Update on Velcon Products

Subject: Update on Velcon Products

• Velcon qualified the ACI-6xx01L & ACI-6xx01LTB series water absorbing cartridges to API/IP-1583 (Specifications and Qualification Procedures for Aviation Fuel Filter Monitors with Absorbent Type Elements) in late 2001. The addition of the “L” series cartridges to the existing ACI-K series gives Velcon more flexibility in providing timely delivery.
  
  The “L” and “K” series will perform identically. The “L” series cartridges were qualified at a slightly higher flow rate per inch of media than the “K” series. The only difference is that the water absorbing media is from a different manufacturer.
  They will absorb the same amount of water and hold the same amount of dirt before the recommended 25 psid changeout (15 psid in fuel containing anti-icing additive - FSII). Thus, the “L” and “K” series cartridges could be put together in the same vessel.
  
  
• Velcon has qualified our I-620MM coalescers and our SO-620C separators to the API/IP-1581, 4th (and proposed 5th) Edition, Category M. These cartridges were then used in tests to qualify F/S vessels to the U.S. Navy specifications. These F/S vessels, built by AAE of Canada, are designed for installation into the new Aircraft Carriers, and might also be retrofitted into the older Carriers.
  
  
• Velcon qualified our FO-6xxA3 series filter elements to the new API/IP-1590 Specification (Specifications and Qualification Procedures for Aviation Fuel Microfilters). The A3 series are pleated paper filters, and are rated at 3 microns, per API/IP-1590. They will perform very close in dirt holding and efficiency to our present FO-6xxPLF1/2 series filter elements.
  
  There are presently 4 models available: FO-614A3, FO-629A3, FO-644A3 and FO-656A3. Other models, such as threaded base FO-6xxA3TB will be added at customer requests.
  
  
• Velcon qualified the louvered inner tubes for our “85” and “87” series coalescers and various SO-6xxC and SO-6xxV separators. These tubes have “louvered window” type openings, versus the round hole type tubes used for many years. There is no difference in performance with the new louvered tubes, but it allows for more efficient production. The difference in the tubes might be observed in the SO-6xxC and SO-6xxV separators with a close look under the TCS screen. The new louvered tubes in the above elements will start production in mid-April 2002.

Velcon will be starting qualification to the new API/IP-1581 5th Edition (Specification and Qualification Procedures for Aviation Jet Fuel Filter/Separators) by mid-year 2002. There are many tests that we have planned. Most of the tests will be to Category C.

For info, 1581 had divided F/S vessels into 3 classes through the 3rd Edition, each Class (A, B and C) varying in the amount of dirt and water added (more for Class A, less for Class C). In the 5th Edition, there will be no Classes, but there are 3 different Categories:

“C” for the standard commercial F/S vessels, tested with 3% water, 72 mg/US gal
of dirt (90% Arizona Test Dust ISO 12103-1, A1 and 10% Copperas Red Iron Oxide) with Stadis 450 (1.0 mg/l) and DCI-4A (15 mg/l).

“M” for the military JP-8 and JP-5 fuel F/S vessels, tested like the above C Category, but twice as much Stadis 450, the same amount of DCI-4A, plus Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII, Di-EGME) (0.20% by volume).

“M100” for the military JP-8+100 fuel F/S vessels, tested like the above M Category, but with the additional 256 mg/l of SPEC AID 8Q462 (the +100 additive).

There was a 4th Edition of API/IP-1581 which was published for a short while, but this has been superceded by the proposed new 5th Edition. The 4th Edition also required the Category C, M and M100 tests to be performed with the additional additive Petronate L. Due to problems qualifying with this additive, the 4th Edition was withdrawn. However, the few qualification tests that Velcon and other manufacturers qualified to the M100 and M Categories will be carried forward and considered qualified to the 5th Edition.

There are other changes of note from the 3rd to the 5th Edition of API/IP-1581, but these will be explained in more detail once the 5th Edition has been finalized.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Very truly yours,

Rick Waite
Petroleum Products Manager
1-800-531-0180, x250
E-mail: vfsales@velcon.com