Today, we will delve into a device that plays a key role in the purification of aviation fuel - the coalescer-separator filter vessels.
Aviation jet fuel (jet kerosene) leaves the refinery, goes through multiple storage, transportation and refueling stages, and finally enters the aircraft's fuel tank. In the process, the fuel absorbs water and solid dust from the atmosphere. In addition, the manufacturing, installation, and debugging of tubing and oil tanks may also introduce a large amount of moisture and impurities. If these mechanical impurities and free water are not effectively removed, they may block the oil circuit, lead to insufficient engine power, and even cause engine stalling, resulting in serious flight accidents.
According to statistics, 33% of flight accidents are caused by engine failure, and 50% of these engine failures are caused by particulate matter in jet fuel. Therefore, ensuring the cleanliness of aviation fuel is not only the key to extending engine life, but also an important measure to ensure flight safety.
How the coalescer-separator filter vessels works:
In order to effectively remove moisture and impurities in aviation fuel, the filter separator is usually installed in the aviation fuel supply system, and the coalescer is one of the core components. The filter separator can continuously process the fuel during the oil transfer process, and integrates the function of filtering impurities and dehydration to ensure the cleanliness of the fuel.
Inside the filter separator, there are two sets of filter elements with different functions: coalescing filter and separating filter. As the fuel flows through the filter separator, it undergoes four key processes: filtration, coalescence, sedimentation, and separation.
Filtration: The fuel is first passed through a first-stage coalesce filter to filter out solid impurities.
Coalescence: Tiny water droplets coalesce into larger droplets in the coalescence layer.
Sedimentation: Large water droplets settle to the bottom of the filter due to gravity.
Separation: The fuel is then passed through the two-stage separation filter element, and the unsettled water droplets are completely separated by the water repulsion of the separation filter element, and finally settle in the collection tank and discharged by the drainage valve.
After this series of treatments, impurities and moisture in the fuel are effectively removed, and finally the clean jet fuel is obtained for aircraft use.
