Fuel analysis kit can reduce total cost of ownership for mines

Filtration designer and manufacturer Cummins Filtration’s new Fleetguard portable fuel cleanliness analysis kit can reduce mining companies’ total cost of ownership for equipment using modern diesel engines, says Cummins Filtration mining sales manager Tinus Naude.

Clean, uncontaminated fuel is key to optimal fuel system performance and the longevity of engines in the mining industry; without high-quality fuel filtration and regularly scheduled servicing, fuel contamination can lead to costly repairs and engine downtime.

“The fuel systems on these engines are susceptive to the fuel, and therefore, the quality of the fuel is crucial. “The better the fuel quality, the better the engine performance through the fuel system. Component life will also be extended,” Naude tells Mining Weekly.

Cummins Filtration launched the Fleetguard kit earlier this year. The kit can determine fuel quality and identify sources of contamination to prevent engine fuel system problems.

The portable kit allows for the on-site testing of fuel cleanliness – no power source or batteries are required to perform the test – and delivers immediate results. Testing a fuel source on site can prevent dirty fuel from reaching valuable equipment or bulk storage tanks.

The kit includes a hand-operated pump, two fuel cups, a 1 ℓ fuel container, replacement NanoNet media patches and a test result interpretation card.

NanoNet is an advanced filtration media that traps and retains contaminants even under real-world vibration and flow surge. The technology leads to greater protection of fuel injection equipment, which, in turn, leads to extended service intervals of up to 2 000 hours, improved engine efficiency and fuel economy, and reduced downtime and maintenance costs.

Cummins Filtration’s fuel filtration products are manufactured to meet and exceed original-equipment manufacturer standards, Naude says, adding that the company supplies to countries in Africa and the Middle East.

The company plans to become more involved in preventive maintenance practices that will further assist clients in reducing costs, he concludes.