The problem in running the MiniMonitor® (a.k.a. “Millipore” TM Millipore Corp.) membrane test for particulate/dirt detection in Jet Fuel is the bucket. Many years ago, the ASTM reduced the problem by changing the sample volume from 3 gallons to just 1, but the hassle of having to deal with buckets of fuel remained – UNTIL NOW.

The Closed Loop MiniMonitor® eliminates the bucket. It reduces spills, waste and personnel exposure by keeping the fuel completely inside the fuel system itself. All the test fuel is recoverable. On a hydrant cart, it can be directed to a recovery tank and on a truck or in a fuel tank system, it can be directed back to storage.

Trays and testers sold separately, mount one tray on each truck and at the fuel farm, buy just one (or two if needed) Closed Loop MiniMonitor®.

Simply put the Plastic Monitor into the Closed Loop MiniMonitor® and then:

In addition to the obvious savings over disposing of test fuel and preventing spills, this approach allows you to run tests so quickly and easily that the results have much more meaning that tests run minutes or even hours apart, in which you have to handle buckets of fuel.

QUALITY – Made in America, all 300 series S/S except the meter body (Brass body, Aluminum internal working parts) and monitor holder (Aluminum). The highest quality components available are used.

The simplest form of static cable reel is the manual rewind design. This simple reel incorporates all the features you want – and need. Can be mounted on a horizontal or vertical surface.

As described in ASTM Method D5452, the support stand is designed to hold the container that was used to collect the jet fuel sample in the field. There is no need to transfer the sample from the collection container to another container, thereby eliminating possible contamination from the second container.

Using a flexible dispensing tube assembly that fits the thread of the port in the top of the sample container, the operator closes the tube with the clip to prevent the release of fuel when the container is being turned upside-down to place it on the support stand upper shelf. The tube is then positioned in the filter tunnel before releasing it. This allows fuel to fill the funnel but it will not overflow because air must return to the container through the same tube. The filter funnel remains full in the same way that a bird feeder operates because the lower end of the tube is below the fuel surface in the funnel.

Vacuum in the collection flask draws fuel through the membrane filter desk that is positioned at the base of the filter funnel. Hands-free operation is assured. The operator is no longer required to hold the container as fuel is poured into the filter funnel. The potential for spillage is virtually eliminated.

This type of 1-liter dispenser is specified in various ASTM test methods such as D-2276 and D-5452 which are used to determine the weight of contaminants that are in fuel samples.

One dispenser is recommended for isopropyl alcohol to flush particles off of laboratory apparatus before it is used to insure that those particles are not included as contamination in the fuel sample.

A second dispenser is used for petroleum spirit (either) to flush residual particles out of the sample container and off of the funnel that was used to deliver the fuel sample from its container onto the filter membrane after the container contents have been passed through it.

Both dispensers are equipped with filter housings to remove particles from the isopropyl alcohol and from the petroleum spirit. A packet containing 10 of 0.4533 membranes (25 mm diameter) are included with each dispenser. Replacement membranes are available in a packet of ten (order GTP-9582).

The squeeze bulb develops pressure in the 1 liter flask, forcing fluid into the tubing and through the filter membrane. Gammon Technical Products manufactures the aluminum filter housing and membrane support using reagent resistant materials.

Many filter systems operate under the threat of a sudden influx of contamination that plugs the filter elements. Recently, water-absorbing elements have added to this concern. If no one is watching the differential pressure gauge at the time, you can burst the elements, with the dirt and debris going downstream and possibly into the aircraft. We designed the Gammon DP-Pilot so you can forget about element bursting or deck plate damage with any type of element, even the water absorbing elements.

In 1995, we wrote GamGram 44 showing that high differential pressure concerns could be erased by a unique mounting of a rate of flow control pilot valve. The solution is simple and elegant. The pilot senses the pressure drop on a vessel and, if that pressure drop exceeds a set limit, the pilot takes over, lowering the flow rate. Because pressure drop decreases as flow rate decreases, the elements can never burst.

We have now designed an all stainless steel pilot specifically for this purpose, and we are proud to offer the Gammon DP-Pilot. The DP-Pilot field test was performed at a US Air Force facility in early 1998. Their primary concern was that water-absorbing elements could rupture or the deck plate in the vessel could deform or tear. As a result of that test, this pilot was designated as required equipment on all US Air Force refueler vehicles.

We ran the test starting at full flow rate. The DP-Pilot had no detrimental effect on the system. We then added water to plug the water-absorbing elements in this truck’s filter vessel. As the differential pressure increased, nothing happened until it reached 20 psid (differential), our set point (this is adjustable). At 20 psid, the DP-Pilot took over, slightly lowering the flow rate. This kept the differential pressure from exceeding the set point. As we added more and more water, the pilot dutifully closed the main control valve more and more, lowering the flow rate and maintaining the 20 psid pressure drop. At the end of the test, the meter was barely moving, less than 1 gpm, yet the pressure drop never exceeded 20 psid!

Will it work with prefilters and filter separators?
Yes. Any filter vessel in a system that has an in-line control or slug valve if it has a pilot circuit can accept a DP-Pilot. You can even add two DP-Pilots to a slug valve downstream of a prefilter and filter separator combination. One pilot protects the prefilter and the other protects the filter separator.

What pressure drop ranges are available?
Our standard set point is 20 psid. On the basic model, this is adjustable from 15 to 35 psid. Other springs are available for ranges from 1 to 50 psid.

What is the maximum working pressure?
We recommend the maximum working pressure of this pilot to be 450 psi. There is no minimum pressure, minimum flow rate, or maximum flow rate. The maximum temperature is 250°F.

What brands is it compatible with?
The Gammon DP-Pilot works with Cla-Val, Whittaker, Brooks, Oil Capitol, Smith, Haar, Avery Hardoll, or any other brand of piston or diaphragm in-line control valve if it has a pilot flow circuit.

How is it installed?
Call us with your valve make and model number for an installation schematic.

When drawing a visual sample of fuel from the filter separator sump, you learn immediately whether or not there was any water in the fuel supply. If the fuel is hazy, the filter separator is not functioning properly. If it is clear and bright but liquid water is found in the closed circuit sampler, you can reason that the filter separator is coalescing the water, but you surely will want to check the source of the supply. Dirt particles indicate that the coalescers are not filtering properly.

Installation

In most sampler installations, the sample is taken directly from the flow stream after the filter separator or monitor. A light located behind the sampler is very useful at night. The condition of the fuel just before it enters the aircraft provides the operator with immediate information. Alternatively, some operations may prefer to check a sample of fuel from the filter separator sump to learn immediately if any water or particulate contamination was in the fuel supply.

Fuel enters the sampler tangentially at the bottom, creating a clockwise swirl to force particles and water to the center of the coned-down, white epoxy chamber bottom. Any contaminants are then easily seen. After inspection or testing, simply open the outlet valve to release the contents to the dump or slop tank.but the range has been reduced so they will fit in the Aljac sampler.

Hydrometers and Thermometers for Closed Circuit Samplers

Standard length ASTM hydrometers and thermometers are too long to fit the holders if it is desire to leave these instruments in place with the lid closed. For customers who want to leave them in place, we offer special short models as follows.

These hydrometers have shorter scales than are required for standard ASTM models. For example, in the metric models, the graduations are 2.14 mm apart for 1 kg instead of 2.59 mm for standard hydrometers. These thermometers have the same graduation spacings as for standard ASTM thermometers such as 12°C and 12°F but the range has been reduced so they will fit in the Aljac sampler.

See Bulletin 61 for product information.

In presenting all 33 colors and the 9 particle photographs on one 8.5×11” chart, our model SGTP-3940 provides convenience that has never before been achieved. Particle assessment is a requirement in section 2-17 of ATA-103, along with color rating. Particle rating is also specified in Section FO-6 of the United Airlines “Fuel Operations Manual.”

The color rating presenting is unique in that oblong windows of adjacent colors are provided so that the technician can more easily compare shades and colors. The filter membrane is placed under the chart, allowing the operator to see four different colors at one time for comparison.

The official ASTM color rating booklet, model GTP-1074-1, which we also produce, was designed so that it could be kept closed to protect the colors from soiling and contamination. This new chart is not provided with such a means of protection so it must be kept in a notebook. Standard 3-ring punchings are provided. For more information on the color rating book, see Bulletin 80.