Standards & Publications

The aviation industry has worked continuously over the past several years to develop and evaluate new technology to replace Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP)-based filter monitors (FM), without the need for vessel configuration changes (drop-in replacement elements). The ultimate objective remains unchanged: to eliminate SAP-based filtration from all aviation fuel handling applications for the reasons explained in JIG Bulletin 105 and the documents referenced therein.
A joint industry programme designed and funded by JIG, IATA and A4A – the Joint Industry Filtration Field Trial Group – was established in 2018 to conduct field evaluation of new filtration/sensing technology. The scope of this joint field evaluation scheme includes only technology that has successfully completed the required EI qualification testing and technical evaluation for robustness. Progress on the technical and field evaluation of available replacement technologies has been communicated by JIG through regular Technical Newsletters since the onset of the programme.

The field evaluation process that was followed for the combination of the Dirt Defence Filters (DDF) – Electronic Water Sensor (EWS) shown in the table below has been completed. The review of the field evaluation results from the joint industry group has demonstrated that, in the environments in which these systems were tested, they prevent dirt and free water from reaching the aircraft, are durable in mobile applications and have sufficient life for routine operations. It was therefore confirmed by the joint industry group that the tested combinations met the acceptance criteria defined in the field trial protocol. As a result, the joint industry group has recommended the adoption of the tested combinations listed below into the standards.