power, Water, Air |
* Base module without options. ** Module with optional accessories.
Lubricating Oil Centrifuge System Setup
Lubricating oil purifiers are often installed in a 'kidney loop' arrangement. The diagram above shows the typical arrangement for this system.
A pump feeds the contaminated oil to the lube oil centrifuge through an electric heater. Pre-heating the oil reduces the viscosity. Lower viscosity leads to high separation efficiency from the purifier. The lube oil centrifuge separates the free water and solids (down to 0.5μ).
The separated water drains out of the centrifuge, and the separated solids accumulate in the centrifuge bowl. The operator removes the sludge manually in a 'manual clean' centrifuge. A 'self-cleaning' Alfa Laval centrifuge automatically ejects the separated sludge.
Lube Oil Centrifuge Modules from Dolphin
Alfa Laval MAB-205 Turbine Lube Oil Centrifuge
Manual-Clean · Hi-Speed · Disc Centrifuge
| MAB-205 Technical Specs | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 15 GPM on Turbine Lube Oil |
| Motor HP | 5 HP |
| Voltages | 110V / 230V / 460V |
| Skid Dimensions | ~4' x 5' |
| Skid Weight | ~1,800 lbs |
Alfa Laval MAB-206 Lube Oil Centrifuge
Manual-Clean · Hi-Speed · Disc Centrifuge
| MAB-206 Technical Specs | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 20 GPM on Lubricating Oil |
| Motor HP | 7.5 HP |
| Voltages | 230V / 460V |
| Skid Dimensions | 4' x 5' |
| Skid Weight | ~2,000 lbs |
Alfa Laval MAB-103 Lube Oil Centrifuge
Manual-Clean · Hi-Speed · Disc Centrifuge
| MAB-103 Technical Specs | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 3 GPM on Steam Turbine Lube Oil |
| Motor HP | 1 HP |
| Voltages | 230V / 460V |
| Skid Dimensions | 3' x 4' |
| Skid Weight | ~1,500 lbs |
Dolphin Centrifuge has over 40 years of industrial centrifuge experience. Read more about us and our background. Contact us for more information or a formal proposal.