Storing Biodiesel

We are now a year or two past the widespread mandates by state and local government officials instructing their agencies to use more green biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol.

Now in 2011, it is more common than in the past to find biodiesel blends up to 20% or more, being stored for use by diesel engines. Biodiesel is less stable in storage than regular diesel, which spells the potential for big problems for consumers and groups or entities that want to be greener by switching to these fuels. For the big picture, it’s a problem when we’re being told about things we should do (switch to greener fuels that are better for the environment) but yet we run into obstacles when we try to do the right thing. And that’s exactly what happens when consumers who need to store biodiesel and diesel fuel for long-term use (as in generators) try to switch from regular diesel to biodiesel.

Because of its nature, biodiesel tends to be less stable than regular diesel fuel – the part of the fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fat is inherently less stable than petroleum diesel and more likely to react with things like light, air, and water – all things that diesel fuel reacts with (especially air and water). Reacting with these things causes biodiesel to break apart, grow dark, and lose its clean-burning qualities. The problem for biodiesel users who want to keep this from happening is that most of the treatments available to protect diesel fuel from aging don’t work well in biodiesel itself - something to do with the chemical reactions specific to the bio-portion of the biodiesel fuel.

In addition, biodiesel provides a wonderful food for troublesome bacteria and fungi, which can easily get into stored biodiesel tanks and start growing and flourishing. Soon afterward, you end up with ruined biodiesel sitting in a storage tank full of microbes feasting on and multiplying in the biodiesel blend. When this happens, you need a powerful solution to fix this problem, or it is not going to go away.

To fix these problems in the marketplace, Bell Performance offers effective, money-saving solutions to consumers in need of answers. Bio Dee-Zol is available to users of biodiesel blends who must protect their fuel investments by keeping them stable and preventing their oxidation. DFS Plus controls water build-up - a primary contributor to conditions bacteria and microbes find favorable to grow and flourish. Bellicide destroys existing microbial contamination with a powerful formula (1 ounce treats 40 gallons) and also keeps microbes away for the best protection of costly stored biodiesel investments.

In this economy, few people can afford to flush money down the drain on expensive fuels that go bad waiting to be used. Bell Performance offers protection for your fuel investments that keep money in your pocket.

You might be interested in these related articles:

• 8 Signs of Diesel Fuel Contamination by Microbes, Fungus and Bacteria
• Storing Fuel Long Term
• Microbial Infestation of Fuel Tanks? Use a Fuel Cleaner for Bacteria