On the Relevance of SAE J1488 and Mono-olein Addition for Evaluating the Performance of Fuel-Water Separators (III) (PPT)

摘要

Effective evaluation of fuel-water separation filters is of major concern to both engine manufacturers and filtration industry. A standard test, SAE J1488 with additive removal and mono-olein addition to control the interfacial tension (IFT) of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), has been proposed as a potential solution to ensure filters are tested against a fuel with a reproducible set of properties. This work is directed at revealing inconsistencies found in test results and making recommendations to improve the current standard. As a continuation of earlier work presented at AFS 2012 summer and fall conferences, this study shows that extent of fuel clay treatment significantly impacts test results no matter clay treating fresh fuel or recycled fuel but fuel clay treatment to the same IFT seems to give reproducible results. An alternative approach, fuel clay treatment to highest IFT possible (> 40 mN/m) either before or after a water wash step, seems to give reproducible results even without subsequent clay treatment. The alternative approach uses recycled fuel, eliminates subsequent clay treatment, and needs less mono-olein addition but gives efficiency higher than using fresh ULSD. In an attempt to rationalize our observations we have evaluated the distribution of mono-olein throughout the pretreatment and fuel test systems, along with the test filters. These efforts have helped us rationalize many of the discrepancies found in test results and clarify some of issues associated with the SAE J1488 test standard.