Why must jet fuel be treated?

Jet fuel (kerosene) has always been carefully treated at all stages of production and distribution to prevent the introduction of solid particules (iron oxide, silica limestone, etc.) and free water.
The presence of water in the jet fuel, at low temperatures and altitude, leads to the formation of ice crystals. These crystals damage the auxiliary mechanisms of the turbo-motor. They can also block filters and are a danger on aircraft and helicopters not equipped with a fuel heater.

CONTROL OF THE WATER SEPARATION PROCESS ON Jet fuel

The water separation process is allowed by a water separation filter which divides two immiscible phases of different densities, while retaining the contaminant particles at the same time.

The separation process proposed by RELLUMIX is realized in three stages :

FILTRATION : Whenever this stage does not participate to coalescence, it prevents a fast blockage of the coalescing layer.

COALESCENCE : It is the action by which fine free water droplets gather to form larger water drops able to fall into the treated fuel due to difference of densities.

SEPARATION : The separator element is composed of a permeable hydrophobic membrane which retains the water droplets being carried along by the downstream flow of the coalescent stage.

WATER SEPARATOR FILTER

Approved by the French Army Fuel Department according to the DCSEA 5104 A French Standard
(equivalent to US standard MIL F 8901 E ).
Performances are:

For Jet fuel:
Water separation: 5 ppm
Filtration grade: 1 micron.

For Gazole:
Water separation: 15 and 50 ppm
Filtration grade: 5 and 20 microns

For Solvents:
Water separation: 15 ppm
Filtration grade: 1 and 5 microns

For Oil:
Water separation: 150 ppm
Filtration grade: 5 and 20 microns