THE ADDITIVE DOUBT

There are two distinct groups of diesel fuel additives: the tried-and-proven materials with specific, measurable benefits and proprietary additives aimed at fleet operators. The first group is regularly used by the refining industry and is sometimes offered to fleet operators too. The second group should be avoided as it includes additives that have been found to contain metallic elements and some that contain unduly large proportions of solvents, along with alcohols and various chemical compounds. Flow improvers, among the acceptable additives, are used to minimise the risk of fuel waxing during cold weekends. Few large operators use other, performance boosting, additives because they have to be used continuously at length to achieve their purpose, accumulating clearly-visible costs and hard to see benefits. In fuel quality terms additives are cost effective to the refiner, but when put into depot and vehicle fuel tanks, their pay-off is almost impossible to determine. A table is included which shows the benefits and problems with cetane improvers, flow improvers, de-hazers, anti-oxidants (stabilisers), metal deactivators, dispersants, deposit modifiers (detergents), corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and multi-purpose additives.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00203122
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Road Transport Engineeers

  1 Cromwell Place
  London SW1 25F,   England 
• Authors:
  • Savage, J
• Publication Date: 1989-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 41, 43
• Serial:
  • TRANSPORT ENGINEER
  • Publisher: Institute of Road Transport Engineeers
  • ISSN: 0020-3122

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Cost effectiveness; Fleet management; Fuel additives
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fleets
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00485459
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1989 12:00AM