See full version: What Is a Fuel Water Separator
Diesel fuel water separators collect filtered water which can later be drained from the engine during routine vehicle maintenance. Most separators have a sensor which lets you know when the water level is getting high. You simply remove the fuel tank drain plug attached to the separator which lets the collected water and dirt flow away. It is best to drain the separator often. If it gets too full it will not work well. [links]
A fuel water separator is a device that works to ensure clean fuel is delivered to the engine. Fuel separators provide effective protection for engines used in automotive, industrial, and marine applications. The separator removes water and solid contaminants from the fuel before it reaches the fuel pump. When the fuel contains a lot of water, it wears off the lubricants from the fuel injectors. By removing contaminants, the device prevents the engine from getting clogged up with solid material. Clean fuel enables the engine to run more efficiently. It also prevents engine failure. Diesel and marine fuel separators are amongst the most common types.
These are mostly made of aluminum. Diesel fuel separators are available in various sizes depending on the vehicle type. However, smaller separators need to be drained more often. Diesel fuel usually contains a higher amount of water than gasoline or other fuels. If unfiltered, this water together with dirt detracts from engine efficiency. It also makes driving a more laborious exercise. Unfiltered fuel also contributes to increased engine wear and tear. more
Plastic or aluminum is the preferred material for marine fuel water separators. These draw out water from the boat fuel which prevents water from getting into the motor. The presence of water in the motor can cause a steam explosion. This would easily damage the boat cylinders including the entire motor. The separator can be part of a primary filter or may be installed as a secondary filter. Separators drain off water in either of two ways. When the separator is part of a primary filter, water may be siphoned off by the filter. The motor gets rid of the waste water along with contaminants through this method.
When the separator is installed as a secondary filter, a siphoning mechanism is used to expel the waste water and contaminants. Water and fuel are pumped into a filter and subjected to a rapid spinning motion. The water and unwanted contaminants sink to the bottom while the fuel remains on top. This is siphoned to the fuel line. The wastewater is eventually drained off as the need arises. Some marine fuel water separators are designed to clean the exhaust system of the boat motor as they drain. These function in collaboration with the exhaust system to clean it along with the fuel. It is best to replace a marine fuel water separator every year. here
What experience does anyone here have with this? Will I be able to just replace the filter without the hassle of filling it with gas beforehand?
As part of the boat prep for the new season I will be replacing the 10 micron fuel/water separator (Yamaha blue canister). Do I need to fill the new one with gas before I put it on? My internet research on this is mixed -- some say to do it, while others say the normal course of starting/running the engine will fill it up and everything will be fine. I ordered the filter online and it hasn't come in yet, so I don't know if there are any instructions on there that state either way of doing it.
2014 24SLX3, Crimson Red with SPS, Yamaha F200, Reliance 14 1/4 x 17, power assist, extended bow, double bimini, Echo 50S GPS, privacy enclosure, etc. Operate on Potomac River in northern Virginia.
Maintenance Practices
The ability of oil water separators to function properly depends upon the timely performance of required service and maintenance. Oil/water separators must be monitored and maintained by competent personnel who understand how the systems operate. Oil/water separators should be given the same close attention given to any other important piece of equipment. The operators, users, and maintainers of the oil/water separator must clarify who will be responsible for monitoring, inspecting, maintaining, and servicing the system. Frequent inspections should be made of the system and all associated piping, valves, etc. to prevent operational and mechanical failures or inefficiencies. Sludge and oil need to be periodically removed from the oil/water separator to keep it operating properly. Additionally, leaks from oil/water separators can result in environmental pollution, which can trigger costly investigative studies and cleanups. Rigorous implementation of an OWS inspection and maintenance plan can prevent discharges from the oil/water separator that may contaminate the environment.
b. An example of a manufacturer misrepresenting equipment performance capabilities was found at an installation in the Southwest. The installation wrote a contract for the purchase of 60 pre-fabricated separators with coalescing plate packs for treating vehicle wash water. The specifications of the contract stated that the separators should be designed to treat a waste stream of 100 gpm. The separators were purchased and installed. However, they only performed at the rated capacity for approximately 1 minute, after which the separator could not treat the 100 gpm flow rate and became overloaded. Oil began passing through the separator, creating a continual discharge to the environment that violated the installation's NPDES permit. The installation currently continues to use the separators (with regulator approval), and cleaning up the discharged oil. This is an interim measure until the installation's Central Vehicle Wash Facility (CVWF) is complete. Once finished, 54 of the washracks PWTB No. 200-1-05 5 December 1997 A-12 will be closed and the separators will be removed. The six that remain will be replaced with new separators that the installation designed. These will discharge to the CVWF.
Below is a reprint from section 5 of "Public Works Technical Bulletin 200-1-05". The entire bulletin should be reviewed by anyone considering the purchase of an oil water separator or separation system.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In 5-d above it states that API-421 does not generate data in regard to oil droplet size distribution, and this is correct. In the HydroFlo"Test for Determination of Susceptibility of Separation of Oil From Water in a Gravity Type Oil Water Separator" we have expanded on the API bench test to give you a reasonable procedure for calculating the removal efficiency required to meet your target effluent quality.
Oil water separators are typically considered very simple devices. However, several factors that could potentially affect safety, efficiency, and proper management must be given careful consideration prior to the installation or modification of any oil water separator or separation system: [links]
Suitability of Oil Water Separation System to Process
An oil/water separator designed and installed to meet a past process requirement may no longer be suitable when process requirements change, and/or the original maintenance plan is no longer followed. An oil/water separator that is put to a use for which it was not originally designed may be damaged or may not function properly, and could become an environmental liability. For example, an oil/water separator designed to receive the wastewater discharge from a small engine wash rack will not be able to properly treat larger wastewater volumes from washing the exterior of locomotives. Process changes can also result in changes to the physical/chemical makeup of the wastewater being treated by an oil/water separator. Finally, process changes may also necessitate the modification of storm water and wastewater drainage systems. Such systems should remain separate from each other because excessive drainage of storm water to an oil/water separator could significantly impair its operation and efficiency.
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