Rajan Wilcox
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus that is connected to a fuel tank vent, allowing the tank to 'breathe'. It optimises the intake and expulsion of air as fuel levels in the tank change, preventing pressure build-up and vacuum conditions that can lead to tank degradation and ruptures. Tank breathers are available in various types, including unfiltered, filtered, and fine-filtered options, each serving a specific purpose. They are essential for maintaining the safety and performance of fuel storage tanks, especially in diesel fuel applications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Enable the tank to 'breathe' and avoid tank pressurisation |
| Function | Allow for the optimum intake and expulsion of air as fuel is released from or deposited into the tank |
| Use | Optimum equipment safety and performance |
| Types | Unfiltered tank vents, filtered tank vents, fine-filtered tank vents, fine-filtered remote fuel tank breathers |
| Additional features | Some diesel fuel tank breathers also filter incoming air |
| Best practices | All breather hoses should be installed to avoid kinks and pinch points, avoid the build-up of debris, and the system should be regularly inspected and maintained |
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What You'll Learn
- A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus connected to a fuel tank vent
- It allows air to enter and exit the tank as fuel is deposited or released
- This prevents pressure build-up, which can lead to tank degradation and ruptures
- Fuel tank breathers can also filter incoming air, contributing to fuel cleanliness
- There are different types of fuel tank breathers, including unfiltered, filtered, and fine-filtered (with one-way valves)
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus connected to a fuel tank vent
Fuel tank breathers are available in a variety of types, including unfiltered, filtered, and fine-filtered. Unfiltered tank vents are free-to-air and may be connected to a filter canister to maintain fuel cleanliness. Filtered tank vents prevent the introduction of large dirt, water, and dust particles into the fuel tank and the fluid stream. Fine-filtered tank vents are designed to exclude particulate contaminants greater than 3 microns in size and are mandatory for many modern diesel engines.
Some diesel fuel tank breathers also filter incoming air, contributing to fuel cleanliness. It is important to install breather hoses in such a way as to avoid kinks and pinch points and to ensure that the system is regularly inspected and maintained. Exhaust air should be directed away from electrical and hot engine components, and incoming air should be as clean as possible.
Fuel tank breathers are an important safety feature for fuel tanks. Pressure build-up, vacuum, and repeated exposure to both can lead to tank degradation, including ballooning, splits, and major tank ruptures. By allowing air to enter and exit the tank at a sufficient rate, fuel tank breathers help to avoid excessive tank pressurisation and optimise equipment safety and performance.
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It allows air to enter and exit the tank as fuel is deposited or released
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus that is connected to a fuel tank vent, allowing the tank to "breathe". It enables the optimum intake and expulsion of air as fuel is released from or deposited into the tank. This is important as all fuel tanks are prone to expansion and contraction as the volume of fuel within them changes. For example, diesel and other fuels expand when they get warmer, which is a normal occurrence when fuel tanks are warmed by the sun during the day.
Fuel tank breathers are necessary for optimum equipment safety and performance. Without them, pressure build-up, vacuum, and repeated exposure to both can lead to tank degradation, including ballooning, splits, and major tank ruptures. A fuel tank breather allows air to enter and exit the tank at a sufficient rate to avoid excessive tank pressurisation.
There are several different types of vent valves and breathers for fuel tank applications, including unfiltered, filtered, and fine-filtered tank vents, as well as fine-filtered remote fuel tank breathers. Unfiltered tank vents are free-to-air and may be connected to a filter canister to maintain fuel cleanliness. Filtered tank vents prevent the introduction of large dirt, water, and dust particles, while fine-filtered tank vents exclude particulate contaminants greater than 3 microns in size, which is mandatory for many modern diesel engines. Fine-filtered remote fuel tank breathers can allow for very high refuelling and fluid dispensing rates and only filter incoming air to maximise the working life and efficacy of filters.
Fuel tank breathers can also help maintain fuel cleanliness by filtering incoming air. To ensure a diesel fuel tank breather works optimally and safely, it is important to install breather hoses in such a way as to avoid kinks and pinch points. It is also crucial to regularly inspect and maintain the system, ensuring filters are replaced before they become clogged and that all hardware and hoses are in good working order.
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This prevents pressure build-up, which can lead to tank degradation and ruptures
Fuel tank breathers are an important component of fuel storage systems. They are particularly valuable for diesel fuel tanks, which are prone to expansion and contraction as the volume of fuel within them changes. This is due to two main factors: environmental factors, such as warmer temperatures causing the fuel to expand, and the volume of fuel within the tank fluctuating throughout the day.
The primary purpose of a fuel tank breather is to prevent pressure build-up, which can have detrimental effects on the integrity of the tank. Pressure build-up, along with vacuum conditions and repeated exposure to both, can lead to tank degradation and even tank ruptures. This is where fuel tank breathers play a critical role.
Fuel tank breathers are designed to enable the tank to 'breathe' by allowing air to enter or exit the tank as needed. As fuel is released from the tank, air is drawn in at a rate that matches the fuel's expected consumption or dispensation rate. This prevents a vacuum from forming within the tank. Similarly, when fuel is deposited into the tank, or the fuel expands within the tank, the breather allows for the expulsion of air, avoiding excessive tank pressurisation.
By matching the intake and expulsion of air with the rate of fuel dispensation and deposition, fuel tank breathers prevent pressure build-up, thereby reducing the risk of tank degradation and potential ruptures. This ensures optimum equipment safety and performance. It is important to regularly inspect and maintain the fuel tank breather system, including replacing filters and ensuring hardware and hoses are in good working order, to maintain the effectiveness of this system.
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Fuel tank breathers can also filter incoming air, contributing to fuel cleanliness
Fuel tank breathers are an important component of fuel tank venting systems. They are designed to maintain optimum equipment safety and performance by preventing pressure build-up and vacuum in the tank, which can lead to tank degradation and even major ruptures.
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus connected to a fuel tank vent. It allows air to enter and exit the tank as fuel is dispensed or deposited, preventing excessive tank pressurisation. This is particularly important for diesel and other fuels, which expand and contract as they get warmer or cooler, respectively.
Now, here is where fuel tank breathers can also filter incoming air and contribute to fuel cleanliness:
Firstly, fuel tank breathers can be equipped with filters to ensure that the incoming air is clean. This helps to maintain the overall cleanliness of the fuel in the tank. Dirty or contaminated air can introduce impurities into the fuel, affecting its quality and performance. By filtering out dust, dirt, and other particles, the breather ensures that only clean air comes into contact with the fuel.
Secondly, fuel tank breathers with filters can prevent water ingress into the fuel tank. Water can cause serious issues with fuel quality and engine performance. By filtering out moisture from the incoming air, the breather helps to maintain the integrity of the fuel.
Additionally, some fuel tank breathers have multiple filtration grades. For instance, fine-filtered tank vents exclude particulate contaminants greater than 3 microns in size. This not only ensures fuel cleanliness but also protects the engine from harmful contaminants.
Finally, fuel tank breathers can be installed remotely from the fuel tank. This remote installation further ensures that the incoming air is as clean as possible, thereby contributing to fuel cleanliness.
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There are different types of fuel tank breathers, including unfiltered, filtered, and fine-filtered (with one-way valves)
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus connected to a fuel tank vent, allowing the tank to 'breathe'. It enables the optimum intake and expulsion of air as fuel is released from and deposited into the tank. There are several types of fuel tank breathers, including:
Unfiltered Tank Vents
Unfiltered tank vents are free-to-air and may include a traditional auto shut-off diesel refuelling system. They can be connected to a filter canister to maintain fuel cleanliness.
Filtered Tank Vents
Filtered tank vents are available in various grades to prevent the introduction of large dirt, water, and dust particles into the fuel tank and fluid stream. The Banlaw Filtered Vent, for example, comes with a serviceable air filter to protect against particles entering the tank and fuel system.
Fine-Filtered Tank Vents
Fine-filtered tank vents are designed to exclude particulate contaminants greater than 3 microns in size. This type of breather is mandatory for many modern diesel engines due to their small internal tolerances. They can also be designed as remote fuel tank breathers, which only filter incoming air to maximise the working life and efficacy of the filters.
When selecting a fuel tank breather, it is important to consider factors such as flow rate capacity, the mechanism of action, and the level of filtration. Additionally, installing a tank overfill protection system is crucial to prevent fuel spills and pressurisation, which can lead to fuel tank rupture and potential fires.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel tank breather is a valve apparatus that is connected to a fuel tank vent, enabling the tank to 'breathe'.
Fuel tanks need breathers to allow for the optimum intake of air as fuel is released from the tank, and expulsion of air as fuel is deposited into the tank. This avoids tank pressurisation and degradation, which can lead to ballooning, splits, and ruptures.
There are several different types of fuel tank breathers, including unfiltered tank vents, filtered tank vents, fine-filtered tank vents, and fine-filtered remote fuel tank breathers.
Fuel tank breathers are used on all modern Adventure, MX, and Enduro motorcycles, as well as on diesel engines.
