Filtasorb2 launched by Filtertechnik

Categories:
  • Water absorbent media
  • First For Fuels
  • Filtasorb2

Filtasorb2 launched by Filtertechnik

An innovative new British technology for the removal of water from oil and fuel

Filtertechnik, a leader in filtration technology and clean-up systems for fuel, biodiesel, oil, and process fluids, has launched Filtasorb2, its revolutionary new water absorbency media. Filtasorb2 is set to revolutionise the market for removing both free and absorbed water from all oils, bio-based oils, biodiesel and modern blends of diesel fuel, both from a technical point of view and as a viable economic proposition.

We have taken water absorbency to the next level with Filtasorb2 which can hold twice the volume of water than the previous version and 3 times as much as its nearest competitor. The new media technology, manufactured in a cost effective filter cell format, gives unrivalled performance even at low flow rates of 200 litres per minute. The filter media has been developed by Filtertechnik in the UK, where it will be manufactured. Filtasorb2 is doubly beneficial as the filter cells also have a 1 micron nominal capture outer layer to remove particulate matter as well as water.

Filtasorb2 also sets a new benchmark for the cost effective filtration of oils and fuels. It is by far the most competitive method of removing water available. Most oils and fuels will absorb a certain amount of water before it becomes saturated and falls out to become free water. If oils or fuels have a bio-base or biodiesel blend the amount of absorbed water they can hold increases. In the case of modern diesel blends the saturation point is approximately 220 parts per million (ppm). At higher levels water held in suspension becomes free and is released from the fuel. Usually this free water can be drained off before any damage is caused.

However, the danger zone occurs when water remains suspended in the fuel slightly below the saturation point e.g. between 160 and 220ppm. Water content at this level would typically be regarded as very high. Diesel leaving the refinery would have a water content of 40-50ppm on average.

High water content in diesel promotes and supports microbial activity (diesel bug) it also expedites the degradation of fuel leading to long chain polymer formations of paraffin and asphaltine which can block injectors.

There are several widely established methods of removing water from oils and fuels, the most common being:
• Coalescing
• Vacuum Dehydration
• Absorbency

Coalescing
This method can be good at removing free water. A waxy membrane causes water molecules to collect and coalesce into droplets, these then run down the face of the filter element for collection/draining at the bottom of the filter housing. Coalescing has become less effective with bio-based oils and modern diesel fuels as the introduction of biodiesel has lowered the interfacial tension (IFT) or surface tension. Coalescing can also fail to get the quantity of absorbed water down to an acceptable level.

Vacuum Dehydration
This can be an effective method of removing free and absorbed water from mineral oils. The initial investment is high as the machinery is expensive however once purchased operating costs are low. Vacuum dehydration works by lowering the boiling point of trapped water in a vacuum. Vacuum dehydration is not effective with bio-based oils, biodiesel or modern diesel blends.

Water Absorption
This method is suitable for most oils and fuels including any bio-based oil or modern diesel fuel. Absorption has traditionally been an expensive and slow method of removing water from oils and fuels. Low absorption rates using cellulose or silica media has meant that the cost per ml of water removed is expensive.

In recent trials Filtasorb2 set a new benchmark in the removal of water through absorption. It’s highly effective, even in a single pass through the media, at low and high flow rates. In a demanding trial, using diesel at a flow rate of 150 l/min Filtasorb2 removed a very a high volume of free and absorbed water from an initial level of over 44,000ppm to under 100ppm in a single pass.

Filtasorb2’s key advantages are:
• Rapid water removal, even at high flow rates
• Low cost per ml of water removed
• Removes both free water and absorbed water down to under 50ppm

Filtasorb2 is currently manufactured to fit in size 1 and 2 filter cell housings but it can be manufactured to suit other filter housings by special order.

For further information on this innovative British product contact Filtertechnik by email (sales@filtertechnik.co.uk) or call 0115 900 3600. Web filtertechnik.co.uk