Fuel Test Results Update

[jbplock]

a bear's latest fuel test results with a CAT 1R0755 filter on his MegaFilter mount have been added to the fuel test results tables.

Fuel Test Results – PDF
Fuel Test Results – Excel

(See ISO Contamination Code Table for an explanation of the ISO codes)

The files have also been reformatted and lines added for Water and Cetane Index. Previously posted values for water (ppm) and cetane index have been included. It may be interesting to compare these values along with additive usage at the time samples were taken. If those who have performed fuel tests can post (or email me) water, cetane index and additive used for the respective sample I’ll add this info to the data tables.

Send data to diesel1 at usadatanet dot net

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[56Nomad]

Thanks Bill..... nice work.

[jbplock]

The Fuel Test Data reposts have been updated to include Geno’s latest data as well as some water and cetane index values from earlier reports that OC_Dmax had in his archives (Thanks Alan!) Everyone please check their respective data for accuracy.

Fuel Test Results – PDF
Fuel Test Results – Excel

Also Geno, I searched for a description of your set up… did I get it right? Stanadyne FM100 Liftpump/prefilter, OEM and Post OEM Mega Filter?

If anyone else has fuel test data they would like included in the report please post or email me (see signature for address).

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[george morrison]

I echo those sentiments: Great work, excellent presentation..
Thank you for preparing and posting these results.
George Morrison

[jbplock]

George,
Thanks for the feedback... We also have to thank you for providing us with a high quality fuel test capability!
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[jbplock]

Added Nick's water and cetane numbers... [img]smile.gif[/img]

[jbplock]

Update on Geno’s fuel test results:

I heard from Geno today and it turns out his sample was taken from the Mega Filter bleeder port. Since the mega bleeder is on the dirty side the filter Geno’s test results are measuring the performance of his Stanadyne FM100 5 micron filter (with lift pump) and the OEM filter. His 15/14/11 ISO test results are pretty good considering they don’t include the contribution of the MegaFilter. The fuel coming OUT of his mega will surely have even lower (better) ISO results. This would also imply that an FM100 with a 2-micron element should meet the ISO targets as a PRE-OEM filter.

(The comment block in the fuel test results file has been updated to show Geno’s test conditions)

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[20050528|8|000731|000000|205.188.117.71]

From what I can tell, the Stanadyne FM 100, with the electric lift pump, part number 33945, uses a special reverse flow configuration filter / water separator element. These are not available in 2 micron, only 5 micron. I talked to the Racor tech line and was told that the factory filter on our trucks is 2 micron. (Racor makes the filter.) Assuming that Geno did everything exactly right, and his Stanadyne 5 micron filter before the factory 2 micron filter resulted in 15/14/11 test result numbers, is it worth adding another filter system after the factory filter to achieve 15/13/10? How much difference are we really talking about?

Mark

[OC_DMAX]

I talked to the Racor tech line and was told that the factory filter on our trucks is 2 micron.

And the next question that should be asked immediately is "What is the efficiency of the filter at 2 micron". It is maybe 60 - 70%. Just stating that it it a 2 micron filter is meaningless, without mentioning the efficiency of the filter in the same statement. Racor should know better. A number of people have called Racor over the months and been told the same thing. Its a 2 micron filter. Ask Kennedy if the 2 micron OEM is the same as his 2 micron Baldwin!

Reference this document (which has been floating around for a while on this site) for some additional info:

http://www.baldwinfilter.com/engineer/95_11.html

I hope the above helps.

Personally, I would like to have a little margin below the 15/13/10 ISO level. There is some test evidence that suggests for each ISO level drop, the injector wear due to particles in the fuel is reduced by 25% or more.

Besides, with Geno's set-up the Mega filter is the last in the chain, and you probably could go 40k miles before you have to change it!

[20050528|8|000731|000000|205.188.117.71]

OC,

You are right. After reading, and re-reading these filter threads here there is no question that the factory filter could, and should, be improved on. I think I saw somewhere here that each number increase is two times the amount of contaminants getting thru. I agree with you that meeting the posted numbers should be a minimum expectation, and beating them and allowing yourself some cushion should be the goal. It looks like I will go the whole nine yards and get the Stanadyne FM 100 with the lift pump pre-OEM, and add the Mega after. By monitoring the PSI after the Mega I should be able to see if there is enough fuel to supply the demands of a hot box, and if the PSI drops below whatever the normal is one of the three filters is getting dirty. I will have to make room in the extra tool box for all those filters!

Mark

[jbplock]

Chris's (Chuntag95) Pump and OEM fuel test results have been added to the fuel test results tables (page down).

Fuel Test Results – PDF
Fuel Test Results – Excel

Also added are separate efficiency entries for "All Filters" and "OEM only" for those samples where pump, OEM and overall filter test data is available.

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[Flyboy]

jbplock:

I notice that your water reading is the higest of all the samples shown and that you are using the Stanadyne additive. What do you make of that?
Gerald

[jbplock]

Gerald,

Good question! All the reported water ppm numbers are well below the maximum but I'm not sure what the significance of the spread in the numbers is. Maybe George can comment (?)

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[Kennedy]

I'll be running some multi pass tests soon in order to have some data that reflects the way many others have tested. Also trying out a new SUPER Mega filter element!


BTW, we are also testing a "non lift" solution to help the air pass through the Mega w/o accumulating.

[george morrison]

Additization does not affect fuel analysis. In lab tests "with and without" additization, cetane index and water content were within laboratory variation limits (essentially the same). Primrose 405 will raise cetane number 5+ points and emulsify water but will not reflected in Cetane Index or KF water content test results, as example. One has to do the $2000 cetane number test to reflect the increase. Cetane Index is an economical test that gives us an excellent reference for untreated diesel fuel. i.e. if we have a Cetane Index of 40 for a given fuel, it will remain 40 even after heavy treatment with a cetane boosting diesel fuel additive. However, if we do the $2000 test (which we have), the end result will be a cetane number of 46 or higher.
The same is true with water. Whatever water level present will be present in the KF water determination analysis. The chemical relationship of the water will be different if an emulsifying fuel additive is used but the same level of water will exist. Treated or untreated..
Thus, difference in reported water content is simply a function of the amount of water the source diesel fuel contained at the pump. This varies from 30 ppm to as high as 150 ppm depending on crude source, refining method, area of country, weather conditions and storage and handling procedures.

As example, my BP Diesel Supreme regularly tests at 20 to 30 ppm water. My 1,000 gallon storage tank has a 2 micron desiccant breather which removes moisture from the air entering the tank thus providing very dry air in the space above the diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is hygroscopic and if the air above the fuel tank level is laden with moisture, the moisture will be drawn into the diesel fuel. If the air is extremely dry, conversely, the water will move into the air from the diesel and entrained water level in the fuel will reduce over time. This is one of the few cases where entrained water level can be reduced.

George Morrison

[ 02-14-2004, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: george morrison ]

[jbplock]

George,
Thanks for the excellent explanation!

[jbplock]

The latest Mega Filter Test Results have been added to the fuel test results tables.

ISO 13/11/8 (2um/5um/15um) Excellent!

Fuel Test Results – PDF
Fuel Test Results – Excel

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[Kennedy]

One thing that should be noted is that both Brandon and myself fuel at SMALL hole in the wall depots. Apparently both of our suppliers do a good job of housekeeping.

Fueling at truck stops is commonly perceived as the best solution, and I'm not saying it is a BAD solution, but IMHO, it only assured that fuel is not stale and turned over regularly.

It should also be noted to those in the quest to use the big rig nozzles, that MOST big nozzled pumps have no filter, and many gut the filters to imcrease throughput. The smaller car pumps typically have filters on and draw from the same tanks...

[jbplock]

FYI ... New Location for Fuel Test Results Data

http://home.stny.rr.com/jbplock/ISO/OC_Dmax.pdf