SA Graan Augustus 2018

Focus

Implements & equipment

Augustus 2018

Best practices in

fuel handling

and

storage

ith the increased demand for engines to comply with

global emissions regulations and the adoption of

newer technologies in the manufacturing of modern

engines, it is becoming more important for owners of

engine operated equipment to be warier of the fuel they put into

their equipment.

Modern engines are developed with electronically controlled fuel

injection systems and more advanced engine components to mini-

mise environmental pollution and increase engine performance and

fuel efficiency. These engines operate at very high pressures and

very small tolerances to achieve the above.

On some of these engines, combustion related problems are

becoming more common, with the cause being mostly poor fuel

quality and contamination. Symptoms like reduced engine output,

ignition difficulties, increased fuel consumption, irregular exhaust

gas temperatures and colour, turbo and injector failures as well as

shortened engine life are more prominent. These engines also nor-

mally operate on low sulphur fuel (≤50 ppm) or ultra-low sulphur

fuel (≤15 ppm). It is therefore important to supply the engines with a

good quality and clean fuel for optimum performance.

Although the diesel from the refineries and petroleum companies

in South Africa complies with the most recent South African Na-

tional Standards, improper handling, transportation or storage of

these fuels can lead to deficient quality of the fuel. Some common

contributors to poorer quality fuel include:

Mixing or diluting of fuel with foreign liquids such as water,

unapproved additives or other oil-based liquids.

Poor breather and filtration systems on bulk tanks, as well as

mobile fuel carts.

Poor condition, cleanliness and maintenance of bulk tanks, as

well as mobile fuel carts.

The latter two causes can result in rust, dirt, moist air, water, algae

or sludge accumulating in bulk tanks as well as mobile fuel carts.

These contaminants together with poor lubricity characteristics

are amongst the most common contributors observed in fuel relat

ed engine and component failures over a prolonged period of time.

With good housekeeping procedures, most of these problems can

be minimised to ensure optimum performance and engine life. It

is very important to purchase fuel from a well-known and author-

ised fuel supplier. If fuel of a poor quality is used, it can also lead to

combustion related failures.

Fuel with poor lubricity will damage fuel injection components

and the injection needles can become sticky or worn. If fuel was

treated with unapproved liquids it can also cause deposits to form

on the injection components that can result in sticky injector nee-

dles. Worn or sticky injector needles cause fuel delivery and

combustion problems, leading to increased exhaust gas tempera-

tures which can result in premature turbo and engine failures. It is

therefore important to do background checks and inspect delivery

equipment to ensure the supplier has proper quality checks in

place with well-maintained equipment.

Customers can also request certification documents from their

fuel supplier to ensure it meets the minimum standards. The most

recent published standards documentation (SANS 342:2016) can

be procured from the SABS web store. In summary, the question a

customer may ask is ‘Who will take accountability if I have fuel re-

lated failure on my equipment?’

Contamination

Contamination from solids or foreign liquids can be minimised by

installing breather filters with air driers on bulk tanks as well as

mobile fuel carts. This will prevent dust and moisture from entering

these tanks when fuel is drawn from tanks. Particle contamination

Stephan Nel

and

Wessel Oosthuizen,

John Deere

1a and 1b: The way fuel is transported to the field on dusty roads,

with the breather of the mobile fuel cart being just an open pipe

and with the outlet hose and nozzle not covered, increases the

contamination of the fuel.

2a and 2b: Insufficient storage conditions of fuel include those in

barrels exposed to rough elements of nature and also bulk storage

tanks without filtration and breathers.

3a and 3b: Improper maintenance and sealing of equipment fuel tanks.

With Tier 4 engines, cleanliness of the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) dosing

module is also critical to ensure proper operation of equipment.