Ensuring long-term stability of finished fuels

As fuels age, polymerization and oxidation can occur, forming gums and insoluble or non-volatile residues. These materials can contribute to fuel system failures in vehicles or adversely affect combustion performance. The presence of cracked fuels compounds the problem.

Fuel stability improvers from GE Water & Process Technologies retard or prevent deterioration in gasoline and middle distillate fuels or diesel. These additives block the oxidation or polymerization reactions of cracked hydrocarbon molecules

Gasoline stability is measured by the Induction Period Test (ASTM D-525) or the Gum Test (ASTM D-381). Distillate stability is measured using the F-21 Pad Test (ASTM D-6468).

Fuels should be treated with additives as close as possible to the cracking process. Additives should be continuously fed into the stream as it flows to storage to ensure proper and uniform additive concentrations in the fuel storage tank. GE can identify and apply the most appropriate additives from its SpecAid product line to ensure that your fuel products maintain their high quality during transport and storage.