Expert Advice

Clean Diesel Best Practices

Dirt, water and other contaminants cause damage to equipment, tanks, and diesel fuel itself. Rather than try to fix problems after they cost you time and money, develop preventive programs to avoid these problems to begin with. Following the below best practices for fuel storage will help prevent the expense and downtime that can be caused by contaminated diesel fuel.

Microbial Bacteria in Diesel Fuel

Microbial colonies can proliferate in any fuel tank. Microbial contamination varies in appearance, but looks very different from typical dirt. Most people don't realize they have a problem with their system until they experience filter plugging. By this time the situation is far more severe than just a few microbes.

Dirty Fuel Damages Engines

Dirty fuel can cause premature failure in equipment of any age. Because of the extremely high pressures, this damage is even more pronounced in newer equipment with High-pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel systems.

The Damages of Diesel in Cold Weather

Cold weather operability can be a huge problem. Equipment won't start in the morning or even if it does, it might stop suddenly in the middle of a job. These issues are usually caused by solids created in the fuel as the temperature decreases.

Water is the Enemy of Diesel Engines

Water causes damage to both fuel tanks and engine parts. Component life is also shortened by water etching, erosion, cavitation and spalling. Diesel fuel will always contain a certain percentage of water. The goal is to keep water levels within acceptable limits, well below the saturation point.

The Degradation of Fuel Over Time

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and biodiesel both have reduced stability in storage compared to traditional high sulfur diesel. While it is true that removing sulfur improves stability, the hydro-treating process also tends to destroy naturally occurring antioxidants.

Frequently Asked Questions about Diesel Fuel

Find answers to your questions about diesel fuel and understand what steps you can take to achieve fuel cleanliness.