When the temperatures drop during winter, it’s important to remember to monitor the health of your fuel supply. Neglecting fuel supplies during the winter months could result in costly issues and productivity disruptions, which is particularly unwanted during projects with tight timescales. To make sure your fuel is prepared for the colder temperatures, additives are key. By improving fuel performance and minimising storage issues, they can reduce maintenance costs and save money. Read on to discover three essential additives to help keep your fuel flowing the right way, no matter the temperature.
Keep the bugs out
Few things are unhealthier for a fuel supply than becoming infected by ‘diesel bug’. Causing a range of problems from increased oil and fuel consumption to corrosion of machinery and tank components, a diesel bug infection can be exceptionally costly.
Anti-bug is a fuel soluble biocide and preservative. The first sign of microbiological contamination (the ‘diesel bug’) is often continuous blocking of filters with a slimy substance, which can range in colour from black to light brown. Anti-bug Kill and Anti-bug Protect can be dosed into fuel via either batch treatment or as part of a continuous additive injection regime.
Anti-bug Kill is used to tackle current and immediate microbiological infestation. Anti-bug Protect is a preventative solution that is used to inhibit microbiological activity in clean tanks. Both additives can be used in bulk fuel storage or added directly into a vehicle or machine fuel tank.
Ensure peak performance
Modern diesel engines use precision injection technology to help deliver optimum driving performance efficiently and with reduced emissions. Over time, deposits can build up in diesel fuel injection systems – causing issues such as noticeable reduction in power, engine misfires at idle, or power surges. The deposits can be very thin layers of lacquer or stuck tenaciously to critical engine parts that restrict fuel flow.
Diesel Power Restorer is a specially formulated fuel additive designed to break down and disperse hard lacquers and internal diesel injector deposits (IDID) to bring fuel flow and engine power back to optimum levels quickly. The additive is used ‘online’ on a running engine and is typically added as part of a routine service.
Clear out the sludge build-up
Marine environments can create challenges for quality control: fuel, oil or other hydrocarbon contamination and solids build-up in tanks, pipework and vessels is a common problem. Sludgebuster is a formulated chemical additive that is specially designed to clean these out. The additive should be added to a bulk fuel or other carrier fluid and ideally circulated through the tank to be cleaned for a number of hours. This means Sludgebuster pairs well with fuel polishing and/or fuel filtration equipment. It can also be used with professional pressure washing equipment.
Don’t let your supply wax over
When the cold weather sets in, your fuel supply risks forming wax crystals that can clog up machinery and cause significant damage. Anti-Wax is an additive that is formulated to improve the cold flow and handling properties of diesel and gas oil. It is typically added at the rate of 1 litre of additive to 1,000 litres of fuel, and works with fuel that has the maximum allowable FAME content. It’s important to note that Anti-Wax should be used as a preventative measure – before waxing occurs.
Certas Energy offers a range of additives to help keep your site running smoothly throughout the winter, helping to resolve issues and maintain a reliable, protected fuel supply. Talk to one of our experts today discover how, together, Certas Energy can help you keep your winter operations running the right way.
