Technical Paper
The Influence of Fuel Additives on the Cold Climate Operation of Diesel Engines
1992-02-01
920036
Wax formation in diesel fuel can seriously inhibit the liquid flow characteristics, block filters and reduce the cold operability of diesel vehicles. The cold flow properties of fuels are usually quantified using laboratory techniques. The paper describes the ways that fuel waxing can influence the performance of vehicles and how techniques are being developed to evaluate the benefit of cold flow improving additives. Researchers often turn to laboratory tests to improve research progress. The credibility of two new test techniques is discussed. Reductions in fuel ignition quality can seriously influence cold starting and emissions. Work carried out to evaluate the cold starting qualities of ethanol with two different ignition improvers is discussed.