Diesel Fuel

New fuels pose new challenges

Diesel Engine Applications

No matter the fuel application, #2 ULSD along with Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel all have their good properties and characteristics and their not-so-good properties and characteristics.

The never-ending performance and operational challenges of diesel fuel can be overcome with some simple and cost-effective preventive maintenance and oversight solutions. Modern refining practices have been modified over the last 60 years to produce petroleum diesel fuels that meet ASTM D975 specifications but today’s diesel engine technology negatively stresses fuel integrity and compromises performance.

Today’s ULSD is very intolerant of microscopic particulate, moisture and other contaminants that the whole nature of fuel storage plays into. In addition, the complex fuel distribution network and extensive nationwide fuel storage facilities only add to myriad potential fuel contamination points. Another significant issue is Fuel stability; it’s certainly not like it was many years ago and the average shelf life of diesel fuel can be 6 months before it begins generating solids and particulate.

Petroleum Fueling Components

Since the introduction of ULSD 20 years ago, corrosion and fouling have plagued ULSD fuel system components nationwide. Two major studies conducted on the problem led industry stakeholder associations and other respected institutes to recommend best industry practices to stop and prevent the corrosion and fouling issues associated with ULSD. Our recommended solutions are in line with the facts and have proven to stop the problems for many convenience store chain operators and fueling locations across the country. 

Biodiesel and Fuel Additives

• As biodiesel blends increase, fuel additives are essential to ensure proper fuel performance and storage tank integrity.
• Biodiesel’s clean burning characteristics are well documented and will continue to help move industry towards a carbon free solution.
• The properties and characteristics of biodiesel are similar to petroleum fuels and fuel additives are undeniably beneficial to fuel performance.
• Cold flow characteristics of biodiesel offer handling and operational challenges are overcome by up-to-date cold flow additive chemistry.
• Storage stability challenges are also mastered by the use of relevant and state of the art stability additive components. 
• Understanding biodiesel feedstock and customer fuel use is helpful in determining specific fuel additive application.
• Fuel analysis for biodiesel blended fuels can help ensure expected fuel performance, especially in cold weather climates.
• Continuous R&D on fuel feedstocks, finished fuel products, refining practices, combustion equipment all result in high- performance fuel additive technology. 

Fuel Management Services offers the following types of additives for Biodiesel:

• Biocides
• Cold Flow Improvers
• Lubricity Improvers
• Cetane Improves

Renewable Diesel (RD)

• RD blended into petroleum fuel requires oversight in fuel storage and fuel additive technology can help ensure proper fuel performance.
• Cold flow characteristics are primarily determined by how RD is produced and some RD production yields excellent cold flow properties.
• Other production processes results in less favorable cold flow properties.
• Lab testing is imperative to understanding cold flow limits and considering fuel additive use for cold flow improvement.

Want to know more about our diesel fuel solutions? Contact us today.