MANN+HUMMEL Boosts Water Separation in Diesel Engines

PORTAGE, Mich., May 17, 2005 -- MANN+HUMMEL, development partner and original equipment supplier to the international automotive industry, has designed a new concept for more efficient fuel pre-filters to remove contaminating water in diesel engines.

Through a two-stage concept with an innovative hydrophilic (water- attracting) filter media, it has been possible to increase water separation by more than 50% within the same installation space and with the same service life.

MANN+HUMMEL exhibited the prototype at the Seventh International Filtration Conference (IFC) in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier this month. This new two-stage filter will be used initially in commercial vehicles, and in passenger cars at a later date. Series production of the new filter will begin in the first quarter of 2006.

Because modern diesel engine injection systems demand increasingly efficient fuel filtration and water separation, two-stage filtration concepts with an integrated pre-filter in addition to the main filter are becoming more important. Consistent, very efficient removal of contaminating water from diesel fuel is essential in order to protect the engine.

MANN+HUMMEL's PreLine(R) pre-filter system for commercial vehicles increases filtration performance, extends the service life of the main filter and protects the pre-feed pump. This enhanced new filter media provides even more efficient water separation.

In the first stage, the many small droplets of water emulsified in the fuel are made larger (coalescence). In the second stage, these drops of water are then separated from the diesel fuel through the hydrophobic (water repellent) surface of the new, specially developed filter media. MANN+HUMMEL also developed a special optical technique on test rigs to precisely measure and confirm that the water droplets were separated more effectively by the new filter media.

The MANN+HUMMEL Group is an international company. In 2004, the company achieved sales of $1.6 billion. The MANN+HUMMEL Group currently employs around 9,100 people at 41 locations worldwide. The company develops, produces and sells technically complex automotive components such as air filter systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems and cabin filters for the automotive industry, and filter elements for vehicle servicing and repair. For general engineering, process engineering and industrial manufacturing sectors the company's product range includes industrial filters, filter systems and materials-handling systems and equipment. MANN+HUMMEL's customers come from a large number of sectors, with series production for the automotive industry occupying a key position. Further information about MANN+HUMMEL can be found at http://www.mann-hummel.com/ .