Seldon tested the feasibility of its Nanomesh™ filtration media in removing bacteria from contaminated JP-8 jet fuel. Figure 1 shows a result from these feasibility tests. Figure 1a shows a culture of a sample taken from the fuel-water interface of contaminated JP-8. Figure 1b is a culture of the fuel after it has been passed through a Nanomesh™ filter. The Nanomesh™ was clearly capable of removing the bacteria from the fuel. Seldon has worked with the USAF Research Laboratory to enhance filters for advanced fuel applications; including water/fuel separation and remediation. Testing at Seldon continues on a variety of Seldon’s fuel filtration media designs. Seldon expects a fuel product will be launched in 2010.

Figure 1: (a) Culture of sample from fuel-water interface showing considerable bacterial growth. (b) Culture of sample filtered through Seldon's Nanomesh™ showing total absence of bacteria.


Third party testing of Seldon’s Nanomesh™ fuel filtration media has been shown to significantly reduce the amount of fuel degradation products (FDPs) from biodiesel as well as commercial diesel products. Figure 2a compares a sample of biodiesel fuel before and after filtration. The clarity of the post-filtration sample indicates the removal of fuel degradation products from the biodiesel. Figure 2b compares the removal of FDPs from commercially available diesel fuel using Seldon’s CNT-based filter and a traditional filter. It is evident from the image that the FDP contaminated diesel fuel filtered using Seldon’s CNT filter is much clearer than when filtered using a traditional filter. Though this test was not quantitative, it is an indicator of the potential of Seldon’s fuel filtration media.

  • Before
  • After


Figure 2: (a) Image of thermally degraded biodiesel fuel before and after removal of fuel degradation products using Seldon’s Nanomesh™ filter.

  • Seldon Filter
  • Traditional Filter


Figure 2: (b) Image comparing the effect of a traditional filter against the effect of Seldon’s Nanomesh™ filter for the removal of fuel degradation products from commercial diesel fuel.


The same third party also showed that Seldon’s material was shown to be capable of removing small particulate matter. In this measurement, test filters were placed upstream of a sacrificial “filter patch” (see inset in Figure 3). The change in pressure across the patch was then monitored. Figure 3 shows the results of flowing ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel containing 0.14% of dimethyl-phenanthrene(DMP) particulate (less than 3 mm) through a traditional fuel filter, a sample of Seldon’s Nanomesh™ fuel filter and when no test filter is in place. As seen in the figure, with no test filter in place, the sacrificial patch quickly becomes clogged. No increase in pressure drop was observed in both the Nanomesh™ and the traditional filter; indicating that they work with similar removal efficiencies. However, Figure 4 indicates that Seldon’s Nanomesh™ fuel filter has much better electrostatic discharge capabilities when compared to the traditional filter. At high flow rates, build up of large electrostatic charges causes electrical sparks within the filter. These discharges cause damage to the filter and hence reduces filter efficiency and life.

Figure 3: Plot depicting change in pressure drop across a downstream filter when Seldon’s Nanomesh™ pre-filter, a traditional pre-filter and no pre-filter is used for removal of 0.14% (DMP) fine particulates (< 3 micron) from ultralow sulfur diesel(ULSD).

Figure 4: Level of static charge build up in the CNT filter when compared to traditional filter at different flow rates.