THE REMOVAL OF SEA WATER AND SOLID CONTAMINATION FROM DISTILLATE FUELS:A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF HYDROCLONES

摘要

A preliminary evaluation of the potential of the hydroclone to separate sea water and solids contamination from Navy Distillate fuel aboard ship has been made. The shipboard fuel contamination problem is reviewed in the light of recent shipboard studies. The hydroclone is described, and its theory of operation is presented. Limited data from hydroclone tests at two universities on the removal of water and fine solids from JP-4, kerosene, No. 2 diesel fuel, and a Navy Distillate fuel have provided information for evaluation of the hydroclone's effectiveness. The hydroclone would probably be effective in removing rust and similar solid particles larger than about 15 micrometers in size from distillate fuels. It should be a practical contamination-removal device for use in shipboard Navy Distillate fuel systems as a pretreatment, contaminate-overload guard, or coarse fuel clean-up device. It is probably not suitable for use as the sole, final clean-up unit since it cannot effectively remove water drops smaller than about 10 micrometers in diameter. Because the hydroclone is potentially useful in connection with shipboard fuel contamination-control systems, further research should be undertaken to define more fully the benefits and limitations of this device in distillate fuel service. (Author)