Hello All
I have access to a lot of diesel that has water contamination from the recent flooding in the region. I am looking at building a rig to filter the water and any particulates out. I want to use Cat filter elements as they have the best reputation. Cat have three levels of water filters, Standard Efficiency, Advanced High Efficiency and Ultra High Efficiency. The problem is I can't find the specs for anything other than the standard which is 100% free water and 90% emulsified water removal. Parts.cat.com listed the same specs for one Ultra High Efficiency filter but I think that may be an error.
I am looking at the 441-5108 separator unit as it has a clear bowl to see the water level but I am not sure of the maximum flow rate.
Has anyone else set up something like this using Cat parts?
Once I work out the filter unit I can use then I can size a suitable pumping system even if its just an electric priming pump. I know other manufacturers make water separator units that are designed for fuel storage tanks on a stand and the fuel is gravity fed through the filter.
Another option is to use a water separator element from a D8 or something of that size and a housing to suit. According  to Cat's filter info the larger machines use a cartridge style filter instead of a spin-on canister but finding a housing may be difficult.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Last time I purchased diesel the price was $1.95 a liter or about $7.39 per US gallon.

Regards

Phil

I'd say just put it in the tank and let settle for a few days, this will get the bulk of the water out once you drain the bottom.
The rest you can filter through filters above as you have proposed.

Even after separating what water can be easily removed it is a good idea to mix a water removal compound with the fuel. These compounds mix with the slight amount of water "dissolved" in the fuel. There are test kits available to see if there is a trace amount of water left in the fuel. Last but not least, use an additive that will prevent algae forming because of the water. The algae could end up being your biggest problem as it can not only be in the bulk fuel tank but in the fuel tank and fuel lines of the equipment.
You are on the right track to use good fuel filters but I highly recommend you test to see if water is still in the fuel and add a compound to completely eliminate the water. Beware of algae forming.

Hope it works out as fuel prices are even ridiculous in the states also but not quite that high.

the best way to clean the fuel is centrifuge it. followed by fine filtration. yes you can use coalescing filters but you will be changing them regularly and the cost will be high. depending on volume of fuel and if you have other uses for it centrifuge is the way to go.

nearly all ships use centrifuges as they are ever reliable and give good performance with very low cost. they can also clean multiple liquids from fuel to oils and even bilge water.

the cheapest water separating filters are the delphi(lucas/cav) 796 filter water traps the elements are around 8 bucks last time i bought one. the whole filter unit is around $50 bucks with the glass bowl metal bowls are available and so are poly carbonate.

as another has suggested you can let it settle out angle the tank so it settles to one end.

most good fuel conditioners and injector cleaners have additives to disperse moisture but are only designed to handle the trace amounts in already filtered fuel.

D4Jim, do you have a recommendation for the testing kit that you mentioned? I also have read about THIEVING PASTE which was used to sound tanks on large vessels. It was wiped onto a stick or rod and when dipped into the tank, the water (if any) at the bottom would change the color and show how much water there was. I have asked about thieving paste in auto parts stores and nobody had any idea. In the yachting world there are services that come to your boat and "Polish" your fuel. It is pretty common and might be available in other than boating areas. I think this is going to be an important thread. Grant.

GrantJ wrote:

D4Jim, do you have a recommendation for the testing kit that you mentioned? I also have read about THIEVING PASTE which was used to sound tanks on large vessels. It was wiped onto a stick or rod and when dipped into the tank, the water (if any) at the bottom would change the color and show how much water there was. I have asked about thieving paste in auto parts stores and nobody had any idea. In the yachting world there are services that come to your boat and "Polish" your fuel. It is pretty common and might be available in other than boating areas. I think this is going to be an important thread. Grant.

I know that Shaeffers does the fuel testing and polishing.

 

I'm not at the farm right now so this is by memory. The paste is called Gasolia or something like that and is a a water seeking paste and changes from yellow to red when in contact with water. Water at the bottom of the tank will turn it bright red. For water "dissolved" in the fuel I checked it with a test kit for determining if gasoline has any ethanol in it (pony fuel). Can't remember the name of the kit but cost about $70 and I use it on the diesel also as it actually checks for any water content. That being said I add Power Service, and there are many others available, to my fuel as it also adds lubricity that was taken out years back when they deleted the Sulfur. I would absolutely use an additive if I found any water in the fuel to prevent algae growth. My neighbor had problems with it and it was a mess to get cleaned up as he had to remove the fuel tanks for thorough cleaning. Like the fuel caps say "use clean fuel and keep it clean".

Thanks Jim. I did a search and the company is GASOLIA. They make gas proof sealers etc. They also make "Gasolia-WT25, Regular Water Finding Paste". It is a 2.5 oz tube from Amazon Prime. I will get the BOSS to order me a couple of tubes. She has Prime, so there is no shipping. This solves a question that I have wondered about for a long time.

Grant.