There is nothing worse than starting your furnace and realizing it doesn’t work. Microbial contamination of fuel is linked to equipment failure. System owners may service their heater seasonally, but often neglect basic housekeeping which includes fuel quality management. So, fuel related issues prevail. In… Read More »Heating Oil Problems
Fuel biocides are chemical additives used to control and prevent microbial contamination in fuels. Microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast can proliferate in fuel systems, particularly in stored or stagnant fuel, and cause various issues. They are specifically designed to inhibit the growth and… Read More »Don’t Trust Any Other Biocide with Your Equipment
Born and raised in Florida and having lived most of my life in Fort Myers, I have seen my share of hurricanes. Out of the six I have lived through, last years was one I will never forget. Hurricane Ian made landfall as a category… Read More »A Hurricane To Remember
Diesel is one of the most widely used fuels in the world. It is essential for powering everything from vehicles to generators. But when it comes to preserving diesel fuel for long-term storage, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should be aware of.… Read More »The Do’s and Don’ts of Long-Term Diesel Storage
Diesel Fuel Quality Fuel quality is something that has to be taken seriously. It has been estimated that around 70% of diesel engine failures are due to poor fuel quality. Over the last five posts, we have discussed how different fuel additive components can essentially… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 6
Winterizing Diesel fuel is impacted by seasonal temperature changes. Conventional summer diesel fuel can begin to gel around 32°F. If blended with biodiesel, it will begin to gel at higher temperatures. Some biodiesels begin gelling in the upper 40s to low 50s. So preparing your… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 5
Lubricity Lubricity additives are used in diesel fuel to help reduce engine component wear and prevent unnecessary damage due to poor lubrication. Today’s diesel fuels are dryer and contain less friction reducing lubricant than fuels pre-2006 when the low sulfur mandates came into effect. The… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 4
Detergents The heart of every diesel powered engine is the fuel injection system. The importance of keeping this system clean and operating efficiently cannot be understated. This is especially true with emergency power systems or any system that depends on diesel fuel being stored for… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 3
Combustibility Hard starting engines, white smoking and rough idling when cold are all indications there is a combustion problem. These can indicate an engine problem or may point to a fuel issue. Fuel stored for long periods of time will degrade, affecting combustion. Cetane decreases… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 2
Stability Diesel fuel degrades easier and faster today. Stability, a fuel’s resistance to degradation, is key to storing fuels. Due to today’s distillation process, diesel fuel does not have the stability it used to. The high pressures and high temperatures used in the refining process… Read More »Diesel Fuel 101, Part 1