Enhancing Diesel Engine Performance with AirDog® Fuel Filtration Systems

Diesel engines are the backbone of the transportation industry and the primary choice for most industrial applications because of their durability, efficiency, and performance. Wherever diesel engines are used, whether it be in marine applications, construction, mining, or any other demanding environment, they can be depended on to get the job done. But to get the best performance from diesel engines, high-quality fuel filtration is a necessity.

Even the highest-quality diesel fuel can take on contaminants as it travels from the refinery to the fuel tank. And the best-maintained fuel systems are still prone to air and vapor introduction. A top-performing diesel fuel filtration system will remove contaminants, air, and vapor to protect fuel system components and ensure optimal engine performance.

When you consider enhancing diesel performance, choosing the right fuel filtration system is of paramount importance. The AirDog® fuel system is designed to exact specifications to remove everything from diesel fuel that shouldn’t be there and to deliver the perfect amount of fuel at the ideal pressure to the fuel injectors. The result is a fuel system operating at its best and the engine performance that goes along with it.

Understanding the Need for Superior Fuel Filtration

Fuel filters have been a part of diesel engines likely since the first one was fired up. Fuel needs to be filtered to keep contaminants out of the fuel injectors and the engine. But today’s diesel engines are vastly superior to the engines of the past. They produce more power, use less fuel, and generate fewer emissions. But to achieve this improved performance required engineers to refine engine designs, which resulted in higher tolerances and more fine-tuned machines. Modern engines are more sensitive to contamination, making superior fuel filtration all the more important.

Failure to properly filter diesel fuel can lead to a variety of problems, some frustrating, some significant, and potentially costly to repair. These can include:

• Contaminated fuel
• Clogged fuel injectors
• Fuel pump damage
• Decreased performance
• Hard starts
• Partially burned fuel
• Excess emissions
• Increased wear and tear on the engine

There are both short-term and long-term problems that come with poor fuel filtration in diesel engines. In the short term, you will probably see performance issues. In the long term, you will eventually be faced with increased maintenance costs and reduced engine life. Fortunately, many of these issues can be avoided with the right fuel filtration system.

Overview of AirDog® Universal Fuel Filtration Systems

AirDog® universal fuel filtration systems offer a cost-effective, reliable way to protect your engine from dirty diesel fuel. AirDog® achieves exceptional results by using a fairly simple, straightforward process. This includes:

• Removing water. The first stage of the AirDog® system passes fuel through a water separator. The water separator removes water from the fuel as well as any large particulates.
• Removing air. The second stage of the system uses AirDog®’s patented AirDog® Fuel Preporator, which removes air from the fuel. A surprising amount of air can enter the fuel from the fuel tank and as it passes onward through fuel lines.
• Deliver fuel to fuel injectors. The final stage of the process delivers pressurized fuel to the fuel injectors. AirDog® systems include a pump to ensure the fuel arrives at a regulated positive pressure.

Ordinary fuel filtration systems use the fuel pump to pull fuel through a primary filter, but such fuel pumps are inefficient under suction. The introduction of air is almost inevitable with the old systems. But with AirDog®’s additional fuel pump, the fuel remains at a constant pressure to remove air and keep it out.

Industries That Benefit from Enhanced Fuel Filtration

Both consumer and commercial diesel engines can benefit from the advantages offered by AirDog® filtration systems. Some of the industries that can see significant benefits include:

Marine Applications

Since 2014, diesel fuel for marine applications has utilized ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD), like commercial trucks have been using since 2007. This fuel helps reduce air pollution significantly, which is why it was phased in for marine applications in recent years. However, the removal of sulfur also removes some of the lubricity of the fuels, which makes it increasingly important to filter the fuel as well as you can.

AirDog® marine diesel filtration systems are great for marine applications because they keep the fuel as clean as possible. This ensures particulates are minimized and the wear and tear they cause on engines are minimized as well.

Agricultural Applications

In agricultural applications, such as with tractors and combines, horsepower and torque need to be maximized. AirDog® agricultural diesel solutions help improve pulling power through the RPM range, a benefit that tractor users greatly benefit from. AirDog® also keeps maintenance costs down by prolonging injector and engine life, which can make a big difference for agricultural users on a budget.

Off-Road and Construction

Off-road diesel equipment and construction equipment used in commercial applications must use ULSD by law. As with marine applications, the improvement in environmental impact does come at a cost of lubricity, which can be hard on these expensive engines. To reduce wear and tear in construction applications, it’s important to filter diesel fuel as thoroughly as possible—which is where AirDog® construction equipment fuel filtration comes in. It keeps fuel clean and contaminants out of your heavy-duty engines.

Mining Equipment

Few environments are “dirtier” than mining operations. Even a rigorous cleaning schedule and maintenance protocols can’t eliminate all of that dust and debris that covers equipment and slowly makes its way inside. The benefits of the AirDog® mining diesel filtration are significant in mining operations, as AirDog®removes impurities, air, and vapor from the fuel before it enters the engine—no matter where it came from.

Choosing the Right AirDog® System for Your Needs

For such an effective filtration system, AirDog® is remarkably easy to use. The AirDog® universal fuel filtration system can fit the vast majority of common diesel engines used in all of the industries discussed here. If you have a heavy-duty diesel engine, chances are you can find an AirDog® fuel filtration system that will fit it.

All AirDog® systems offer the same benefits for your engine, including:

• Improved Fuel Economy
• Smoother Engine Idle and Quieter Running Engine
• Extended Injector Life
• Restored Horsepower and Torque
• Improved Throttle Response
• Stronger Pulling Power Throughout the RPM Range
• Reduced Emissions
• Reduce the need for diesel engine maintenance

Conclusion

Diesel engines can be used to accomplish impressive feats in so many different industries, including marine, agriculture, construction, and mining. But whatever application the engine is being used for, the need for clean, contaminant-free fuel remains paramount. The engine needs clean fuel to run properly and requires it to operate efficiently for the long haul. Fortunately, ensuring clean fuel is relatively easy with the AirDog® fuel filtration system.

A high-quality fuel filtration system like AirDog® is an investment in the performance and longevity of your engine. For a relatively small upfront cost, you can take full control of the cleanliness of your fuel, removing contaminants, air, water, and vapor, all with one simple system. The investment will pay dividends, helping to prevent the need for excess maintenance and enhancing diesel performance.

If you have questions about AirDog® for your diesel engine, please call us and we will be happy to discuss specifics. Our experts can help you determine if our system is the right fit for your needs.