Abstract: An oil cleaning system is provided that includes a source of oil that is substantially free of aqueous content. The system further includes an oil flow conduit that is in fluid communication with the oil source. The oil flow conduit is operable to draw a flow stream substantially free of aqueous content from the oil source. Further, a barrier filter is positioned in the conduit to filter particles from the flow stream. Furthermore, an electrostatic fluid cleaner is positioned in the oil flow conduit downstream of the barrier filter to remove contaminants from oil flow exiting the barrier filter, particularly insoluble, submicron particles of oil degradation products.

Abstract: An oil cleaning system is provided having an oil source and a re-circulating oil flow conduit that is in fluid communication with the oil source and operable to draw an oil flow stream therefrom. A barrier filter is further provided and positioned in the oil flow conduit to filter particles from the flow stream. An electrostatic fluid cleaner is also positioned in the oil flow conduit downstream of the barrier filter to remove particles from oil flow exiting the barrier filter. Furthermore, a selectively operable bypass conduit is provided that is fluidly connected to the oil flow conduit upstream of the electrostatic fluid cleaner. A sensor is positioned to detect a predetermined aqueous content upstream of the electrostatic fluid cleaner and to divert flow in the flowstream into the bypass conduit.