Consider these facts.

FACT:

ALL fuel producers admit that diesel fuel is inherently unstable. This instability causes diesel fuels to form sludge and or insoluble organic particulates. Both asphaltene compounds (sludge) and particulates may contribute to build up in injectors and particulates can clog fuel filters plus add to the service issues common to diesel engines.
See: www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/L2_2_7_fs.htm

 

FACT:

 Diesel fuel contamination problems have two different areas to consider, biology and chemistry.

On the biology side is "Fuel Bugs" and on the chemistry side is "Asphaltenes".

Thinking you have a biological problem and treating it with a biocide when in fact you have a chemical problem will not solve the problem.

 

"Asphaltenes" a.k.a.  diesel sludge is the most common chemical problem and the most mis-diagnosed problem in diesel fuel.

Asphaltenes are brown and slimy and resemble algae.

BUT Asphaltenes are not algae, Nor are they "the bug" .

The natural chemical process that goes on in diesel fuel as it ages creates Asphaltenes.

The asphaltene molecules will tend to precipitate out of the fuel over time and settle on the bottom of the tank.

Once picked up by the fuel pump,  filters clog and engines stop.

 

Those that call diesel sludge algae are mis-informed and not knowledgeable on the subject and are mis-diagnosing the problem.

 

Algae definition*Simple rootless plants that grow in sunlit waters in relative proportion to the amounts of nutrients available. They are food for fish and small aquatic animals, and a factor in eutrophication (Source: Mintzer, 1992).

 

"Fuel Bugs" aka bacteria and fungus, primarily Cyanobacteria, in diesel fuel are the other problem but less prominent that Asphaltenes.

Most diesel users have very little knowledge of this costly problem.

There are over 100 types of Fuel Bugs that can live in diesel fuel. Fuel Bugs feed on the oil in the fuel and use the water in the fuel for their oxygen supply. They grow in your fuel at different rates and can easily cost thousands of dollars in damage to each contaminated vehicle or vessel.

It is imperative to determine if a fuel problem is biological or chemical based.

 

FACT:

Carbon deposits reduce fuel economy and increase wear on you engine. Stable and cleaner fuel will eliminate carbon deposits, fouled filters and smoke plus give you more power and better mileage from every gallon of fuel.

Tanks are never drained completely so remaining fuel in your tank contaminates new or added fuel the moment they are mixed.

 

FACT:

University of Idaho scientists have conducted tests to determine the timeline and percentage of degradation of stored diesel fuel #2. The results of this testing was that the petroleum diesel fuel #2 degraded 26% after 28 days of storage. See: Petroleum and Environmental Engineering Services
Masoud Mehdizadeh, Ph.D. http://www.fueltechinc.com/diesllf.htm

Studies conducted by National Biodiesel Board under accelerated storage conditions also proved that sediments are formed.

The formation of these sediments are increased in the presence of water and dissolved oxygen. [See: "Fuel Facts" National Biodiesel Board, Jefferson City, MO; Frankenfeld, J.W. "General Features of Sediment Formation in Model Fuel System," Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev. 1983, 22, 608-614].

Once diesel fuel begins the process of breaking down and sedimentation formation the fuel will create Asphaltene, cluster up, fall out of solution, and settle to the bottom of fuel tanks creating a sludge.

As the fuel further deteriorates, it darkens, produces a foul odor, and often causes diesel engines to smoke.

This is a direct result of the early-stage fuel clustering passing through the filtration systems and into the combustion chamber.

These clusters cause greater difficulty as they increase in size, failing to burn correctly, thereby exiting the system as unburned fuel in the form of smoke.

This problem is exacerbated as the clusters eventually reduce the fuel flow to the point of clogging the filters.

Filtration does not solve the core issue.

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