A method developed for calculating the fuel filter pressure drop caused by carbon-containing sediments in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel

Abstract

The paper introduces a theoretical study related to a new method for calculating the fuel filter pressure drop caused by sedimentation in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel (cooler) medium; describes some thermophysical properties of sediments in fuel systems of various heat engines; examines the inventions aimed at preventing the failure of filters and pressure drop in them. As the overview and analysis of scientific and technical literature discovered no methods for calculating the pressure drop on the filters of heat engines and power plants, we developed a new formula for calculating the fuel filter pressure drop caused by sedimentation, taking into account the thermal and electrical nature of carbon-containing sediments. Using this formula, we found a new method for calculating the pressure change, which can be used to calculate the residual life of filter elements, theoretically approbated the new method relying on the results of experimental studies by previous researchers who used aviation kerosene. As a result, we obtained the fuel filter operating time to failure in several operating modes. The method proves to be valid, as it is applicable for calculating the pressure drop in almost all ground, air, and aerospace-based heat engines and power plants under various operating conditions of the fuel system. Furthermore, the method can be used with various materials of the metal walls of filter elements, pumping speeds of hydrocarbon fuel, pressures at the fuel filters inlet, temperature conditions inside the fuel supply, and cooling channels of engines and power plants.