Abstract

An environmentally safe and compatible filter and dehydrator apparatus for dehydrating and filtering impurities from fuel materials having a filter housing, a filter element composed of non-metallic, environmentally safe material and a water sensor used to detect the presence of water and generate a signal in response thereto to automatically engage a pump to remove a quantity of separated water from the filter housing, in the absence of allowing air to enter the filter housing. While processing fuel through the filter housing, a natural fuel/water contact forms within a lower portion of the filter housing. As fuel material is filtered and the fuel/water contact rises within the filter housing, the fuel/water contact approaches the water sensor. When the water sensing means detects the presence of water, the water sensor generates a signal to engage a pump to remove a quantity of separated water from a lower opening in the lower portion of the filter housing. The separated water is automatically removed in the absence of allowing air to enter the filter housing and the fuel/water contact is kept at a minimum elevation within the filter housing and away from the filter element.