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Q: Why are there so many filter options?
A: The wide variety of filter options exists to address several key variables: contaminant type (particulate, water and fuel that has undergone phase separation), contaminant size, fuel type, compatibility with the dispenser’s mounting hardware and maximum flow rate.
All fuel dispenser filters capture particulate. Others also restrict fuel flow when detecting water, phase-separated fuel, or both.
Q: What is a micron?
A: A micron is a unit of measurement. Every filter has a micron rating indicating the size of contaminants it will capture. Typical micron ratings for fuel dispenser filters are 2 microns, 5 microns, 10 microns and 30 microns.
Q: What is the significance of a filter’s flow rate?
A: Filters are a significant point of flow resistance in a fueling system. Commercial and high-flow filters are larger than typical retail dispenser filters to accommodate higher fuel volumes without causing excessive pressure drops that would force the dispenser to work harder to overcome the resistance. Therefore, the filter must be rated to handle specific flow rates to ensure both fueling efficiency and effective contaminant removal.
Q: Should ethanol-compatible filters be used for unleaded products?
A: There are three considerations for filtering ethanol blends:
How much ethanol is contained in the fuel
The materials used to construct the filter
What kind of protection you want the filter to provide
Standard retail fuel dispenser filters are typically compatible with ethanol blends containing up to 15% ethanol (some brands offer filters compatible with blends up to 25% ethanol). Special filters with more robust components are available to withstand the corrosive properties of E85.
Beyond corrosion resistance, operators should also consider that ethanol blends are susceptible to phase separation. When phase separation occurs, the fuel produces an ethanol-water mixture that damages engines. Filters that detect phase separation help alert operators to take action to avoid engine damage.
Q: What brands of filters does Source North America supply?
A: Source offers Cim-Tek, Donaldson and PetroClear filters for standard applications, as well as Facet, General Filters, Goldenrod, Parker Racor and Parker Velcon filters for commercial applications. To order filters, contact your local Source representative or visit shop.sourcena.com.
