THE CLARIFIERAugust 2002Volume 13 Number 2

C O N T E N T SAdvantages of Horizontal vs Vertical Filter/Separators.....2Questions & Answers..................................................................3Operating Water Absorbing Cartridges at ReducedFlow Rates, cont’d.......................................................................3GSE Expo in Las Vegas, Oct. 1 - 3............................................3Farewell Rick Waite............................ ......................................4

(Continued, page 3)

Static Charge Reducer

Operating Water Absorbing Cartridgesat Reduced Flow Rates

The importance of recording differential pressure and actual flowrate is often overlooked. If operating at, say, 7 psi differential at 40%

flow rate and then flow rate is returned to 100% of rated flow, thedifferential pressure would be 25 psi. If the differential pressure is

25 psi at 40% rated flow, then at 100% flow the differential pressurewould exceed 100 psi -- well above cartridge changeout.

D uring the last year we have been advised thata few instances

occurred where fuelingoperators heard “noises”coming from monitor vessels.Subsequent examination of thevessels and monitor cartridgesindicate that electrostaticcharging occurred.

Velcon Filters has developed anew device to reduceelectrostatic charging – ourSCR (Static Charge Reducer,patent applied for). Currently,this device is undergoing trialsin Germany. The SCR fits onthe end of a CDF cartridge,which in turn is located in thecartridge plate. The SCR isapproximately two inches long,and therefore will require ashorter element or an extendedhead cover. The device issimilar to a lightning rod, and itensures that the charge in thefuel is dissipated before the fuelexits the vessel.The trials in Germany are goingvery well. Before the SCR wasfitted the operator could hearthe charging. The deviceimmediately eliminated thenoise from the electrostatic

charging.

API/IP are collecting data onelectrostatic incidents, and anydata or information should beforwarded to Phil Rugen ofShell, atPhil.D.Rugen@OPC.shell.com.

We will keep everyone informedon this issue through ourClarifier newsletter, or you maycontact Velcon Filters directlyfor more information.

2

Advantages of Horizontal vs. Vertical Filter/Separators

A number of customers and system design engineers have asked what the advantages areof the horizontal end-opening filter/separator vessels versus vertical F/S vessels. Theadvantages are:

1. Easier element changeout. The operator does not have to climb up on a work platformor ladder to change out the elements. Also, the operator does not have to lift the ratherheavy, fuel-laden coalescers vertically over the vessel lid. Internal cleaning of the vessel isalso easier.

2. Eliminates the chance of getting dirt downstream. In the vertical vessels the drippingdirt-laden coalescers could be lifted over the open separator stools, resulting in dirt drippinginto the downstream separator stools. This can’t happen in the horizontal end-openingvessels where the separator stools are located at the top of the vessel.

3. The vessel has to be drained completely before opening. In a vertical F/S vessel, theoperator sometimes starts the draining procedure, opens the vessel lid, and startsremoving the coalescers while the fuel level is relatively high. Entrained dirt in the pleatedmedia can be easily flushed out onto the deckplate, making vessel cleanup much moredifficult. In the horizontal vessels, the vessel has to be drained completely before openingthe lid (otherwise, the operator gets a fuel soaking! This should only happen once, at themost!).

4. Dropping of hardware while installing the spider is less of a hassle in the horizontalvs. vertical vessels. Once the elements are installed in a vertical vessel, if nuts andwashers are dropped in the vessel while installing the end cap and spider hardware, theoperator either laboriously fishes them out, or spends extra time locating additionalhardware. If dropped in a horizontal vessel, they are easily retrieved.

Vertical Filter/Separatorsat a tank farm

Horizontal Filter/Separator

3

If the water defense system is removed, anda different sump cover is placed on the F/Svessel (Velcon can supply), then there will beno operational or inspection problems.However, if the water defense system is lefton the vessel, there might be someuninformed Airline Inspectors that insist thewater defense system be checked quarterly,per ATA-103. ATA-103 does not address thissituation of the “redundant” water defensesystem on F/S vessels converted to API/IP-1583 water absorbing cartridges (i.e., theVelcon ACI cartridges).

So, the customer has a choice: remove thewater defense system when converting to theACI water absorbing cartridges, or leave it onthe F/S vessel and gamble that the AirlineInspector is knowledgeable or reasonable.Meanwhile, we’ll see if we can influence thenext rewrite of ATA-103 to address thissituation.

Frequently AskedQuestions & Answers

Q There are a large number of filter/separator vessels that have been (andare being) converted to the waterabsorbing cartridges (ACI-6xx01L/LTB) inplace of the coalescers. Instead ofmeeting the requirements of API/IP-1581for filter/separator vessels, these installedACI water absorbing cartridges meet theAPI/IP-1583 “Monitor” Specification.ATA-103 allows either configuration forinto-plane fueling.

When the F/S with coalescers andseparators is on the refueler/servicer,ATA-103 requires a water defense system.If this vessel is later changed to the ACImonitor cartridges, the water defensesystem is not needed. Should the waterdefense system be removed, or left inplace?

A

October 1 – 3, 2002Las Vegas Convention Center,

Las Vegas, NV - USA

Exhibit Hall Hours Tuesday, October 1....10:30am - 5:00pm Wednesday, October 2....10:30am - 5:00pm Thursday, October 3....10:30am - 2:00pm

www.gseexpo.com

Ground Support EquipmentExpo in Las Vegas

Be sure to visit Velcon’s booth at the Las VegasConvention Center in early October at the GSE Show!Stop by booth # 832. This will be the place to sign upfor a new F-35 poster if you haven’t received one yet.Registration to the Expo is free. Pre-register at GSE’sweb site listed above (www.gseexpo.com).

Form 1846 - CartridgeChangeout Curve Label

Velcon has developed two tools to assistoperators in calculating the corrected differentialpressure. These are the Differential PressureConversion Calculator, Form #1871, and theCartridge Changeout Curve Label, Form # 1846.Please contact Velcon for more information onthis important topic.

Form 1871 -DP Conversion

Calculator

Operating Water Absorbing Cartridges

at Reduced Flow Rates

See us atBooth #832!

4525 Centennial BlvdColorado Springs, CO 80919-3350

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLO SPGS, COPERMIT NO. 623

If you know anyone who would liketo receive The Clarifier, fax their name,

company and address tothe address listed on the left.

We also welcome your comments andsuggestions on topics covered

in The Clarifier.

Velcon Filters, Inc.Attn: Robin Mason4525 Centennial Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3350Phone: (719) 531-5855Fax: (719) 531-5690e-mail: vfsales@ velcon.com

Velcon Filters, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Farewell Rick Waite...As you may have heard already, on June 3, 2002, RickWaite, Product Manager at Velcon Filters, Inc., announcedhis retirement. Although Rick had been talking aboutretiring in 2004, he decided to retireearlier than planned.

Rick joined Velcon Filters in 1975and after 27 years he will be missedby his friends at Velcon and those inthe Aviation Fueling Industry. Prior tojoining Velcon, Rick graduated fromthe US Naval Academy in 1962, andserved seven years in the Navy. Afterleaving the military, Rick worked for

Humble Oil & Refining Co. (Exxon) for several years asplant manager, dispatch supervisor, propanesuperintendent, and aviation operations advisor.

Rick also had been active in the ASTMSubcommittee J (Aviation Fuels) andwas the editor of ASTM Manual 5, theManual of Aviation Fuel Quality ControlProcedures.

We hope that you will join us inwishing Rick a long and happyretirement.

Rick and Lynn Waite