The Need for Better Fuels
Has your fuel supplier told you that you don’t need premium diesel fuel or additives? They claim that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) make their equipment to run on #2 diesel fuel, and there is no need to spend the extra money for additives. Or, perhaps they say that FS fuel is the same as theirs; it all comes from the same terminals. Don’t be deceived by their half-truths!
Over the years, fuel and equipment have evolved to provide better performance and reduce emissions. Today’s engines are much more sophisticated with tighter tolerances that put diesel fuel under much more stress. The composition of the fuel has also changed and reacts differently to these high-pressure environments.
For these reasons, OEMs are becoming more concerned about fuel quality and the attributes of the fuel. Traditional ULSD fuel may be sufficient to run your equipment, but it is not the best fuel for running your equipment with the maximum power and best efficiency while providing protection to the entire fuel system.
Both on-road and off-road OEMs have been active in many market organizations that are focusing on the growing importance of diesel fuel quality. They are now even tying diesel fuel quality to their warranties. Organizations such as the Worldwide Fuel Charter, The National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM), Top Tier Diesel Fuel, and The Fuels Institute have provided recommendations for how to improve your operation through improving the diesel fuel supplied to the equipment.
Through the OEM fuel recommendations and publications from these organizations above, we know that improving the attributes of detergency, cetane, stability, lubricity, corrosion, water, and particle count above typical ULSD improves the operation of equipment.
Dieselex® Gold is engineered and designed to be the high-performance diesel fuel that these OEMs and the organizations they direct are looking for to maximize the power, efficiency, and protection of your equipment, providing:
- A patented detergency package that inhibits the formation of harmful engine deposits and cleans up any existing deposits, keeping engines clean and operating with maximum power and efficiency
- An increased cetane number, providing quicker starts, a more complete combustion, and reduced emissions
- Resistance to thermal and oxidative breakdown during operation and long-term storage
- Improved lubricity to add protection from wear to all moving parts within the fuel system
- Resistance to rust and corrosion throughout the entire fuel system
- Moisture control that slows water buildup from condensation and cleanly separates any free water for easy removal
- Extends filter life by keeping small particles from combining into larger particles
OEM fuel comments and recommendations:
Top Tier Diesel Fuel
“Relative to the ASTM D975 and D7467 specifications for diesel and biodiesel blended fuel in the U.S., the TOP TIER™ Diesel Performance Standard requires additive packages and good housekeeping practices to:
• reduce deposits on the fuel injectors (both internal and external),
• improve lubricity (less wear on injectors and in the engine)
• improve fuel stability (less deposits in the fuel system components)
• provide increased protection against water and particulates introduced into the fuel before being dispensed into the vehicle or equipment”
Worldwide Recommendations for Fuels, Coolants, and Lubricants for John Deere Equipment
“Cetane number of 40 minimum. Cetane number greater than 47 is preferred, especially for temperatures below –20°C (–4°F) or elevations above 1675 m (5500 ft).”
“Fuel lubricity should pass a maximum scar diameter of 0.52 mm as measured by ASTM D6079 or ISO 12156-1. A maximum scar diameter of 0.45 mm is preferred.”
“When fuel is stored for an extended period or if there is a slow turnover of fuel, add a fuel conditioner to stabilize the fuel and prevent water condensation.”
“Fill the fuel tank at the end of each day's operation to prevent water condensation and freezing during cold weather.”
“Keep all storage tanks as full as practicable to minimize condensation.”
“Diesel fuel can be the source of performance or other operational problems for many reasons. Some causes include poor lubricity, contaminants, low cetane number, and a variety of properties that cause fuel system deposits.”
Fuels for Cummins Engines
“Cetane Number: 42 minimum above 0°C [32°F]; 45 minimum below 0°C [32°F]”
“Engine builders and fuel injection equipment manufacturers have found that the particles of size approaching the 4 and 6 micron ISO checkpoints are particularly critical to the durability of the fuel injection system.”
“Cummins Inc. recommends waiting a minimum of one hour per foot of fuel depth before dispensing fuel after a delivery. If water and sediment are observed, additional settling time is one way of bringing the fuel back into specification.”
“Cummins Inc. recommends that if the fuel does not meet the ISO 4406 cleanliness code of 18/16/13 in bulk storage, additional filtration be applied before the fuel is delivered to the engine.”
Cat Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations
“Caterpillar strongly recommends the filtration of distillate fuel and/or biodiesel/biodiesel blends through a fuel filter with a rating of four microns(c) absolute or less. This filtration should be located on the device that dispenses the fuel to the fuel tank for the engine, and also on the device that dispenses fuel from the bulk storage tank. Series filtration is recommended. Caterpillar recommends that the fuel dispensed into the machine tank meets "ISO 18/16/13" cleanliness level.”
“Operating with fuels that do not meet Cat recommendations can cause the following effects: starting difficulty, reduced fuel filter service life, poor combustion, deposits in the fuel injectors, reduced service life of the fuel system, deposits in the combustion chamber and reduced service life of the engine.”
“Cat Diesel Fuel Conditioner is a proven high performance, multipurpose diesel fuel conditioner that is designed to improve:
- Fuel economy (through fuel system cleanup)
- Lubricity
- Oxidative stability
- Detergency/dispersancy
- Moisture dispersancy
- Corrosion protection
- Cetane (typically 2-3 cetane numbers)
Cat Diesel Fuel Conditioner has been validated through lab and field tests to improve/reduce diesel fuel consumption and emissions for typical fleets through fuel system/injector cleanup, and to help maintain new engine performance by keeping fuel systems clean. Note that while fuel system/injector cleanup takes place over time, maintaining fuel system/injector cleanliness is an ongoing process.”
“Data indicates that average fuel economy improvements across typical fleets may be in the 2-3+ percentage range. Note that improvements may vary based on factors such as engine model, age and condition of the engine, and application.”
Lubricating Oil, Fuel, and Filters - Detroit Diesel
“In a cold engine, a low cetane number will cause difficult starting and white exhaust smoke until the engine warms up. In engines with charge air cooling, a low cetane number fuel may also cause white exhaust smoke during light load operation. A minimum cetane number of 43 is specified for best engine performance.”
“In the presence of air, heat, and water diesel fuel does oxidize. The oxidation of fuel can result in the formation of undesirable gums, deposits and sediments. These adverse byproducts can cause filter plugging, combustion chamber deposit formation, and gumming or lacquering of fuel injection system components, with resultant reduced engine performance and fuel economy. These adverse byproducts can also have the potential to cause fuel system component failures.”
“Water in diesel fuel leads to storage tank corrosions especially if it shows high alkalinity properties due to salt (such as Sodium),or if acidic properties arise from low molecular weight acids (such as formic and acetic acid) contamination. It also promotes microbial growth at the water fuel interface (emulsions) if the fuel contains detergent additives. Good fuel handling practices including bulk tank filtration, regularly removing the water from the bottom of the storage tank and regular tank cleaning is the best practice to prevent any type of contaminations.
• The presence of sediment in fuel storage tank could cause filter plugging problems and the obstruction of fuel into the engine fuel injection systems.
• Sample water bottoms every six months (including microbial growth)
• Change filters every 3-6 months
• Recommended cleaning intervals for fuel tanks are every 2 to 5 years or as needed”
“Diesel fuel plays very critical role in the engine fuel injection systems lubrication process. The fuel injection system and fuel pump is protected from wear by the fuel. Some processes used to desulfurize, if severe enough, diesel fuel can also reduce the natural lubricating qualities of the diesel fuel. The use of inadequately lubricating fuel would decrease the life expectancy of the engine fuel injection systems. It is recommended that all fuels used in Detroit™ engines meet the minimum lubricity requirements listed in the above table "Diesel Fuel Specifications." Fuels not meeting the lubricity requirements may be additized to meet them.” Lubricity from Diesel Fuel Specifications table – 460 maximum.
Fuel Additives for the Best Protection and Performance – Bobcat
- Cleans and prevents injector deposits to maximize horsepower and fuel economy.
- Prevents fuel soot and sludge formation to extend filter, injector and fuel pump life.
- Increases cetane up to 5 numbers for faster, smoother, fuel-efficient starting that minimizes wear on the electrical system.
- Provides superior cold-flow properties to help prevent gelling and filter plugging.
- Helps to safely and gradually remove water from fuel system.
- Aids against fuel filter icing.
PACCAR Engine Owners Manual
“Dirt or water in the fuel system can cause severe damage to both the fuel pump and the fuel injectors. Due to the precise tolerances of diesel injection systems, it is extremely important that the fuel be kept clean and free of dirt or water.”
“Unapproved fuel can reduce economy or possibly damage fuel system components. Unapproved fuels typically do not have enough lubricity elements in the fuel to properly lubricate the fuel injection system.”
“PACCAR recommends that the cetane number of diesel fuel be a minimum of 45 for engines that are expected to operate at temperatures below 32ºF (0ºC) and a minimum of 42 for engines that are operated at temperatures above 32ºF (0ºC).”
“PACCAR requires all permissible fuels to have adequate fuel lubricity. Lubricity can be determined by ASTM, specification D6079, ISO 12156, High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) in which the fuel must have a wear scar diameter of 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) or less.” This is a 500 micon scar maximum.
NCWM Premium Diesel definition – 2020 Interim Meeting
Premium Diesel Fuel. – All diesel fuels identified on retail dispensers as premium, super, supreme, or premier must conform to the following minimum requirements.
- Cetane Number. – A minimum cetane number of 47.0 as determined by the latest version of ASTM D613, “Standard Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil.” ASTM D613, “Standard Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil” is the referee method; however, the following methods can be used to determine cetane number: the latest version of ASTM D6890, “Standard Test Method for Determination of Ignition Delay and Derived Cetane Number” (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils by Combustion in a Constant Volume Chamber”; and ASTM D7668, “Standard Test Method for Determination of Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils–Ignition Delay and Combustion Delay Using a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber Method.”
- Low Temperature Operability. – A cold flow performance measurement which meets the latest version of ASTM D975, “Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel,” tenth percentile minimum ambient air temperature charts and maps by the latest version of either ASTM D2500, “Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels” or ASTM Standard D4539, “Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT).” The latest version of ASTM D6371, “Standard Test Method for Cold Filter Plugging Point of Diesel and Heating Fuels” may be used when the test results are a maximum of 6 °C below the Cloud Point. Low temperature operability is only applicable October 1 to March 31 of each year.
- Lubricity. – A maximum wear scar diameter of 460 micrometers as determined by the latest version ASTM D6079, “Standard Test Method for Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels by the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR).” NOTE: The latest version of ASTM D6079, “Standard Test Method for Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels by the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR)” is the referee method; however, the latest version of ASTM D7688, “Standard Test Method for Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels by the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) by Visual Observation” can be used.
- Corrosion. – A minimum rating of B+ as determined by the most recent version of NACE TM0172, “Determining Corrosive Properties of Cargoes in Petroleum Product Pipelines.” NOTE: The latest recent version of NACE TM0172 “Determining Corrosive Properties of Cargoes in Petroleum Product Pipelines” is the referee method. The latest version of ASTM D7548 “Standard Test Method for Determination of Accelerated Iron Corrosion in Petroleum Products” can be used.
- Filter Blocking Tendency (FBT) – A maximum of 2.2 by the latest version of ASTM D2068, “Standard Test Method for Determining Filter Blocking Tendency”, following procedure B.
Injector Deposit Control. – Maximum power loss in keep-clean mode of 2 % by the latest version of Coordinating European Council, CEC F-98-08, “Direct Injection, Common Rail Diesel Engine Nozzle Coking Test.”