Fuel Quality
Fuel is changing rapidly. Where hydrocarbon fuel quality was once consistent, now each batch of fuel has varying degrees of quality measured against industry specifications. As refining margins decrease globally, the drive to maximise crude yeild increases. This in turn leads to an increase in contaminants shown to reduce fuel quality. Global fuel specifications are also being updated more freuqently in order to gradually reduce dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
By altering the components of hydrocarbon fuels and combining new emissions prevention technology, it is possible to reduce the production of harmful emissions (Sulphur, Nitrogen & Carbon Oxides) post-combustion. The predominant changes to the components of fuel are a reduction in sulphur content and an increase in bio-derived content such as Bioethanol or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), often found in Biodiesel. These changes have a proven depreciatory effect on the fuel quality despite the warnings of industry professionals and users. Changes are primarily mandated by local and international legislation through evolving fuel specification changes and engine emissions regulation.
Fuel quality is deteriorating. Test data shows a direct correlation between key changes in fuel components and the number of off-specification (i.e poor quality) fuels. For example, in the marine industry, a recent study saw the greastest recorded rise in poor quality delivered fuels - 1 in 4 M.G.O. (Marine Gas Oil / ISO 8217) samples being off-specification. A similar pattern has been seen in both road & off-road fuels across Europe & the U.S. These off-specification fuels, without changing their processing, can only be consistently preserved through the use of fuel treatments.
Poor fuel quality has a detrimental impact on both storage and combustion. These ultimately lead to key problems in organisational operations, including:
• Increased fuel spend
• Increased maintenance
• Reduced operational efficiency
Fuelcare provide a range of services to combat the delterious effect poor fuel quality has on important operations. Fuelcare can provide biocides, detergents and multifunction additives to keep your fuel quality optimal and your assets running efficiently. The majority of fuel quality problems can be linked to the most recent changes in fuel specifications: lowering Sulphur content and increasing biologically derived content such as FAME.