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How does an automobile oil filter use pressure filtration?
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Tap water filtration system.
An automobile oil filter functions as a pressure filter, a system where the pressure on the feed side of the filter medium is maintained at a level greater than that of the surrounding atmosphere.1
In the context of filtration, fluid must be driven through a filter medium by an external force. In an engine, the oil pump generates this necessary driving force by pushing oil through the filter medium. By applying this pressure to the fluid on the feed side, the system significantly increases the rate of filtration compared to gravity-based methods and allows for more compact equipment design. As the oil is forced through the medium, contaminants are trapped, ensuring the engine receives clean lubricant.2