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There is no good time to find out your engine won't operate because of contaminated diesel fuel. A sudden need for diesel fuel that has been stored to run back up systems and generators can create another disaster after the 3 to 5 minutes. Those systems usually run until stagnant fuel clogs and "kill" engines. Boats and ships can be stranded until the filters are changed (if they have some with them). Worse life support and evacuation systems can quit in commercial buildings, financial institutions, hospitals and communication facilities. Since no one can predict an emergency, the only safe method is to stop the problem before it starts.
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CATERPILLAR
(see publication #SEBD 0717-01 Diesel Fuels and Your Engine) Diesel Fuel
Quality and Selection *
CATERPILLAR (see publication #SEBD 0717-01 Diesel Fuels and
Your Engine) You can buy the most expensive, state of the art equipment, but without clean, good grade fuel it cannot do it's job. Storing diesel or other distillate fuel for later use (or fuel in tanks of vehicles not used immediately) will quickly begin to degrade because of living microbial (bacteria) and fungi which thrive on impurities in the fuel, air, moisture, and dust. Factors such as climate, weather, tank conditions or tank design influence on how quickly these "bugs" develop into solids and sludge that clog fuel lines, damage engines, and effect our environment. As the particulates develop, the slime they create sticks to the walls of the tanks and begin a corrosion process that can also lead to tank damage and possible fuel leakage into the ground. Additives are biocides and are similar to "antibiotics" that kill fuel bacteria. But like human antibiotics, the right one must be used for each microbial, in the right amounts, and at the right intervals. Improper application is like stopping a human antibiotic treatment after 3-4 days. The germs are still there, and will increase immediately. In addition, some biocides are water-soluble and actually breakdown with contact, which can also be a problem. If successful, the effect of the additives alone is only temporary and will not eliminate the sludge problem. Contaminated fuels must sometimes be removed for tank repairs and fuel replacement. Besides being very expensive, this "bad" fuel must be dumped somewhere as hazardous material. Clean fuel is more efficient, burns safely and is kinder to the environment. Why the decline? Mainly, it's due to the increased popularity of diesel power and the accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel. There was a time when diesel fuel remained in the refinery storage tanks long enough to naturally separate and settle, allowing it to be drawn off. Now with increased demand, diesel fuel never remains stationary long enough for settling, and the suspended water is passed on to the user. The change in refinery techniques is another problem. In order to get more products per dollar; diesel fuel is now being refined from more marginal portions of the crude oil barrel. This results in lower-grade product that is inherently thicker and more susceptible to acute water contamination. Understanding the threat that water poses to a diesel engine means realizing the added burden placed upon diesel fuel as opposed to gasoline. Gasoline acts as a fuel only. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, also must cool and lubricate injection system parts. These parts are engineered to incredible tolerances - up to 0.0002 of an inch - and any contamination means rapid wear or seizure. Water not only displaces the diesel fuel; it acts as a cutting agent, scoring these parts. Water that enters the combustion chamber results in even more serious damage. When it comes in contact with the heat of the combustion chamber (in excess of 2000 degrees F), it immediately turns to steam and often literally explodes the tip of the injector. Water causes corrosion of tanks, lines, injectors, and greatly reduces combustibility. Bacteria also presents a serious problem. Bacteria feed on nitrogen, sulfur, and iron oxides. Therefore, compounds of these elements should be excluded from fuel storage tanks. Diesel fuel
begins to deteriorate as soon as it is produced. This deterioration
does not present a major problem if the fuel is consumed relatively
quickly. However, fuel may be stored for years in a standby power
system: "It's deterioration not only affects pumpability
and combustibility, but it will most likely cause engine damage. |
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