A filtration system is made up of several complex components, but one of the most important is the backflushing filter.

A backflushing filter keeps lube oil clean and free from contaminants like dirt, scales, and metallic abrasions. Its main role is to prevent engine damage and extend the lifespan of your machinery.

As the world’s leading provider of high-performance separation and filtration solutions, the IOW Group knows filtration technology better than anyone. Below, we delve into the details of backflushing filters: how they work, what makes them so important, and why they're the key to keeping your engine running smoothly.

What is a backflushing filter?

A backflushing filter is a type of filter that removes impurities or contaminants from low viscosity liquids like lubrication oils and fuel oil. Unlike conventional filters, a backflushing filter is designed to be fully self-cleaning.

There are two types of backflushing filters:

• Manual backflushing filters: Manual backflush filters have to be set manually for backflushing periodically by those using them. From time to time, they must be checked for differential pressure changes and other abnormalities before opting to run the backflushing procedure.

• Automatic backflushing filters: As the name suggests, this process is automatic. A small amount of cleaned fluid already passed through the filter is used to ‘backflush’ the filter elements. The flow is reversed under high pressure to force cleaned liquid back through the filter mesh, removing dirt, soot and other contaminants.

How do backflushing filters compare to normal filters?

Backflushing and normal filters both do the same job – they filter liquids to remove contaminants and sediments. The difference, however, lies in how these filters are cleaned and maintained.

Normal filters must be checked manually and cleaned at regular intervals to maintain cleanliness and efficiency. If operators are negligent, the filter is less likely to last as long and will become more of a financial liability on the company, as regular servicing and replacement parts will be required.

With backflushing, the filter mesh is force-cleaned, sending built up contaminants out through a drain valve. It’s far easier to maintain backflush filters, as periodic servicing is not needed. They also have a longer lifespan (especially automatic backflush filters), saving you time and money in the long run!

How does a backflushing filter work?

1. Dirty oil enters through an oil inlet, passing through an initial course filter before entering a main filter chamber.
2. Within the main filter chamber, a stack of filter elements exist where the dirty oil is forced through each layer of mesh. The mesh catches particulates, filtering the oil before it’s circulated back into the engine. 
3. A small amount of cleaned oil is forced back through the filter stacks under high pressure to remove built up contaminants on the mesh, effectively rinsing the filters. This leaves them clean and ready to provide optimal filtration for the next cycle. 

What are the benefits of a backflushing filter?

Through eliminating the need for regular servicing and maintenance, backflushing filters offer non-stop filtration for more efficient operations. This in turn provides an excellent price-to-performance ratio where operating and maintenance costs are kept to a minimum, allowing companies to take advantage of increased production and less downtime. Moreover, overall engine performance is enhanced due to filtered oil circulating throughout the engine which reduces wear of critical components – ultimately giving customers the opportunity to capitalize on profits.

The IOW Group Q series: the next generation in backflushing technology

The IOW Group Q series backflushing filter is a colossal leap in the evolution of backflushing filtration. It continuously self-cleans by backflushing one segment of the mesh stack at a time (as pictured below), while the remaining segments filter dirty oil for circulation. All segments are cleaned once a minute using a distributor that rotates at 1 RPM (rotation per minute) with an IOW Group electric motor.