Engine Fuel System of Volvo Penta

Engine Fuel System of Volvo Penta

Fuel System

General

A diesel engine requires that fuel injection components be supplied with clean fuel at the right temperature and pressure, and which is free from air and water.

Diesel Fuel Quality and Function

General

Diesel fuel quality is crucial for engine function, service life and emissions.

Volvo Penta's views concerning diesel fuel quality can be found in Sales Support Tool, Partner Network.

Additives

Volvo Penta's view concerning additives and alternative fuels can be found in Service Bulletin SB 18–8.8 Volvo Penta approves of a certain admixture of biodiesel (FAME), which places high demands on pipes, hoses and gaskets. For example, methyl esters in FAME are aggressive toward rubber products. Generally speaking, this aggressive effect increases with an increased admixture of FAME in diesel. As an example, soy-based methyl ester (SME) is more aggressive than rapeseedbased methyl ester (RME). Volvo Penta does not

approve of additives that are mixed directly in the fuel tank, with the exception of kerosene.

Fuel Filters

Modern Volvo diesel engines with electronically controlled fuel injection require extremely clean fuel. Not even the smallest foreign particle or water droplet may be present. All industrial engines are equipped with enginemounted fuel filters as standard. There is a water separator in the filter, often with a sensor that warns of water in the fuel. For filter categories, refer to technical data in the Sales Support Tool, Partner Network.

Water separating primary filters are engine-mounted on D9, D11, D13 and D16 engines as standard. The filters 4, 5 and 6 have replaceable filter cartridges and water-in-fuel alarms. On D9 and D16 engines, water can be drained through the valve in the bottom of the water separator. Filter category 30 microns. There is a water separating pre-filter without a waterin- fuel alarm available as an accessory for engines in the series with mechanical injection pumps. Filter category 30 microns (figure 7).

Modern common rail engines

Some common rail engines uses this filter. For filter categories, refer to technical data in the Sales Support Tool, Partner Network.

Fuel Cooler

If the fuel temperature exceeds the maximum applicable temperatures specified in technical data, a suitablydesigned fuel cooler must be installed on the engine return line. This is to avoid unnecessary fuel tank heating and an increased pressure drop on the suction side. Heat can only be conducted away from fuel satisfactorily and in controlled circumstances by using a suitably- designed fuel cooler. Such fuel coolers should preferably be built into the engine cooling system (air side) and be fed with return fuel. Recommended maximum flow resistance on the fuel side of the fuel cooler is <0.15 bar at a fuel flow of 7-10 l/min.

Fuel Hand Pump

TAD520 – TAD760

We recommend the installation and use of a manual fuel pump. Manual fuel pumps must always be installed if tank average fuel level is below the fuel pump. The manual fuel pump should always be installed in an easily accessible place between the tank and the fuel filter inlet. The fuel pump must always be installed upright (refer to illustration) so that fuel is fed from below.

Fuel Tanks

Fuel Tank Design

Preferably, the fuel tank should be manufactured in HDPE polyethylene, stainless steel or sheet steel, and may not be painted or galvanized internally. Copper sheet, galvanized or hot-dip zinc sheet metal and aluminum are not suitable as fuel tanks for today's diesel standard with admixtures of FAMA type biodiesel. Sheet metal tanks must be welded, and on mobile installations they must be fitted with baffles to prevent fuel sloshing around in the tank. The baffles also act as supports. See adjacent illustration.