1. Distillate & Biodiesel Contamination, Storage and Handling Procedures
Advanced Fuel Solutions, Inc.
Paul J. Nazzaro, President
P.O. Box 291
Lynnfield, MA
office – fax –
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2. Presentation Overview
Changes have occurred in middle distillate fuel quality over the past two decades.
Requires diligent supervision of both your received fuel and stored fuel.
Today’s focus is to provide awareness of fuel storage problems, some of the chemical solution alternatives, and practical experience solutions that are available.
Industry (D396) standards do not have specifications that cover all potential problems.
Let’s look at Fuel System Contamination I, II and III
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3. Fuel System I Contaminants
Air
Enters through venting pipes. May be contaminated by dust and microbiological spores. It also may contain large amounts of moisture.
Air displaces fuel volume.
The oxygen present will increase the oxidation of the fuel. This is the beginning of sludge formation resulting in unstable fuel which will trigger filter and nozzle plugging. (Better known as unscheduled downtime).
Do not store fuels (#2 diesel or Biodiesel) for long periods of time in partially empty tanks without fuel stabilizers.
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4. Fuel System II Contamination
Water
Easiest to identify and most destructive.
Free water leads to corrosion and fuel degradation.
Provides fertile growing place for bugs.
Vents and seals that are poorly designed, improperly installed, or faulty can allow water to enter.
If possible stick with paste for the best defense. Don’t depend only on electronic monitoring systems.
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5. Fuel System III Contamination
Fuel in storage will degrade to form insoluble materials. (Particulates & Sludge)
Results include plugged filters, fouled injectors/nozzles, formation of combustion system deposits, and accelerated corrosion.
As the fuel cools, water will condense and generate free water.
Fuel stability is dependent on several factors including crude sources, refinery processes, base fuel components, base fuel blends and storage conditions.
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6. Storage Tank Problems Most have been poorly designed, system wide.
Improper placement of water draw offs or a complete lack of any at all.
Many systems lack access to implement proper housekeeping procedures.
Lack of water control causes internal corrosion and a complex corrosive mechanism resulting in microbial activity.
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7. Microbes in Fuel – “Bugs”
Microbes cause problems because they promote corrosion, and their physical presence leads to plugging of filters and injectors/nozzles.
Controlling micro biologics is difficult because it is almost impossible to exclude water entirely from commercial hydrocarbon fuels.
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8. Controlling Microbes Elimination of water is most effective step.
Keeping the system aerated.
Utilize an EPA registered biocide.
Remove contaminated materials if possible.
Bring in clean fuel with a remedial dose of biocide.
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9. Housekeeping
The end-user assumes responsibility for ensuring an optimum storage environment for all fuels.
Analyze fuel and tanks for problems.
Use corrective action to remediate problems such as water and sludge.
Chemically correct deficiencies in the fuel.
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10. Maintaining Fuel Quality Action Steps
Begin by understanding D396 and D6751, both it’s strengths and weaknesses.
Be proactive and consistent with housekeeping, watch for routine fuel contaminants like air, water and the fuel itself.
Maintain optimum storage tank conditions.
Plan and execute a quarterly fuel analysis to ensure a solid fuel quality program.
Take corrective action based on fuel analysis
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11. Biodiesel Handling & Use Guidelines
Biodiesel always refers to the pure fuel.
Biodiesel blends or BXX refers to a fuel that is composed of a % of Biodiesel blended into conventional fuel, B20 = 20% Biodiesel.
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12. Biodiesel Fuel No nitrogen or aromatics Biodegradable and non-toxic
Typically no sulfur
Energy content of #1 fuel, normally 10% less than #2
Fuel efficiency is the same as diesel or #2 oil.
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13. Biodiesel Properties
Blends readily with all types of distillates, splash blends well on top of distillate.
Stays blended even in presence of water.
Properties very close to #2.
Safe to handle
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14. Biodiesel Fuel Quality
ASTM D-6751 provides the standards to ensure good fuel quality.
Standard ensures that Biodiesel has the fuel properties for safe operation in a compression ignition engine and ensures that poor processing has not contaminated the fuel with other products that would create engine damage.
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15. ASTM Fuel Specifications
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16. The “Right” Blend – 20%
20% blend gives good emission benefits by reducing soot, particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
20% does not create major problems with filter plugging and deposit formation.
20% controls the increase in cloud and pour point by a manageable level that cold flow additives and kerosene blending allows.
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17. Splash Blending
Biodiesel should be splash blended on top of petroleum diesel/#2.
Blends will not separate in the presence of water.
Can be stored in standard storage tanks.
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18. Materials Compatibility
Copper, brass, zinc, lead and tin parts should be replaced with aluminum or steel since these metals oxidize both diesel and Biodiesel fuels.
Teflon and Viton are must use sealing devices, not Buna, Nitrile, Polyurethane, Polypropylene and Polyvinyl are not acceptable sealing devices.
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19. Stability Some Biodiesel is more stable than others.
Poor stability can lead to the formation of gums and sediments that will plug filters.
Storage for neat and blended Biodiesel fuels longer than 6 months should have antioxidants blended at point of sale.
TBHQ / Tenox 21, (t-butyl hydroquinone) is the chosen one for making fuels long lasting.
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20. Solvency Biodiesel is a mild solvent.
Prolonged contact with painted surfaces may remove coating.
Always wipe up spills and dispose of rags in a safe manner.
Biodiesel could cause early stages of premature filter plugging, but this has been a rare occurrence.
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