Fuel filtration trolleys improve operating efficiency

Portable fuel filtration trolleys, developed and manufactured by the Racor Division of Parker Hannifin, are being used by a number of leading Italian bus operators to extend the life of diesel engine filtration systems and reduce overall operating costs.

Supplied by Parker's Italian distributor, Bizeta Industriale Srl, the portable filtration trolleys are being used as part of regular maintenance schedules and can be connected either directly to specially adapted take-off points on bus fuel systems, or on fuel storage tanks. In each case they are said to be easy to setup and use in just minutes.

As Bizeta's Roberto Vassallo explains, "This is important, as our customers need to keep their vehicles in service for as long as possible; maintenance effectively takes vehicles off the road and potentially reduces their operating revenues. Any time savings we can give them during routine maintenance are obviously helpful. Perhaps more importantly, the filter trolleys mean that maintenance and replacement intervals on the engine filtration units can actually be extended, so there is a real cost saving in terms of both replacement parts and vehicle downtime".

Compact yet efficient

The latest Parker fuel filtration trolleys are compact, self-contained units, just 1m high and weighing around 30kg, and are mounted on robust chassis. Each unit incorporates high-performance duplex 10-micron Racor turbine filter elements, with an integrated motor and pump capable of processing flow rates of up to 40l/minute. The units simply require connection to the engine fuel system via conventional fuel hoses and to a single-phase electrical outlet.

Fuel is automatically circulated through both filter units, which effectively remove moisture and particulate contamination, with clear inspection bowls providing a visual indication of fuel cleanliness. Change parts are easy to check and access, while a drip tray on the base catches any spilt fuel.

Vassallo concludes: "Fuel contamination, caused by the formation of condensation in tanks and pipes, by particles of corrosion, or debris that enters the fuel system during refuelling or from storage tanks, can be a major problem for many of our customers. The fuel filtration trolleys provide a simple and efficient method to resolve this problem. For example, our major bus operating customer has over 100 trolleys throughout its depots in Italy and uses them daily as part of an integrated preventative maintenance programme to improve business efficiencies.