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 free water and solid particles down to about 0.5 micron. 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.
Gas and steam power plants use lube oil centrifuges to keep the lubricating oil clean and dry. These applications involve high-efficiency separation of oil and water and remove fine sediment from the lube oil.
Condensate leaks from cooling systems contaminate lube oil with water, and sludge particles originating from combustion or wear on moving parts also contaminate lube oil.
An Alfa Laval lube oil centrifuge removes all solid contaminants & water from the lubricating oil. Purified lube oil is desirable for the trouble-free operation of turbines and engines.
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.
Dolphin Centrifuge is the independent specialist in Alfa Laval centrifuges, with remanufactured machines, turnkey systems, parts, and service built on 40+ years of Alfa Laval experience. Every lube oil module on this page is a Dolphin-engineered skid built around a remanufactured Alfa Laval centrifuge: the MAB 103, MAB 204, MAB 205, and MAB 206 manual-clean machines, and the self-cleaning MOPX 209 / MOPX 210 for larger flows. The skid, controls, heater, and pumps are Dolphin's engineering; the separator inside is Alfa Laval. Dolphin is an independent remanufacturer and is not affiliated with Alfa Laval.
Turbine Oil Centrifuge Service
Steam and gas turbine lube oil is the most common job these machines do. Turbine oil picks up condensate through gland seals and oxidation products through years of hot service, and both are what a centrifuge removes best. An Alfa Laval MAB 103 handles a small steam turbine sump at about 2.5 GPM on turbine lube oil, the MAB 205 covers mid-size turbine reservoirs at about 10 GPM on lube oil (R&O), and the MAB 206 runs about 20 GPM. Power plants running larger reservoirs move up to the self-cleaning Alfa Laval MOPX 210, which processes 45 GPM of ISO 32 turbine oil and ejects its own sludge. Turbine oil separates best around 150 F, and a kidney loop off the main reservoir lets the centrifuge run continuously without taking the turbine offline.
Indicative Pricing
Our smallest manual-clean centrifuge - skid-mounted with controls and pumps (optional mobile trolley) - starts around the mid-$30s. The system is engineered and built in Michigan around a remanufactured Alfa Laval centrifuge. Larger self-cleaning and manual-cleaning systems available for higher throughput.
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 > 0.5μ; 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 | 29 GPM | 72 GPM |
| ISO 32 Lube Oil Capacity | 3 GPM | 10 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 | 10 GPM on lube oil (R&O); 19 GPM on 13 cSt diesel; 29 GPM rated |
| 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 | 2.5 GPM on turbine lube oil; 4 GPM on 13 cSt diesel |
| Motor HP | 1 HP |
| Voltages | 230V / 460V; 110 V single-phase option available |
| Skid Dimensions | 3' x 4' |
| Bare Machine Weight | 250 lbs |
| 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.