Introduction
In 1892 Rudolph Diesel received a patent for a compression ignition reciprocating engine. His first design which used coal dust as the fuel did not work. Diesel recognized that liquid hydrocarbon byproducts might work better and changed his design. This resulted in the first prototype engine in 1895. Today, both the engine and the fuel still bear his name.
Diesel fuels are commonly used today for on-road transportation, marine shipping, farming, rail transportation, electric power generation, military transportation as well as in off-road uses in mining, construction and logging. Trucks in on-road transportation accounted for nearly 60 percent of the diesel fuel used in 2004 in the United States.
The purpose of this paper is to focus on some of the issues affecting diesel fuels and some solutions to solve them.
Common Diesel Fuel Issues & Solutions
1. Fuel Contamination. Water, dirt and microbial growth in diesel fuels all affect diesel fuel quality and can significantly damage engine components like injectors, pumps and fuel lines, leading to poor performance, increased fuel consumption and potential engine failure if not addressed properly. Water can enter through open fill ports or faulty storage tanks, causing corrosion and rust particulate. Bacteria and fungi thrive in water in the fuel, creating slime and clogging filters. Dust, dirt and rust particulates can enter the fuel tank during storage or filling. This build-up of contaminants can cause wear and tear on the injectors as well as incomplete burning of the fuel leading to increased emissions and power loss. The contaminated fuel will cause increased fuel consumption and difficulty starting the engine due to poor fuel flow.
Solutions. Keep fuel tanks tightly sealed, clean and in a cool, dry place. Check fuel filters regularly and replace them as needed. Use fuel additives to control microbial growth and water separation. Contaminated fuel is a dark khaki color and does not burn as cleanly versus the light amber or yellow-green of fresh #2 diesel.
2. Fuel Degradation. Diesel fuel will degrade over time leading to the formation of gums and varnishes. This greatly decreases engine efficiency and results in increased emissions. A 1994 study by scientists at the University of Idaho found that #2 diesel degrades 26% the first 28 days in storage and this begins as soon as it is refined.
Solution. Use a high quality fuel additive to stabilize the fuel as well as an additive that is an anti-microbial to prevent algae and bacteria growth at the fuel/water interface. Diesel fuel can only be stored for 6 to 12 months on average or longer under the best conditions.
3. Cold Weather Issues. Diesel fuel thickens in cold weather causing starting problems. The wax that is naturally present in diesel can crystallize and thicken causing fuel to gel which can clog fuel filters. This is known as the cold filter plugging point. The temperature at which the wax crystals first become visible in the fuel making it appear cloudy is the cloud point. When the temperature drops below the cloud point, the wax crystals can further clump together turning the diesel fuel into a gel-like substance and hindering its ability to flow.
Solution. Use a winter-grade diesel that has anti-gel additives that prevent the wax crystals from clumping together. Sometimes a fuel distributor will mix #1 and #2 diesel together, but it must be blended properly to obtain the desired results. Typically a tank of untreated diesel fuel will reach its Cold Filter Plugging Point at three to five degrees Fahrenheit below its Cloud Point which will then begin to clog filters. Fuel that has been treated with an anti-gel typically will not clog filters until the temperature reaches 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below the Cloud Point. A cetane improver additive can increase the ignition capability of diesel fuel for easier cold weather starting.
4. Clogged Fuel Filters. The contaminants described earlier can clog fuel filters which leads to reduced engine performance. This may result in difficulty starting the engine, rough idling, reduced fuel economy, jerky or stalled engine performance or a shaky ride at low speeds. The fuel pump may fail or malfunction prematurely as it works harder to get fuel into the engine.
Solution. To prevent problems, it is recommended to change the fuel filter regularly, usually every 10,000 miles or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. A clogged fuel filter can cause some cylinders to receive too little fuel to generate combustion.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance on a regular schedule and use of quality fuel additives can prevent poor operating performance in a diesel engine. One such additive that combines the benefits needed in a single bottle is DurAlt® Fuel Conditioner. Some of its benefits:
Boosts cetane 2.5 points for easier cold weather starting
Removes carbon deposits attached to metallic surfaces enabling smoother fuel flow
Acts as a lubricant creating a thin film on metal parts reducing friction & preventing carbon sticking
Modifies diesel combustion cycle reducing ignition delay and providing early release of fuel energy
Acts as an anti-microbial preventing algae and bacteria growth in stored diesel fuel
Serves as an anti-oxidant and corrosion inhibitor preventing corrosion in tanks
Works as a fuel stabilizer keeping fuel from breaking down for at least a year
Reduces noise in diesel engines and enables smoother operation
More information or to purchase DurAlt® Fuel Conditioner may be found at https://www.GetDurAlt.com
About the Author: Rich Lieber is the President and CEO of FuelSaver Technologies Inc, the manufacturer and distributor of a high quality commercial fuel treatment. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and has been the owner of FuelSaver Technologies for close to 20 years. Rich is a retired Air Force officer where he served as a jet pilot and space systems engineer. As the Total Quality Management Director of an Air Force Base, he taught continuous process improvement to all base personnel and later taught it to staff offices at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Rich was previously the President and CEO of an aerospace engineering company helping build Project Orion, a NASA program replacing the space shuttle.
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