Velcon Provides Diesel Fuel Filtration Solutions

for fuel quality and cleanliness, crucial factors to guarantee engine performance

Transfer Points

Contamination of fuel often occurs at points of transfer and in the delivery process itself:

• Terminals
  
• Barges
  
• Rail cars
  
• Pipelines
  
• Tank farms
  
• Diesel farms

Transportation

• Fleets
  
• Railway

Military

• Transportation
  
• Marine

Mines

Large machinery supporting varied tasks require clean fuel:

• Mining equipment
  
• Heavy Duty

Other Applications

• Agriculture
  
• Marine
  
• Power Generation
  
• Generator Sets

Coalescing

The basic principle of coalescing:
As fuel flows into the coalescer cartridge, fibers in the cartridge combine tiny water droplets in the fuel into larger droplets resulting in the removal of water from the fuel.

Media inside water absorbing cartridges absorb water particles from fuel as the fuel passes through the media. As these media particles become saturated with water they swell and eventually restrict the flow of fuel through the cartridge.

Water Absorbing Media

Clay Treatment

Clay cartridges are used to remove polar compounds, such as surfactants, from fuel. These compounds are stripped from the fuel by surface adsorption onto the high surface area clay particles inside the cartridge.

Micronic filters are made from pleated or depth media to trap small micron-sized particles of contamination. By maximizing surface area, large amounts of solid materials can be removed cost effectively.

Operators report that 90% of diesel troubles are due to dirt and/or water in the fuel. This is particularly true as all diesel engines adopt a high pressure common rail system that demands high performance filters.

Studies by Southwest Research Institute^® indicate that the critical particle size for initiating significant abrasive wear in a rotary injection fuel pump and high-pressure injection systems is 6 - 7 microns.

Although diesel fuel that leaves the refinery is usually clean, the final fuel quality can vary from batch to batch due to contamination from dirt and water accumulated during transportation and storage. Compared with jet fuel, diesel fuel has a higher specific gravity, is more viscous, and has a higher amount of waxy substances.

Velcon Filters, LLC. is in a unique position to help solve the problem of dirty/wet diesel fuel. Over the last 50+ years Velcon has supplied filters for particulate solids removal; coalescing filters and separators to remove both free water and solids, and water absorbing cartridges for aviation jet fuel. As a result of this successful experience Velcon has also developed a range of products for diesel fuel filtration.

For bulk storage and transportation Velcon normally recommends a 5 micron prefilter followed by all-fiberglass coalescers to remove free water. When diesel fuel contains flow improvers or lubricity additives, coalescers are quickly disarmed. Velcon recommends the use of Aquacon® water absorbing cartridges if such additives are present in the fuel.

 

Biodiesel (FAME – fatty acid methyl esters) is a diesel replacement fuel produced from virgin vegetables oils, reprocessed animal fats, or used cooking oils. Pure biodiesel (B100) is blended with diesel fuels at low concentrations from 2% (B2) to 20% (B20) in the US; and higher concentrations in Europe. Different feed stocks affect fuel stability, and blends higher than B5 can require special treatment due to decreased fuel stability, increased viscosity, and dispersancy/solvency problems. Water contamination of biodiesel causes problems such as lowering the heat of combustion, increased gelling, and microbial contamination. Particle contamination can lead to clogged injector nozzles.

Velcon recommends using filter cartridges and water absorbing cartridges on blended biodiesel. For B100 fuel, use filter cartridges for particle contaminant removal. Fuller’s earth (clay) cartridges have been effective for removing unwanted surfactants.

VCA^® (Velcon Contaminant Analyzer) – an inline device that simultaneously detects the presence of both water and solids in fuel.

Field Test Kits:

Hydrokit^® (HKD25) – detects the presence of water in fuel (200 ppm sensitivity).

Water and Visual Clarity (VFT-0100) – detects entrained water to 100 ppm.

Bio-Detect Field Test (VFT-0150) – detects the presence of biodiesel in diesel (sensitivity to 1% bio).

Velcon Part # &

Data Sheet #

Solids(S)/

Water(W)

Removal

100%

Biodiesel

Disposable Cartridges:

DC Series #2002

Velcon is committed to quality products in filtration. In order to make certain our diesel filter products meet the highest standards, we are pleased to present our recently completed diesel test lab. The tanks shown in this photo hold 900 gallons each of diesel and biodiesel fuels. Velcon’s diesel and biodiesel filters will undergo stringent testing in the next few years. At Velcon, we stand behind our products, as we continue to seek solutions to ensure quality fuel whenever and wherever it’s needed.