Water is without a doubt the most commonly reported issue with diesel fuel, which leads to microbial development and engine failure.
This water has the potential to cause a variety of issues, including freezing in cold temperatures, providing a breeding ground for bacteria, speeding up the aging of the fuel, causing gums and shellacs to form, and causing injector tips to fail.
When hot fuel from the injectors is returned to the fuel tank, condensation forms under the fuel and creates water. Because engine performance needs are higher than ever before, injectors produce more heat than they did 20 years ago. These injectors must be kept cool at all times or they will self-destruct.
To dissipate part of the heat, diesel engine systems circulate fuel from the fuel tank across the injectors. This keeps the injectors cooler. The heated “return fuel” is then returned to the fuel tank in a cycle. The increased temperature causes more water from the air inside the tank to condense into the fuel when the hot return fuel is returned to the tank. Over time, this results in a continuous build-up of water in the bottom of the fuel tank.
Due to vented storage tanks and humid air, water is also produced from diesel fuel storage. All storage tanks are vented to the outside air, allowing humid air from the outside to circulate continuously. Condensation occurs if the temperature drops by 7 degrees. The air temperature drops at night, and water vapor condenses in the fuel and sinks to the bottom (because water is heavier than fuel).
Multiple surfactants in DEE-water ZOL’s control agent absorb water into the diesel fuel by spreading it in tiny packets. These packets are small enough to pass through injectors and burn in the combustion chamber, releasing steam. If ‘free’ water is pulled into a heated injector, it converts to steam, expands by 40 times its original volume, and can blow out the injector, rendering the vehicle useless.
What Causes water in diesel fuel?
Water condenses in diesel fuel tanks because, unlike gasoline, diesel fuel has no vapor pressure to displace air. When the air inside a fuel tank warms up, it expands and is driven out. Humid air is sucked back into the tank as it cools at night, and water condenses on the cooler tank walls. This is one of the reasons why, if at all feasible, diesel fuel tanks should be kept full.
Additional water can get into a gasoline system through an open fill port, a faulty tank, or rain entering an open drum. Alternatively, it might simply be transferred from a polluted tank.
The presence of water in diesel fuel systems leads to a slew of issues. Water causes steel and iron components to rust, resulting in loose iron oxide particles. Rust particles can clog gasoline filters quickly. Rust particles as small as a micron can get through fuelfilters and into injectors, cutting surfaces and distorting fuel injection spraypatterns.
Standing water at the bottom of a gasoline tank creates an ideal environment for soil bacteria to proliferate. These bacteria get into the tank through the holes and during the dispensing process. Fuel and water combine to create an ideal setting for bacteria to feed on diesel fuel in a damp atmosphere. These bacteria generate a slime coating that frequently breaks away, clogging fuel filters and dispersing bacteria throughout the system. A bacterial slime-clogged fuel filter will have a black layer of moist gel on the upstream surface. As a waste product, living bacteria produce acids, which corrode and damage fuel system components.
Finally, any water that makes its way into the fuel injectors lowers the diesel fuel’s lubricating characteristics along the road. Galling, early wear, broken injection tips, and additional corrosion of critical fuel system mechanical components result as a result of this.
When water-contaminated diesel fuel is pumped from a tank, the water appears as visible floating droplets that are relatively straightforward to extract from the fuel with a good fuel/water separator. The diesel fuel/water mixture produces a stable emulsion if the water is not removed before going through the pump, making it very difficult to extract the water. Some water may move through the fuel system and be burned, but it is more likely that some will collect in and damage sensitive components.
Biodiesel is occasionally blended with petroleum for environmental and economic reasons. Using biodiesel at a concentration of 5% makes it more difficult to remove water. It is practically impossible to extract water from diesel fuel when biodiesel concentrations are less than 20%.
Many main filtration mechanisms are incapable of effectively removing water, leaving the engine vulnerable to pump and injector damage and lower efficiency. Prior to the final stages of solidparticulate filtration, it is critical to properly remove water from the fuel.
How do you stop water from getting into diesel fuel?
Maintain proper fuel storage hygiene by performing contamination tests on bulk storage operations. Every six months, check for water in storage tanks and drain or pump out any excess water. Make sure the tank filters are clean as well. Fuel system maintenance is an important part of contamination control.
How did water get in my fuel tank?
Water in a car’s gas tank is unquestionably a problem that must be handled right away. Water can enter your fuel tank when you fill it up at the pump or from weather-related condensation within the tank. If you have water in your gas tank, you may suffer the following symptoms. We’ll also go over several options for resolving the issue.
What happens when water gets in your diesel tank?
Anyone who works with diesel fuel, from builders and landscapers to delivery companies and auto dealerships, is aware that water issues are a constant concern. Whether you preserve it for a long time or not, this is the situation. You’re in big trouble if water gets into your diesel fuel system. Contamination of water wreaks havoc on this powerplant. Let’s have a look at the primary reasons why water and diesel don’t mix.
We all know that water freezes. However, did you know that it freezes faster than gasoline? Here’s an example of a comparison:
When water gets into your gasoline, it freezes, resulting in issues such as power loss, clogged filters, corrosion of fuel parts, and injector damage. That’s why, if there’s water, you’ll notice greater problems in the winter.
Gas is more refined than diesel, so while having water in your gas tank is bad, it’s even worse with diesel because it holds on to more water. In addition to the issues listed above, your engine’s lifespan may be shortened, and repairs may be costly. If you need to repair a fuel injector because it exploded, for example, it will be expensive.
Diesel and water, like oil and water, do not mix; instead, they separate. As a result, if you have water in your tank, it will settle to the bottom. Your tank will corrode and algae will bloom as a result of that water. Rust floats about in your gasoline filters, obstructing and ruining them. Bacteria create waste and continue to eat away at the engine and its components.
It’s not uncommon for condensation to form and then dissipate as the temperature outside changes. That isn’t the issue. It occurs when there is an excessive concentration of water. When this happens, problems like engine power loss arise. Examine the fuel; if it’s clear, that’s a good sign. There’s a problem if it isn’t, for example, if it’s cloudy. That is why routine maintenance is critical.
There’s a good likelihood you have water difficulties if you notice your vehicle or equipment isn’t performing well, especially if the idling is inconsistent. If the engine cuts off during acceleration, there are two alternative ways to tell.
Microbes multiply quickly in your tank, produce waste, and are difficult to eradicate. This is especially true if the underlying water problem isn’t addressed, as bacteria and fungus require water to survive.
A gasoline additive might work if there isn’t much water in the tank. Otherwise, the tank will have to be drained. If you have an above-ground tank, this is the best and most complete option. After that, clean the inside and remove any rust or corrosion. If you haven’t done this in a long time, your tank may need to be fixed or replaced. Ricochet Fuel can assist you.
Call Ricochet Fuel at 833-724-2789 to learn more about our tank testing and maintenance services.
We offer portable gasoline tanks in addition to permanent tank installations. We’re here to help you save time and money while also answering any questions you may have.
How common is water in diesel fuel?
“According to David Harvey, Citgo’s manager of product and technology, “diesel fuel can contain modest levels of water that may be dissolved in the fuel, thus the term ‘water in solution.'” “Parts per million are used to describe these extremely low water concentrations (ppm).
What happens if you get a little water in your gas tank?
Water in your gas can cause long-term damage to your injectors, in addition to the hesitation and stalling issues it causes. Water can corrode your fuel system and injectors, preventing them from correctly monitoring your fuel supply rate. If you wait long enough, your injectors will eventually fail, and your car will not start at all. This is unquestionably awful news.
Does diesel fuel absorb water?
The term “diesel bug” refers to a microbiological infestation that causes sludge and slime to build up in your tanks, clogging your fuel filters. Â It is made composed of bacteria, yeasts, and molds that are absorbed from the air by the fuel. The bugs stick to the water droplets in your fuel and fall to the bottom of the tank, where they feed on the petrol above them. Every 20 minutes, they double in number, emit waste, and die, leaving sludge and slime that clogs your filters.
Where Does the Water Come From?
Water enters fuel in a variety of ways, and it is frequently present in the fuel when it is first purchased. It frequently enters your tank through condensation caused by temperature fluctuations throughout the day; this can be particularly problematic if you frequently tie-up alongside for days, weeks, or months at a time. Diesel fuel is highly hygroscopic, meaning it collects water from the atmosphere. Bio-diesel absorbs 30 times more water than normal gasoline, accounting for 12% of the most regularly used EN590 fuel.
Is diesel soluble in water?
Water has a fairly low solubility limit in diesel fuel (100 ppm at 40°C), although various additions raise it. Diesel fuel may contain up to a few dozen parts per million (ppm) of water, which is common at the time of manufacture.
What additive removes water from fuel?
ISO-HEET If you require an additive to remove water from your gas tank, Heet is the industry standard. ISO-HEET is a gas anti-freeze that can remove up to 5 times more water than other additives.
