Capital Equipment News July 2016

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

BULK FUEL FILTRATION improves engine performance

T he quality and cleanliness of fuel is a major contributing factor to the per- formance of diesel engines and com- ponents. Contaminated fuel leads to higher maintenance costs and engine downtime. Good fuel filtration is vital for the perfor- mance of the engine. Fuel contaminants such as dirt, sediment and water can be introduced into the fuel through channels such as the processing stages, transporta- tion and when the fuel is delivered to the point of use. As a result, Cummins Filtration designed a Bulk Fuel Filtration system with an engi- neering company for a customer in Egypt. Cummins Technical Sales Manager for Africa, Gerald Annandale, notes that the system will be installed on site for a main storage tank to achieve cleaner fuel. “This Bulk Fuel Filtration system has a filter with a micron (µ) rating of 3, which means it will filter the contaminants of 3 µ or larger. The filter’s efficiency to remove contaminants does, however, depend on the quality of the fuel initially received,” he explains. Annandale explains that fuel injection sys- tem suppliers require that fuel meet the ISO 12/9/6 cleanliness standard at the in- jection system, as contaminated fuel can cause components to wear prematurely. “The Bulk Fuel Filtration system will help with reducing contamination levels where- by cleaner fuel can be obtained at the point of entry into the machine’s tank (ISO 18/16/13), resulting in less maintenance and labour costs which will lead to greater productivity,” he continues. How it works Fuel is pumped from the bulk fuel tank on the tank farm downstream into the Bulk Fuel Filtration system. The fuel can either be recycled to the main tank, on a kidney loop basis, or delivered to the tank of the mobile machine directly. At this point, the cleanliness level of ISO 18/16/13 or better is achievable. The cleanliness level can be improved upon at this point by running the unit as a kidney loop system, whereby ISO 16/14/12 can be achieved. Downstream of the vehicle’s tank, there is a first and second stage on-board system that is designed to achieve the desired ISO 12/9/6 cleanliness level with Fleetguard on-board NanoNet technology.

Co-ordinator, the Fleetguard range of products provide a solution of achieving cleaner fuel in conjunction with the Bulk Fuel Filtration system. “The Bulk Fuel Filtration system features a visual glass window that displays a rotating impellor that starts turning as soon as the filters restrict and this indicates that it is time to change the filters.” Maseko adds that the pump on the unit is sized to give a flow rate of 300 ℓ/min, and the elements fitted are at 3 µ abso- lute. “The unit is designed to handle up to 1 500 ℓ/min and the elements range from 3, 5, 6, 12 and 14 µ (Beta 200). The suction side of the pump is protected by a 150 µ ‘Y’ type strainer as well as an in- ternal relief setting of 15 bar on the pump to protect the system.” b

Cummins Technical Sales Manager for Africa, Gerald Annandale.

The Fleetguard range.

According Maseko, Cummins’ Marketing Communications to Nomfundo

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