Winter means cold weather which could impact your diesel.
It is that time of year again. Cold mornings, frosted windows, and chilly winds, which means it is time to winterize your stored diesel fuel. If No. 2 diesel starts to cool during freezing, overnight temperatures, it could reach “cloud point,” when wax crystals start to develop in the fuel. The fuel will start to look cloudy, and crystals can plug up the fuel filter, which results in poor starts, engine hesitation, stalling, and engine damage too. Use the following guidelines to help winterize fuel that is leftover from harvest to avoid any issues.
Knowing When to Blend
The cloud point for diesel is approximately 14 degrees Fahrenheit. A solid rule of thumb is to switch a winter blend around 15 degrees above the cloud point. When overnight temperatures start to dip down around 30 degrees, it is time to blend in your top diesel with some additives for the winter. For every 10 percent of top diesel that is added, the fuel cloud point drops by about three degrees. Do not let the cloud print surprise you since crystals can quickly build up in the fuel during a cold snap, but they might still run just fine. Even if the fuel is properly blended after reaching cloud point, these crystals can remain and clog up equipment. An engine that runs nicely on a cold day could leave you stranded a few days after. For this reason, an early-season switch to winter-grade fuel is highly recommended.
Factor in Your Remaining Inventory
While blending fuel, do not just pour No 1. diesel on top of your stored fuel. First, gauge your remaining inventory, or the total volume of No. 2 left in your tank, before you start blending any winterized fuel, and then reach the correct blend before bringing in the first delivery of a winterized product. If No. 1 diesel is added to your storage tank without correct blending, the winterized product could be diluted, negatively impacting the fuel quality.
Partner with Howard Energy, Inc. for Alternative Fuel Supply and Services
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At Howard Energy, we fully understand how your business depends on a reliable and steady supply of gasoline and diesel fuel to keep your operations at its peak. As a family-owned, commercial full-service gas and diesel fuel supplier, Howard Energy has been serving companies across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern VA for over 25 years.
Our team of experts has a thorough knowledge of the petroleum industry to devise commercial and retail fueling solutions. As a result, we use our keen insight to build strong partnerships with commercial trucking, construction, manufacturing companies, and more. Howard Energy is proud to bring our products and services to gas stations, car dealerships, marinas, and beyond – 7 days a week with no surcharge on holidays or weekends.
If you need cost-effective and convenient wholesale fuel and related fuel tank storage or monitoring services, contact us to get started. Call us at 410-647-1500, and visit our website. Stay connected with Howard Energy on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.