About Antifreeze Additives for Fuels
These are chemicals designed to lower the freezing point and improve the cold flow properties of diesel, gasoline, biodiesel, and other liquid fuels. These additives are particularly important in cold climates where low temperatures can cause fuel gelling, wax formation, and fuel filter plugging, leading to engine performance issues and equipment downtime.
Fuel tanks can even freeze solid and in adverse conditions, some operators have resorted to lighting a fire under fuel tanks. A practice not recommended !
How antifreeze additives for fuels work and some common types:
Chemical Composition:
- Antifreeze additives typically contain compounds such as glycols (e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol), alcohols, or specialty polymers. These chemicals act as cryoprotectants by lowering the freezing point of the fuel and inhibiting the formation of ice crystals or wax particles.
Cold Flow Improvers:
- Many antifreeze additives also function as cold flow improvers, which help prevent fuel gelling and wax precipitation at low temperatures. These additives modify the crystalline structure of paraffinic hydrocarbons in diesel and biodiesel fuels, preventing them from forming solid deposits that can clog fuel filters and fuel lines.
‘Pour Point’ Depressants:
- Are a type of antifreeze additive that lowers the ‘pour point’ of the fuel, allowing it to flow more easily at cold temperatures. These additives work by modifying the shape and size of wax crystals, preventing them from agglomerating and obstructing fuel flow.
Performance Enhancers:
- Some antifreeze additives may also include performance-enhancing properties such as detergency, lubricity, and corrosion inhibition. These additives help maintain fuel system cleanliness, reduce wear on engine components, and protect against corrosion, particularly in marine and automotive applications.
Compatibility:
- It’s essential to use antifreeze additives that are compatible with the type of fuel being treated and with other fuel additives that may be present. Compatibility testing and consultation with fuel suppliers or additive manufacturers can help ensure proper additive selection and application.
Dosage and Mixing:
- Antifreeze additives are typically added to fuel at recommended dosages based on factors such as fuel type, ambient temperature, and desired performance characteristics. Proper mixing and dispersion of the additive in the fuel are crucial to ensure uniform treatment and effective performance.
Regulatory Compliance:
- When using antifreeze additives for fuels, it’s important to comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards related to fuel quality, environmental impact, and occupational health and safety. Ensure that additives used are approved for use in specific fuel applications and meet relevant regulatory specifications.
FORTecx R&D
FORTecx additives are chemically designed to offer a comprehensive range of advantages, and providing significant antifreeze properties is an important ingredient. However, since the need for low temperature protection is somewhat of a specialist, season-sensitive requirement, rather than a specific antifreeze product, FORTecx has concentrated on having the antifreeze properties of its general products enhance by simply increasing its dosage %.
As with all FORTecx chemical formulas, all its elements and ingredients are ‘green’, sourced from sustainable processes and eco safe.
IP& Patents
The antifreeze properties of FORTecx’s additives are covered in FORTecx’s general chemical formula IPs. Therefore its future advances in antifreeze properties will be encapsulated in FORTecx’s new patent applications.