Keeping Lockdown Fuel Fit For Purpose

Keeping Lockdown Fuel Fit For PurposeAs restrictions ease nationwide, off-grid businesses could be returning to their premises to find that fuel left over from the lockdown is no longer fit for purpose. Here, Certas Energy’s Head of Specialty Fuels and Services, Katrina McDonnell, explains how facilities managers can deal with any spoilage and take steps to prevent future ‘fuel health’ issues.

When left untreated for extended periods in back-up diesel generators and storage tanks, fuel is at an increased risk of water, microbial and particulate contamination. If you notice any changes to the distinctive diesel smell, for example, this could indicate your stocks have spoiled and you need to take immediate action. Understanding what caused the problem in the first place helps avoid the premature degradation of additional supplies.

For organisations with estates covering thousands of square footage, it makes sense - both commercially and environmentally - to turn to on-site power generation. As well as offering control over volatile energy pricing, it can help cut carbon emissions and even provide an additional revenue stream. What’s more, in locations where the grid is either unavailable or weak, energy reinforcement is a must and bulk fuel storage considerations are key components of business continuity planning. So, time is of the essence when operational hurdles do occur and it’s important to tackle any issues at the source.

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

Wide reports of filter and line blockages, tank corrosion and fuel performance problems can be linked to the increase in use of a particular kind of biodiesel. With these compositions mostly made from recycled cooking oils, plant-based and other renewable material - such as animal fats and plant oils - they represent a more responsible fuel choice but come with certain performance issues, if they’re not maintained in a precise way.

This is due to the manufacturing process converting oils and fats from these feedstocks into long chain molecules known as FAME (fatty acid methyl esters). The ‘ME’ of FAME - the methyl esters - are hygroscopic, which means they absorb and retain moisture at a higher rate than conventional mineral diesels. Making them more prone to contamination, waxing, diesel bug build-up and fuel separation.

Taking Stock

FAME has commonly been blended into UK road fuel since 2004, but it has only more recently been introduced to sulphur-free gas oil. Many facilities managers, therefore, may not yet be fully aware of the potential impact that this increased FAME content can have on the maintenance of their fuel storage tanks.

FAME’s hygroscopic nature is by far the biggest factor, so tanks must be safeguarded from all possible instances of water ingress - whether from rain or humidity. One way of minimising your fuel’s exposure to the air, to prevent additional moisture, is to keep the tank as full as possible. Being mindful, however, that FAME-blended fuels should not be stored any longer than six months - otherwise it is more likely water intake will start to cause performance issues.

Crucially, water needs to be drained from tanks regularly. If any of the estate’s tanks do not feature a drain point, they will need to be modified to include one. Otherwise shorter shelf-life will be a continuing and costly problem.

As well as the implications that water ingress presents, facilities teams should also watch out for:

  • Material incompatibility - FAME’s solvent problems can corrode tank components. Many common rubbers, plastics and surface coatings will degrade from FAME-containing fuels
  • Filter and line blockages - caused as a result of increased risk of water contamination, waxing, diesel bug infestation and fuel separation
  • Higher water uptake - as well as the issues mentioned above this would also lead to higher fuel consumption and a greater risk of bug build-up
  • Fuel separation - fuel-water emulsion in tanks can lead to irregular fuel performance, early waxing of the bio component, plus blocked lines
  • Poor cold weather performance - leading to more frequent waxing and precipitation problems
  • Shorter shelf life - the stability of FAME-containing fuels may degrade over time by oxidation and hydrolysis, leading to discoloration and gum formation

Taking Action

If inspection reveals that the water absorbent, detergent and solvent properties of your FAME-containing fuel have indeed led to issues during lockdown, there are a number of additive solutions that can resolve this.

During the warmer summer months, problems with diesel bug build-up are common. The first signs may be the continuous blocking of filters with a slimy substance that can range in colour from black to light brown. In this case ‘anti-bug’ additives can be dosed into the fuel to fix a live infestation, or as a continuous maintenance measure to prevent future microbiological contamination.

Tackling a broader range of issues relating to water pick-up, ‘Gas Oil Supreme’ additives help counteract the reduced sulphur content of FAME-containing fuels. And for the early waxing of the bio component, which tends to happen when temperatures drop below zero, it’s prudent to seek out ‘anti-wax’ treatments. These prevent the formation of wax crystals that can start to interfere with filtration. It is important to note, however, that such additives can only be used preventatively, so introducing their use as part of an ongoing regime is highly recommended.

In fact, once you’re aware of the range of issues that can occur when relying on biodiesel blends, there many options to avoid these problems altogether as the saying goes, Prevention is better than cure!

Preventing ‘Fuel Health’ Issues

In the first instance, purchasing fuel from a reputable oil supplier will ensure that the gas oil meets British quality standards and is on-specification.

Before taking a first delivery of any biofuel or biofuel blend, it’s advised to have your fuel storage tank professionally cleaned, with all internal water, deposits and mould growth removed as far as possible.

If you’re unable to fully clean your tanks before the first delivery, get in touch with your fuel distributor. They can perform an initial inspection on the tank’s condition and advise on its suitability for FAME-blended diesel.

Once the bio-blended diesel is in the tank, it’s important to perform frequent checks due to the heightened contamination and corrosion risks. Steps to take to help reduce the potential of FAME-related fuel contamination of component degradation:

  1. Check your tank carefully for signs of degradation in structure, material or coating
  2. If there is any water, dirt, mould or growth present in the tank, it should be removed as soon as possible
  3. Inspect pipework, seals, pumps and other components frequently for signs of actual or potential leakage. If leakage is found, it’s vital to replace components immediately to prevent further damage
  4. Be sure to examine filters regularly and replace fuel filters after two or three deliveries
  5. Keep a record of how long the fuel has been stored in the tank - the storage time should be limited to a maximum of six months
  6. Consider a FAME-free fuel alternative ….

Introducing An Alternative Way Forward

For all the environmental benefits that bio-blends bring, particularly in respect of the reduction in greenhouse gases, the notable performance issues may lead some organisations to source alternatives, requiring less complex maintenance regimes.

One such FAME-free solution is Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel. Shell GTL Fuel is being used widely in the UK and overseas across many different sectors as it represents a practical, as well as a responsible fuel choice. Exclusively available in the UK from the Certas Energy – UK’s leading fuel distributor - its zero bio content can achieve a shelf life of up to five years and be successfully used as part of a wider strategy to improve local air quality.

This high-quality fuel burns cleaner than conventional crude-oil based diesel fuels and therefore reduces local harmful emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), by up to 37% and 50% respectively. Being classified as ‘readily biodegradable’, Shell GTL Fuel also offers additional environmental benefits, with tests showing the fuel is not detectable in soil 51 days after being introduced.

 With the ability to withstand temperatures as low as -20oc, it is also a more robust fuel during seasonal variations. As a drop-in solution, this FAME-free alternative fuel can be used without the need to modify existing equipment and can also be stored in bulk fuel tanks and blended with diesel or gas oil for ease of use and handling with regular tank maintenance and cleaning processes. .

Many businesses across a wide range of sectors are working with Certas Energy and have swapped their traditional diesel or gas oil to Shell GTL Fuel as they aim to to reduce their impact on air quality and the environment, at the same time as balancing their day-to-day operational needs.

If you’re a business that that has been affected by the issues being caused by increased biodiesel (FAME) content in fuels, then an alternative like GTL may well be the solution you need.

In the meantime, by taking additional measures to ensure fuel stocks are brought back to full health and remain so, you can make sure your fuel is fit for purpose and focus on managing a phased and no doubt much welcomed return to busier operations.

For more on FAME-free, gas-to-liquid solutions, visit: https://certasenergy.co.uk

Keeping Lockdown Fuel Fit For Purpose