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

This episode of the Fuel Pulse Show introduces a "Back to School" series, focusing on the differences between modern Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and older diesel fuels.

Host Eric Bjornstad explains how sulfur content in diesel fuel has been drastically reduced over the past 35 years due to environmental regulations. While this change has improved air quality, it has also led to new challenges in fuel management. ULSD is more prone to water absorption, microbial growth, and instability.

It also contains small amounts of biodiesel and has a lower aromatic content. The episode highlights the importance of understanding these changes for proper fuel storage and engine maintenance.

• The history of diesel fuel sulfur content regulations
• The definition and characteristics of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
• How ULSD differs from older diesel fuels in terms of water absorption
• The presence of biodiesel in modern diesel fuel and its benefits
• The impact of lower aromatic content on microbial growth in ULSD
• Why modern diesel fuel is less stable than its predecessors
• How ULSD is more susceptible to cold flow gelling in winter

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "In a span of about just 15 years, they reduced sulfur emissions by 99.7 percent from 5,000 down to 15 PPM."
• "ULSD fuels have bigger water problems than diesel fuels in the past. And it's directly tied to removing the sulfur."
• "While that has made it much better for the environment, the resulting fuel has more problems than before."

• Clean Air Act regulations
• Renewable Fuels Standard
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

00:00 - Introduction to the Fuel Pulse Show and the "Back to School" series
00:58 - History of diesel fuel sulfur content regulations
02:23 - Introduction to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
02:55 - ULSD's increased problems with water content
04:48 - Biodiesel content in modern diesel fuel
06:44 - Lower aromatic content in ULSD
08:13 - Decreased stability of modern diesel fuel
09:15 - ULSD's increased susceptibility to cold flow gelling
10:00 - Recap of ULSD's characteristics and challenges

This episode discusses the effects of prolonged hot weather on stored fuel and offers preventative measures. Heat accelerates fuel degradation, increases water buildup, and promotes microbial growth.

The host recommends three key steps to combat these issues: 1) Regularly check for water in storage tanks and remove it promptly. 2) Treat fuel with a stabilizer early in summer to slow degradation. 3) Conduct microbial testing, preferably using ATP By Filtration methodology, at the beginning and end of summer. If elevated microbial levels are detected, treat with biocide. These proactive steps can help maintain fuel quality and prevent costly problems in hot weather conditions.

• How prolonged heat exposure affects stored fuel
• The impact of temperature on fuel evaporation and composition
• Why hot weather increases water buildup in fuel tanks
• The connection between heat, water, and microbial growth in fuel
• Three key strategies to protect fuel during hot weather
• The advantages of quantifiable microbial testing methods
• Why ATP by Filtration is recommended for microbial testing
• How to approach microbial testing if you can't afford specialized equipment
• The importance of proactive fuel management in hot weather

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "Heat affects fuel by affecting its evaporation, changing the fuel's composition, accelerating fuel instability, increasing water buildup in the fuel, and by making microbial contamination markedly easier to develop."
• "Microbial contamination is killed by adding biocide to the contaminated fuel. It is not killed, it is not solved, by removing water, contrary to what some in the industry might want to say."
• "Doing ATP by filtration methodology requires a specialized piece of equipment called the Illuminometer. If we had to name a downside for ATP by filtration, the start-up cost could be a little higher."

• Biocide
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

Introduction [00:00:00]

Recap and Context [00:01:00]
- Follow-up to the previous episode on hot weather and fuel
- Focus on practical implications and protective measures

Effects of Heat on Stored Fuel [00:02:00]
- Increased evaporation rate
- Changes in fuel composition
- Acceleration of chemical reactions in fuel

Water-Related Issues [00:10:00]
- Increased water dissolution in fuel at higher temperatures
- Cycle of water absorption and release due to temperature changes
- Specific concerns for ethanol-blended gasoline

Microbial Contamination [00:14:00]
- Link between heat, water, and microbial growth
- Explanation of how microbes thrive in fuel systems

Best Practice Recommendations [00:16:00]
1. Regular water checks [00:17:00]
- Using tank stick and water paste
- Importance of immediate water removal

2. Early fuel stabilization [00:20:00]
- Adding stabilizer at the beginning of summer
- Options for late treatment

3. Microbial testing [00:22:00]
- Importance of quantifiable results
- ATP by filtration methodology
- Alternative testing options

Timing of Microbial Testing [00:29:00]
- Recommendation to test at the beginning and end of summer

Summary and Conclusion [00:30:00]
- Recap of main points
- Importance of proactive planning and commitment to fuel management

Closing Remarks [00:32:00]
- Call to subscribe and rate the podcast

This podcast episode discusses the impact of hot weather on fuel storage. The host, Eric Bjornstad, examines recent heat waves and record-breaking temperatures across the United States, citing specific examples from 2020 to 2023.

He explains how scientists measure and document extended heat periods, looking at factors like consecutive days above threshold temperatures and nighttime lows. The episode also delves into how researchers determine historical temperature data using methods like ice core samples, tree rings, and coral reef analysis.

This information sets the stage for a future discussion on how extreme heat affects stored fuel and best practices for mitigating these issues.

• The significance of recent heat waves and record-breaking temperatures
• Examples of extreme heat events from 2020-2023 across the U.S
• How scientists measure and document extended periods of heat
• The concept of "long period high temperatures" and its importance
• Methods used to estimate historical temperatures
• The scientific basis for claims about record-breaking global temperatures
• Introduction to how heat affects stored fuel (to be discussed in Part 2)
• The importance of considering sustained heat, not just daily highs
• The impact of nighttime temperatures on overall heat assessment
• How climate change discussions relate to fuel industry concerns

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "More than 200 places in the United States didn't just set their high temperature records, they set their records for it being hotter for longer than at any point in their particular histories."
• "The point is, temperatures everywhere and in every part of the United States, the evidence seems to show that those temperatures are getting hotter."
• "If you think about it, the nighttime temperatures and the high minimum temperatures, those aren't just important from an academic exercise standpoint. They're important for practical public health purposes because cooler nighttime temperatures typically provide relief from the daytime heat."

• https://community.wmo.int/en/climate-data-and-monitoring
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction to the Fuel Pulse Show podcast and the episode topic

[00:01:00] Discussion on the impact of hot weather on stored fuel

[00:02:00] Addressing the debate around global warming and climate change
- Mention of 2023 as the hottest year on record
- Countering narratives on social media

[00:03:00] Explanation of the difference between isolated heat waves and global temperature trends
- Discussion of the Dust Bowl phenomenon in the 1930s

[00:04:00] Recent heat records and trends
- Last eight years being the warmest on record
- Pacific Northwest heat dome of 2021

[00:06:00] Examples of extreme heat events in various U.S. locations
- Phoenix's 53 consecutive days over 110°F in 2020
- California's heat waves in 2020 and 2021
- Death Valley's record temperatures

[00:08:00] Explanation of "long period high temperatures"
- Over 200 U.S. locations setting records in August 2023

[00:10:00] Scientific methods for documenting extended heat
- Maximum temperature records
- Consecutive days above threshold temperatures
- Nighttime and high minimum temperatures

[00:13:00] Addressing claims about historical temperature records
- July 2-3, 2023, claimed as hottest days in 100,000 years

[00:16:00] Introduction to paleoclimatology and methods for estimating historical temperatures
- Ice core samples
- Tree ring analysis
- Coral reef examination

[00:20:00] Additional methods for studying past climate conditions
- Sediment core samples
- Isotope analysis

[00:23:00] Wrap-up and preview of Part 2
- Upcoming discussion on how heat affects stored fuel
- Best practices for addressing heat-related fuel problems

[00:24:00] Closing remarks and call for subscriptions and ratings