If your standby power
source is a diesel generator, the odds are one in eight that the fuel that's
supposed to operate the engine fails to meet oil-refinery specifications.
Furthermore, if the fuel has been stored at your data center for more than
three months, there's a 50-50 chance that the fuel is seriously contaminated
with water or algae, posing a threat to the generator as well as to essential
functions that are supposed to be protected by the engine during an emergency.
Today, it is common for purchasers
to buy fuel that's contaminated up to 20 percent by water from condensation or
by particulates from inadequate transportation and storage. Such contamination
affects all diesel-powered equipment.
In short, diesel fuel quality is at
an all-time low, and there appear to be no prospects for immediate improvement.
Why the decline? Changing oil
refinery standards contribute to the problem. To get more products per Naira,
diesel fuel is now being refined from more marginal portions of the crude-oil
barrel. Ultimately, this results in a lower-grade product that is inherently
thicker and more susceptible to acute water contamination.
Mainly, however, the decline in fuel
quality is due to the greater popularity of diesel power and the resulting
increased demand for diesel fuel. In the past, such fuel remained in an oil
refinery's storage tanks long enough for water to naturally separate and
settle, allowing it to be drawn off; now, with demand up, diesel fuel seldom
remains stationary long enough to separate. With global demand showing no signs
of slowing down, this problem is likely to persist.
The result: suspended water is
passed along to the purchaser.
How much water must be present before damage is likely to
occur? Manufacturers set a general limit
of 16 ppm to 18 ppm, but water in any amount is a serious threat to machinery
and must be eliminated, if possible.
Why bother?
Understanding the threat that water poses to a diesel generator means realizing
the added burdens that are placed upon diesel fuel (as opposed to gasoline).
Gasoline acts as a fuel only; diesel fuel, on the other hand, acts not only as
a fuel but also must cool and lubricate injection-system parts.
Such parts are engineered to incredibly
precise tolerances (up to 0.0002 inches) and any type of contamination means
rapid wear or seizure. Water not only displaces diesel fuel as a coolant and
lubricant for the components; it also acts as a cutting agent, scouring and
damaging injection system parts.
Water that enters the combustion
chamber results in even more equipment damage. For example, when water comes in
contact with the heat of the combustion chamber (more than 2,000 degrees F), it
immediately turns to steam and often explodes the tip of the injector.
Keep in mind that the injection
system is the heart of the diesel engine and represents, on average, 30 percent
of the cost of the unit. Repairing these parts is measured in thousands of
Naira in replacement costs.
Water is heavier than diesel fuel
and will separate from it if the storage container remains relatively
undisturbed for a period of time in an end-user's bulk-storage tanks, for
example. Furthermore, the less frequently the fuel is used (as in standby
applications), the more likely water will separate and cause damage.
This characteristic of water (that
it is heavier than diesel fuel) is the key to its removal because water cannot be separated from diesel fuel
by conventional filters. The only way to remove it, and to keep water out
of the engine, is through the use of a fuel/water separator.
Removing water is important not only
to improve combustibility, but also to prevent corrosion in tanks, lines, and
injectors. Such corrosions contribute to diesel fuel deterioration by enhancing
the environment for bacteria that feed on nitrogen, sulfur and iron oxides.
In fact, diesel fuel begins to
deteriorate as soon as it is produced, a problem that poses no real threat if
the fuel is consumed quickly. However, such fuel may be stored for years in a
standby power system; such deterioration affects the fuel's pumpability and
combustibility as well as the degree of damage that it could cause to the
engine.
Catalytically cracked diesel fuels,
which are common today, are especially susceptible to deterioration. As
catalytically cracked diesel fuels age, they tend to repolymerize, forming
sub-micronic particles that scour expensive fuel-metering injectors.
As the process continues, the
repolymerized molecular chain becomes longer and longer, forming agglomerates
and sludge. This sludge plugs filters and causes injectors to "drool"
or "slobber," thereby diluting the crankcase oil with fuel.
Diluted crankcase oil leads directly
to bearing failure and shortened engine life.
Bulk-storage quality maintenance
systems (such as those operated by Joseto
global services Ltd) for diesel and biodiesel fuel are very effective in
reducing contaminants in fuel-storage tanks.
Our exclusive products and services are only for the most
advanced and pre-qualified organizations like yours to ensure that you
get the most out of Diesel Generator. benefits from this opportunity are
endless. Our elite employees comprised of the most dynamic leaders in the Tank
cleaning and diesel purification services, who will give their unique
professional and technical expertise in Tank cleaning and diesel purification
services. Please contact me on 08062735545/08084606700 or
josetoglobalservices@gmail.com for more information on how we can manage your
diesel fuel.
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