Diesel fuel is a very complex mixture of thousands of individual
compounds with carbon numbers between 9 and 23 (number of carbon atoms
per hydrocarbon molecule) Most of these compounds are members of the
paraffinic, naphthenic or aromatic class of hydrocarbons (HC).
Classes and Properties
These three
classes have different chemical and physical properties. The different relative
proportions of the three classes is one of the factors that make one diesel
fuel different from another. It influences fuel properties and affects its
performance.
Up until about 15-20 years ago, refineries used only about 50% of a barrel
of crude oil to make distillates such as gasoline, jet fuel and diesel. The
remainder of the barrel of crude oil went to "residual oil". Today, as a result
of different refining techniques and additive packages, the refinery uses 90%
or more of the same barrel of crude, which clearly has consequences for fuel
stability.
Debris and Degradation
More than 90% of the debris on filter elements and the sludge in our storage
tanks is organic material, fuel and oil breakdown residue. In most cases, this
debris is acidic and not good for your engine. It causes corrosion in
injectors, pumps and storage tanks.
The solids that form as the result of the inherent instability
of the fuel and the natural process of degradation will accumulate in
the bottom of your tank. The sludge will form a coating or bio-film on the
walls and baffles of the tank, plug your filters and impact combustion
efficiency. Eventually it will clog fuel lines and ruin your equipment.
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