In this Fuel Pulse Show podcast episode, host Erik Bjornstad delves deeper into the complexities of diesel fuel gelling. Building on previous discussions about cloud point and cold filter plug point temperatures, Bjornstad explains how temperature patterns, not just absolute temperatures, affect fuel gelling.

He presents four common temperature scenarios and their impacts on diesel fuel, highlighting the importance of sustained cold periods and sudden temperature drops. The episode emphasizes that while typical cloud points for diesel fuels are around 16-17°F, individual fuel compositions and temperature change rates play crucial roles in gelling behavior. Bjornstad concludes by previewing the next episode on prevention strategies.

• How temperature patterns affect diesel fuel gelling
• The impact of sustained cold periods on wax formation in diesel fuel
• The difference between gradual and sudden temperature drops on fuel gelling
• Why individual fuel compositions matter in predicting gelling behavior
• The importance of understanding cloud point and cold filter plug point temperatures
• How uncertainty in exact fuel properties affects preparation strategies

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "Diesel fuel clouding and gelling doesn't just have to do with how cold it's getting, it's affected a lot by how the temperature goes up and down."
• "Steep and quick temperature drops actually make paraffin waxes come out of the fuel to a greater extent than a gradual or steady decline, even if you're talking about going down to the same temperature in both scenarios."
• "You do not know that short of having it tested. And this margin of uncertainty is going to impact the recommendations for how and when you should prepare for these problems."

• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction and recap of previous episode on diesel fuel jelling
[00:01:00] Explanation of how temperature patterns affect fuel jelling
[00:02:00] Introduction to various temperature scenarios
[00:03:00] Scenario 1: Temperature drops and rises above cloud point
[00:04:00] Scenario 2: Temperature stays close to cloud point for days
[00:05:00] Scenario 3: Temperature drops steadily below cloud point
[00:06:00] Scenario 4: Sharp temperature drops and their effects
[00:07:00] Review of key points and preview of next episode
[00:08:00] Closing remarks and call to subscribe

In this episode of the Fuel Pulse Show podcast, host Erik Bjornstad explores diesel fuel's behavior in cold temperatures. He explains the fuel's composition, focusing on paraffin wax molecules and their role in cold weather problems.

The episode covers key concepts such as cloud point and cold filter plug point, detailing how paraffin wax crystallization occurs and affects fuel performance. Bjornstad provides typical temperature ranges for these phenomena and discusses factors influencing fuel gelling. The episode concludes with a preview of future content on temperature patterns and prevention strategies for cold weather fuel issues.

• The composition of diesel fuel and the role of paraffin wax molecules
• How temperature affects the solubility of paraffin wax in diesel fuel
• The concept of cloud point and its typical temperature range
• The process of wax crystallization and its impact on fuel performance
• The definition and importance of cold filter plug point
• Factors influencing the difference between cloud point and cold filter plug point
• Why gasoline and kerosene don't have the same gelling problems as diesel fuel

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "Diesel fuel is actually a mixture or a blend of a bunch of different petroleum hydrocarbon molecules of varying sizes and shapes."
• "The temperature at which enough of these crystals have come out of solution that you can see them in the fuel, that is called the cloud point of the fuel."
• "Cold filter plug point temperature, when you're looking at that, it's not just the fuel, you've also got the factor of the filter that's involved."

• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction to the episode's topic: What happens to diesel fuel in cold temperatures
[00:01:00] Explanation of diesel fuel composition and paraffin wax
[00:02:00] Discussion of how paraffin wax becomes insoluble as fuel cools
[00:03:00] Introduction to the concept of cloud point
[00:04:00] Typical cloud point temperature for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel
[00:05:00] Explanation of wax crystallization process as temperature drops
[00:06:00] Discussion of what happens when temperature stays cold or drops further
[00:07:00] Explanation of how wax buildup affects fuel filters and engine operation
[00:08:00] Introduction to cold filter plug point temperature
[00:09:00] Comparison of cloud point and cold filter plug point temperatures
[00:10:00] Recap of key points learned about diesel fuel in cold temperatures
[00:11:00] Preview of next episode's content
[00:12:00] Closing remarks and call to action for listeners

In this episode of the Fuel Pulse Show, host Erik Bjornstad delves into the basics of long-term diesel fuel storage. He explains that diesel fuel begins to degrade almost immediately after refining due to unstable molecules and environmental factors like heat, oxygen, water, and microbial contamination.

Bjornstad discusses various tests to assess fuel health, including water and sediment, oxidative stability, and microbial testing. He recommends removing water and biomass, eliminating microbial contamination, and using fuel stabilizers to slow degradation.

The episode emphasizes the importance of early intervention and regular maintenance to extend the life of stored diesel fuel, providing valuable insights for fuel storage management.

• The chemical processes that occur in stored diesel fuel
• Factors that accelerate fuel degradation during storage
• How to assess the health and stability of stored fuel
• Key tests for evaluating fuel condition, including water and sediment, oxidative stability, and microbial tests
• Methods to slow down fuel degradation and extend storage life
• The importance of removing water and biomass from stored fuel
• Why addressing microbial contamination is crucial for fuel stability
• The role of fuel stabilizers in preserving fuel quality
• Best practices for maintaining stored diesel fuel over long periods
• The significance of early intervention in fuel storage management

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "Heat speeds up all of those chemical reactions linked to degrading the fuel. This kind of process always happens faster in hot weather than cold weather."
• "Using a fuel stabilizer is an essential step to stopping the oxidative and other chemical reactions that, if left unchecked, will result in stored fuel degradation."
• "Even if you could avoid every single one of these, you would still have reactive precursor molecules already in the fuel that would start to attack healthy fuel molecules virtually from day one."

• ASTM 975 (referenced in relation to the water and sediment test)
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

00:00 - Introduction and episode topic
00:59 - What happens when fuel is stored
01:59 - Factors that speed up fuel degradation
03:59 - Ways to assess fuel health and stability
05:59 - Key tests for evaluating stored fuel condition
07:59 - Methods to slow down fuel degradation
09:59 - Conclusion and recap