Episode 058 - Back To School - Diesel Gelling Temps

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.

Listen to the Full Episode:

What You'll Learn:

• 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

Ideas Worth Sharing:

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."

Resources:

• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

Show Notes:

[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