Filter plugging can have several
causes. For example, low temperatures can
cause wax crystallization if summer diesel is used in
cold weather. Because wax or paraffin is part of the diesel fuel, a winter fuel
catalyst with anti-gel such as ALGAE-X® AFC 805 is the solution to
that problem.
Chemical incompatibility
may also cause dramatic filter plugging. This may happen when fuels with
incompatible additive packages are mixed. There are other possible causes for fuel filter clogging, too.
Bugs and
Biocides
Contaminant build-up resulting from
excessive microbial growth and bio-degradation of
fuel can also cause filter plugging. Micro-organisms, bacteria and enzyme
activity, fungus, yeast and mold cause fuel degradation and the formation of
waste products. The process is similar to milk turning into cottage cheese, a
different form of milk.
Of all the
microbial debris and waste products in the tank, however, only about .01% is
bugs. Even though microbes may cause and accelerate the process of
fuel degradation, it should be clear that
the waste products clogging your filter are not the
microbes but fuel components which have formed
solids.
Frequently,
the application of a biocide aggravates the situation and turns bio-film into
solids, creating a real fuel filter nightmare. Bio film develops throughout the
entire fuel system. It grows in the water-fuel interface and on the walls,
baffles, and bottoms of storage tanks. An unlucky end user may be filling up his
tank and getting this debris delivered as a part of his fuel – at no extra cost,
but with a price just the same.
Heat and
Pressure
Poor thermal fuel
stability can also plug filters. Fuel will form
particulates (solids) when exposed to pumps and the hot surfaces and pressure of
the fuel injection system. This will result in an
increase in asphaltene agglomerations, polymerization, and a dramatic loss of
combustion efficiency.
Read the Whole Article (FAQ #3)
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Re: What's Clogging Your Fuel Filter?
