Ameer Randolph
Paraffin wax, a soft white or colourless solid, is commonly added to diesel fuel due to its high cetane value, which helps engines generate more power and efficiency. However, this addition of paraffin wax to diesel fuel can lead to engine problems in cold weather. As temperatures fall, the paraffin wax thickens and crystallizes, blocking the engine's fuel filters and fuel lines. This can result in hard starts, loss of power, and a noticeable dip in fuel economy. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventive measures, such as using additives or fuel eaters, to avoid wax build-up and ensure the optimal performance of diesel engines during winter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of paraffin wax in diesel fuel | Small |
| Reason for inclusion | High cetane value, improves viscosity and lubrication, helps engine generate more power and efficiency from fuel |
| Reaction to temperature change | Thickens and turns cloudy at low temperatures, crystallizes at the cloud point, forms a gel-like consistency at the pour point, plugs the fuel filter at the cold filter plugging point |
| Effects of crystallization | Clogs fuel filters, blocks fuel lines, causes hard starts, noticeable loss of power, dip in fuel economy |
| Preventative measures | Use anti-gelling additive, perform regular fleet maintenance, change the fuel filter before winter, use an additional electric fuel filter heater |
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What You'll Learn
Paraffin wax improves viscosity and lubrication in diesel fuel
Paraffin wax is an important component of modern diesel fuel due to its high cetane value. It is derived from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks and has been in use since 1830. At mild to high temperatures, paraffin wax in diesel fuel exists as a liquid and helps the engine generate more power and efficiency. This is because paraffin wax improves viscosity and lubrication in diesel fuel.
However, in cold environments, paraffin wax in diesel fuel reacts and begins to thicken, turning into a cloudy mixture. This is known as the 'cloud point', the first of three stages of wax build-up in diesel engines, the other two being the ''pour point' and the 'cold filter plugging point'. At the cloud point, the wax starts to coat the fuel filters, and as temperatures continue to drop, the wax crystallizes and thickens the fuel, eventually blocking the engine's fuel filters and fuel lines. This can lead to fuel starvation, causing the engine to not start or become hard to start, as well as hard starts, noticeable loss of power, and reduced fuel economy.
To prevent wax build-up in diesel engines during cold weather, it is recommended to change the fuel filter before every winter and use additives such as anti-gelling agents and cetane boosters, which can help improve cold starts and fuel economy. Regular fleet maintenance by expert diesel engine technicians is crucial to ensure the vehicle runs efficiently regardless of the weather conditions.
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Wax build-up can cause engine failure in cold weather
All modern diesel contains a small percentage of paraffin wax. This wax improves fuel viscosity and lubrication, helping the engine generate more power and efficiency from the fuel. However, wax build-up can cause serious issues for diesel engines in cold weather.
When temperatures fall, the wax thickens and turns into a cloudy mixture. This is known as the fuel's '
To prevent wax build-up in cold weather, it is recommended to insulate the fuel tank, fuel filters, and fuel lines. Using high-quality diesel fuel and adding anti-gelling additives can also help prevent wax crystallization. Regular maintenance, such as changing the fuel filter and performing routine checks, can also help catch small issues before they turn into bigger problems.
If wax build-up has already occurred, there are a few solutions. One option is to use a blow heater to raise the temperature of the fuel in emergencies. Another solution is to use fuel eaters if the fuel has reached a gel-like state. Overnight heaters and coolant heaters can also be used to warm the fuel during cold weather.
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Anti-gel additives can prevent wax crystallisation
Paraffin wax is added to diesel fuel because it improves viscosity and lubrication, helping the engine to generate more power and efficiency. However, in cold weather, the wax crystallises and thickens the fuel. This can cause the engine to take longer to start up or not start up at all. This "gelling" can lead to diesel engine fuel starvation.
To prevent this, anti-gel additives can be added to diesel fuel. These additives can prevent the crystallisation of wax in low temperatures. Wax anti-settling additives (WASAs) are one such additive. They reduce the wax crystal size to the extent that they settle very slowly, or they induce gelation in the wax suspension. DSC analysis shows that small amounts of WASA suppress the wax crystallisation temperature and change the shape of the heat flow curve.
Polymeric wax crystal modifiers are another class of additives that can be used to improve flow properties and/or combat wax deposition for waxy crude oils. These include ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), poly(ethylene-butene) (PEB), and polyethylene-poly(ethylene-propylene) (PE-PEP). Intensive investigations of the interaction between wax and PEB polymers have been conducted, and the addition of PEB polymers to long-chain wax solutions in decane leads to heterogeneous nucleation on cooling.
Another example of an anti-gel additive is Hot Shot's Secret Winter Diesel Anti-Gel, which can be added to fuel during fill-up in cold winter months. This product protects fuel from freezing to temperatures down to negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It also provides a cetane boost, improves cold starts, and adds lubricity to improve fuel economy.
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Paraffin wax has a high cetane value
Paraffin wax, also known as petroleum wax, is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It is composed of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20 to 40 carbon atoms and is solid at room temperature, typically melting between 46 and 68 °C. Paraffin wax is an important component of modern diesel fuel due to its high cetane value.
The cetane number of a fuel is a measure of its ignition quality and combustion efficiency in diesel engines. It is a critical parameter in diesel fuel specification, as it affects the engine's performance, fuel consumption, and emissions. Paraffin wax, being a paraffinic hydrocarbon, has a high cetane value, which contributes to the overall high cetane number of diesel fuel.
The presence of paraffin wax in diesel fuel offers several benefits. Firstly, it improves the viscosity and lubrication of the fuel under normal conditions. This can enhance the engine's performance and fuel efficiency. Secondly, paraffin wax contributes to clean and complete combustion. Diesel fuels with higher cetane numbers, such as those containing paraffin wax, tend to have better combustion qualities and produce fewer emissions.
However, one challenge with the use of paraffin wax in diesel fuel is its sensitivity to temperature changes. While paraffin wax helps improve engine performance and efficiency under mild to high temperatures, it can crystallize and thicken the fuel at lower temperatures. This crystallization can lead to fuel filter clogging and even complete solidification, rendering the engine unusable. This phenomenon is known as the "cloud point" or "cold filter plugging point" and has been observed in extremely cold environments.
To address the issue of wax crystallization in cold temperatures, several solutions have been proposed. One approach is to use fuel additives, such as anti-gelling agents, which can prevent fuel filter clogging and improve cold starts. Another solution is to employ an isomerisation process, which can significantly lower the cloud point of the fuel, allowing it to remain fluid at extremely low temperatures.
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Kerosene is sometimes called #1 diesel fuel oil
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a highly refined fuel with a lower heating value of 43.1 MJ/kg (around 18,500 Btu/lb) and a higher heating value of 46.2 MJ/kg (19,900 Btu/lb). It is widely used in aviation as jet fuel and to power rocket engines. In parts of Asia, kerosene is even used as fuel for small outboard motors or motorcycles.
Kerosene is produced by fractional distillation of crude oil and its major components are branched and straight-chain alkanes (hydrocarbon chains) and naphthenes (cycloalkanes). Aromatic hydrocarbons such as alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes are also present, usually not exceeding 25% by volume. The term "kerosene" is commonly used in many countries, while in others, such as the UK and Chile, it is known as "paraffin".
The use of kerosene as a fuel source has evolved over time. Initially made from coal and oil shale, it was first used for lighting before being replaced by electric lighting in the late 19th century. Kerosene remained significant in the commercial use of petroleum until 1909 when it was overtaken by motor fuels. With the rise of the automobile, the demand for lighter hydrocarbons increased, leading to a decrease in kerosene production.
Today, kerosene is primarily used in aviation and, in some regions, for cooking and lighting. It is also known as "heating oil" in the UK and Ireland and is still utilised in kerosene lamps and lanterns in certain parts of the world. While kerosene is less commonly used as a fuel source for vehicles, it is interchangeable with diesel fuel in emergencies.
In summary, kerosene, also referred to as #1 diesel fuel oil, has distinct characteristics and a unique composition. Its usage has varied throughout history, and while it is no longer a primary fuel source for vehicles, it remains essential in aviation and continues to be used for lighting and cooking in certain regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Paraffin wax is added to diesel fuel because of its high cetane value. It improves viscosity and lubrication and helps the engine generate more power and efficiency from the fuel.
During cold weather, the paraffin wax in diesel fuel crystallizes and thickens the fuel. This can lead to fuel filter and fuel line blockages, causing the engine to have a hard time starting.
To prevent paraffin wax build-up, you can add a diesel flow improver additive to your fuel. This lowers the cold flow point of diesel fuel and prevents wax crystallization. It is also recommended to change the fuel filter before every winter and consider using winter diesel fuel, which has a lower paraffin crystallization temperature.
