Internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine, comprising

• at least one centrifuge configured to separate foreign particles from a lubricant, wherein the at least one centrifuge is so designed that a lubricant volumetric flow of the lubricant directed into the at least one centrifuge produces and/or maintains a rotational movement of the at least one centrifuge,
• at least one centrifuge pump configured to produce and/or increase the lubricant volumetric flow of the lubricant directed into the at least one centrifuge, and
• an open-loop or closed-loop controller configured to provide an open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one centrifuge pump according to a setpoint value for a kinematic operating parameter and/or for a setting parameter of the centrifuge pump,
• wherein the open-loop or closed-loop controller is configured to gradually change the setpoint value for the open-loop or closed-loop control of the at least one centrifuge pump upon shutdown or starting of the at least one centrifuge pump.