Abstract
Filtration performance of an automotive fuel filter was evaluated based on the theory of Beta ratio. This study also introduced the fuel components' contamination performance test stand incorporating the multi-pass filtration test circuit. The theoretical basis of multi-pass test and test procedure were described in detail. The specification of commercial fuel filter currently available was just the maximum pressure drop across the filter assembly and the holding capacity of contaminants. However, test results revealed that the fuel filter tested could not maintain consistent Beta ratio, that is filtration efficiency, although it had the holding capacity close to the specification. Hence the Beta ratio should be specified in service life. The results also showed that filtration system model should be refined including desorption ratio to estimate the variable Beta ratio in the test.
