Fuel quality has a direct impact on engine reliability, operational uptime, and maintenance costs. In industrial environments, marine applications, power generation, and fuel storage operations, diesel contamination can lead to blocked filters, injector wear, corrosion, microbial growth, poor combustion, and unexpected engine failure.
The AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System by Filtration Group is a reliable solution for maintaining clean, stable diesel fuel. Available through ILF Solutions, the AFPS series is designed for two-stage diesel fuel care, combining fine particle filtration and water separation in a single robust, stationary system.
For companies searching for an effective diesel fuel polishing system in South Africa, the Filtration Group AFPS offers a technically advanced, automated, and scalable solution for protecting diesel engines, generators, marine engines, and industrial fuel systems.
What Is the AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System?
The AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System is a stationary diesel fuel treatment system designed for continuous fuel cleaning. It is used in off-line (bypass) and main-flow applications, depending on how the fuel system is configured.
The AFPS system targets two of the most damaging contaminants found in diesel fuel:
- Solid particles: Dirt, rust, sediment, and fine particulate matter that can block filters or damage precision engine components.
- Free water: Moisture that leads to tank corrosion, microbial growth (“diesel bug”), diesel fuel degradation, and premature wear of fuel injectors.
The system uses a two-stage process. First, an integrated gear pump delivers the diesel to the particle filtration stage, where fine solid contamination is removed. The fuel then enters the water separation stage, where free water is separated from the diesel using coalescer technology.
This makes the AFPS more than a basic fuel filter. It is a complete diesel fuel care system developed for operations where fuel reliability is critical.
Advanced Fuel Polishing Systems
Protect Your Diesel Investment. Remove Water, Dirt & Contamination Before It Damages Your Equipment.
- ✔ Removes Water
- ✔ Removes Particles down to 3 Micron
- ✔ Fully Automatic
- ✔ Industrial & Mining Applications
- ✔ Generator & Bulk Fuel Storage
How It Works
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Flow Rates | 1 000 - 8 800 L/hr |
| Operating Pressure | 0.5 - 6 Bar |
| Protection | IP54 |
| Control Voltage | 24V AC |
| Water Removal | <70 ppm |
| Operating Temp | 2-45°C |
AFPS Range
| Model | Flow |
|---|---|
| AFPS.1 | 1 000 L/hr |
| AFPS.2 | 2 200 L/hr |
| AFPS.3 | 4 400 L/hr |
| AFPS.4 | 8 800 L/hr |
Applications
Why Fuel Polishing?
Dirty Fuel Causes
- ❌ Injector Failure
- ❌ Pump Damage
- ❌ Blocked Filters
- ❌ Engine Downtime
- ❌ Microbial Growth
AFPS Prevents
- ✔ Water contamination
- ✔ Sludge
- ✔ Rust
- ✔ Dirt
- ✔ Diesel Bug
- ✔ Expensive Repairs
Key Features
Need a Fuel Polishing Solution?
Why Diesel Fuel Polishing Matters
Diesel is often stored for long periods in tanks before it is used. Over time, stored diesel can collect water from condensation, environmental exposure, or poor tank conditions. Solid contamination can also enter through refuelling, tank corrosion, or outdated pipework.
For engines and generators, contaminated diesel can cause serious problems, including:
- Blocked fuel filters and injection system components
- Injector wear and distorted fuel spray patterns
- Fuel pump damage and internal corrosion
- Microbial growth (diesel bug or diesel pest)
- Reduced engine performance and unexpected shutdowns
- Higher maintenance, repair, and component replacement costs
In critical applications such as standby generators, ships, industrial plants, mining operations, and logistics depots, fuel contamination can quickly become a major operational risk. The AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System helps mitigate this risk by continuously maintaining diesel fuel quality before contamination can reach the engine.
A Two-Stage Diesel Fuel Care Solution
The Filtration Group AFPS is designed around a highly efficient two-stage fuel treatment process.
Stage 1: Particle Filtration
The first stage removes solid particles from the diesel. The AFPS uses PS6 particle filter elements to deliver the following multi-pass filtration performance according to ISO 16889 testing:
- β(7µm(c)) ≥ 1000: ≥ 99.9% filtration efficiency for particles ≥ 7 µm(c)
- β(5µm(c)) ≥ 75: ≥ 98.7% filtration efficiency for particles ≥ 5 µm(c)
- β(3µm(c)) ≥ 11: ≥ 90.9% filtration efficiency for particles ≥ 3 µm(c)
This level of fine filtration helps protect fuel injectors, pumps, engine-side filters, and downstream components. The system offers high dirt-holding capacity, ranging from ≤ 1,000 g up to ≤ 8,000 g depending on the AFPS model size.
Stage 2: Water Separation
After particle filtration, the fuel moves into the water separation stage. This is where the system separates free water from the diesel using a coalescer water separator element.
Water in diesel is one of the most common causes of fuel-system failures. The AFPS is designed for a water separation efficiency of ≥ 98% based on ISO 16332 testing, evaluated with 60 µm and 300 µm droplet sizes at an inlet water concentration of 1,500 ppm. This allows the system to reduce water content at the outlet to a clean limit of ≤ 70 ppm of free water.
Technical Specifications of the AFPS Series
The AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System is available in four nominal sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of fuel volumes and application requirements.
Model Sizing & Capacity
| AFPS Model Size | Nominal Flow Rate | Particle Filter Element Config. | Dirt Holding Capacity (ISO 16889) | Water Separator Config. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFPS.1 | 1,000 l/h | 1 × PF.HS (Half Size) | ≤ 1,000 g | 1 × WS.FS (Coalescer) |
| AFPS.2 | 2,200 l/h | 1 × PF.FS (Full Size) | ≤ 2,000 g | 1 × WS.FS (Coalescer) |
| AFPS.3 | 4,400 l/h | 2 × PF.FS (Full Size) | ≤ 4,000 g | 1 × WS.FS (Coalescer) |
| AFPS.4 | 8,800 l/h | 4 × PF.FS (Full Size) | ≤ 8,000 g | 2 × WS.FS (Coalescer) |
Nominal Technical Data
| Technical Area | Parameter / Specification Value |
| System Classification | Two-stage diesel fuel care |
| Installation Use | Stationary use in off-line or main-flow applications |
| Operating Pressure Range | 0.5 to 6.0 bar |
| Ambient Temperature | 2°C to 55°C |
| Operating & Medium Temp. | 2°C to 45°C |
| Protection Class | IP54 |
| Coating Structure | Double coating / primer and topcoat |
| Achievable Cleanliness Class | ≤ 18/15/6 according to ISO 4406, from an initial 23/22/18 |
| Water Content Entry | ≤ 1500 ppm, highest separation efficiency |
| Water Content Outlet | ≤ 70 ppm free water |
| Control Cabinet Interface | Hard-wired / ModBus RTU optional available |
| Control Voltage | 24V AC 400 |
Pump Module (PM) Technical Data
| Parameter | Specification Value |
| Suction Height | Max. 0.3 bar |
| Delivery Head | Min. 8.0 bar |
| Opening Pressure Overflow Valve | 6.0 bar |
| Power Consumption | PM-AFPS.1: < 0.5 kW / PM-AFPS.2: < 1.0 kW / PM-AFPS.3: < 2.0 kW / PM-AFPS.4: < 3.0 kW |
Fuel Compatibility
The AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System is designed to handle a broad range of fuels used in industrial, military, and marine operations:
- Standard Diesel: Conforming to EN590, ASTM D975 1D & 2D, and BS2869
- Heating Oil: EL heating oil according to DIN 51603-1
- Marine Fuels: Marine diesel oil (MGO, MDO) to ISO 8217 (DMX, DMA, DMZ, DMC)
- Military & National Fuels: F75 and F76 according to TL-9140-0003, 8 / DEFSTAN 91-4, 7
- Alternative/Biofuels: HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils) to EN 15940, and B30 diesel with biodiesel content up to 30% in accordance with DIN EN 14214
- Low-Sulphur Fuel: Diesel with low sulphur content of 15 ppm
This fuel compatibility makes the AFPS suitable for transport fleets, shipping, emergency diesel systems, backup power systems, and large-scale fuel depots.
BY and MAIN Design Types
The AFPS series is available in two main configurations to suit different installation demands.
1. AFPS BY Version (Bypass Flow)
The BY version is designed for use between a bulk bunker tank and a day tank. It continuously polishes and conditions the fuel in storage, ensuring it is clean and dry before being transferred closer to the engine.
2. AFPS MAIN Version (Main Flow)
The MAIN version is designed for installation directly in the inlet line to the engine. It treats the fuel immediately before it enters the engine’s primary fuel system.
Flexibility Highlight: If operational requirements change, a BY-type system can be easily converted to a MAIN-type system using a manufacturer-supplied Conversion Kit.
Automated Monitoring, Protection, and Bypass
The AFPS system is built for fully automatic operation with minimal manual intervention.
- Automatic Water Discharge: An integrated water sensor detects separated water in the separator stage. Once a limit is reached, the water is automatically discharged from the system.
- Differential Pressure Alarms: The system monitors contamination by calculating differential pressures across individual stages.
- Filter Module Alarms: Pre-alarm at 2.2 bar / Main alarm at 2.5 bar, indicating filter element needs replacement.
- Separation Module Alarms: Pre-alarm at 0.8 bar / Main alarm at 1.0 bar.
- Built-in Bypass Protection: If an operator cannot replace a clogged filter element immediately after a main alarm, the pressure will continue to rise. At this point, an overflow valve on the pump module automatically opens a bypass at 6.0 bar opening pressure. This allows fuel to continue flowing directly to the engine-side filters to prevent starvation. The system logs and monitors this bypass activation to ensure operators are aware of the bypassed state.
Why Choose the AFPS Advanced Fuel Polishing System?
The AFPS system offers several core benefits:
- High-Efficiency Filtration: Ultra-fine particle retention down to ISO 4406 cleanliness class ≤ 18/15/6.
- Effective Water Separation: Coalescer technology reduces free water down to ≤ 70 ppm.
- Engine and Component Protection: Extends the service life of fuel injectors, high-pressure pumps, and primary engine-side filters.
- Low Operational Overhead: Features automatic water drainage, condition-based filter monitoring, and integrated safety bypasses.
- Robust and Adaptable Design: Double-coated stationary structure with flexible sizing from 1,000 to 8,800 l/h to fit small generators up to large marine engine rooms.
ILF Solutions: Your Supplier for Filtration Group Fuel Care Systems in South Africa
When selecting a diesel fuel polishing system, correct product selection, sizing, and reliable technical support are vital.
ILF Solutions supplies high-quality filtration, lubrication, hydraulic, and fluid management solutions to South African industries. As a supplier of authentic Filtration Group Industrial products, ILF Solutions assists businesses with configuration selection, technical matching, and reliable local supply for the AFPS series.
Whether you need to secure a standby generator system, clean an industrial bulk storage tank, or outfit a marine vessel, ILF Solutions can help identify the correct AFPS size and configuration for your operations
What is the Filtration Group AFPS?
The Filtration Group AFPS, Advanced Fuel Polishing System, is an automatic, two-staged stationary diesel fuel care system. It combines fine particle filtration and coalescer-based water separation to continuously clean fuel in main-flow or bypass systems.
What are the flow rates of the AFPS series?
The AFPS series is available in four nominal flow rates: 1,000 l/h for AFPS.1, 2,200 l/h for AFPS.2, 4,400 l/h for AFPS.3, and 8,800 l/h for AFPS.4.
How clean does the AFPS make diesel fuel?
The AFPS achieves an ISO 4406 fuel cleanliness class of ≤ 18/15/6 from an initial 23/22/18 and separates water down to ≤ 70 ppm of free water from an entry level of up to 1,500 ppm.
What is the difference between AFPS BY and MAIN versions?
The AFPS BY version is designed for bypass-flow polishing between storage bunker tanks and day tanks, while the AFPS MAIN version is designed for direct main-flow installation in the engine’s fuel inlet. BY versions can be converted to MAIN versions using a conversion kit.
Where can I buy the Filtration Group AFPS in South Africa?
The Filtration Group AFPS is supplied in South Africa by ILF Solutions, providing technical guidance, correct system configuration, and local product support.
