Overview
A client upgraded the oil filtration system on their STX MAN 18V28/23S engine at one of their power plants, replacing an older FM600 centrifugal filter with an IOW Group MP600. The plant plays an important role in supporting regional power generation, where maintaining engine reliability and operational continuity is critical. The upgrade was driven by the need to improve lubrication oil cleanliness by removing a greater volume of contaminants from the system, with the aim of supporting enhanced engine reliability, performance, and longer operating intervals.
Installation
Upgrading the oil filtration system from a FM600 to an IOW MP600 centrifuge was an easy and straightforward process, thanks to its bolt-on, bolt-off design. Paired with the CentriClean SCU0002 monitoring system, operators are also able to remotely monitor the performance of the MP600, a capability not available with other centrifugal filters. This allows engineers to verify that the unit is operating correctly, track filtration performance, and receive service notifications when maintenance is required, helping to support uninterrupted and efficient operations.
Results
In a direct performance comparison, the IOW Group MP600 demonstrated a significant improvement in contaminant removal efficiency over the existing FM600 unit. Over a 192-hour operating period, the FM600 removed 600g of contaminants from the lubrication oil, whereas the MP600 removed 1,650g during the same timeframe. The MP600 then went on to remove an additional 3.65kg of contaminants over the following 207 operating hours.
The system is also equipped with IOW Group’s Separator Control Unit (SCU), enabling remote monitoring and proactive maintenance notifications to support planned servicing schedules. By removing substantial volumes of contamination from the lubrication oil, the MP600 supports improved oil cleanliness, helping to reduce wear on critical engine components and enhance overall equipment reliability and service life.
Conclusions
The upgrade in centrifugal filter highlights the importance of effective contamination control in maintaining engine reliability and operational performance within power generation environments. By replacing the existing FM600 with the IOW MP600, the site achieved substantial improvement in contaminant removal, supported by enhanced remote monitoring capabilities through the SCU0002. Improved oil cleanliness contributes to reduced component wear, extended oil change intervals and more reliable long-term operations.
