Diesel engines and vehicles make up about a third of the entire transportation fleet in the U.S. Used to power diesel cars, trucks, ships, locomotives, farm, construction and mining equipment, the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel is directly linked to the amount of pollution produced when the fuel is burned in the engine. Pollution from diesel exhaust includes soot or particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and other hazardous air pollutants, which have proven to have serious human health and environmental effects. In 2006, the EPA issued a mandate requiring that all highway diesel fuel supplied to the market after 2010 be ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel), reducing sulfur levels in fuel from as many as 5,000 parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm for highway diesel vehicles. Between 2007-2014, low sulfur (500 pppm) and ULSD (15 ppm) fuel was phased in for non-road, locomotive and marine diesel fuel as well. Consequently, today's diesel powered vehicles feature low emission engines that are environmentally advantageous, but more susceptible than ever to diesel fuel related wear. These newer engines contain an emissions-reducing device called a particulate filter that traps the tiny particles of soot in the exhaust fumes. The filter uses a sensor that measures back pressure, or the force required to push the exhaust gases out of the engine and through the tailpipes. The mandate of the EPA to reduce sulfur content of diesel fuels, however, has resulted in the elimination of certain naturally occurring, polar compounds that protect the fuel system from wear by forming a protective layer on the metal surfaces of the fuel injection system. The increased use of the hydrotreating and hydrocracking refining processes to produce the maximum 15 ppm ultra low sulfur diesel fuel causes these naturally occurring polar compounds to become either chemically altered or entirely removed, resulting in the need for diesel fuel additives to enhance the quality and efficiency of fuels. Although, in theory, proper additives should already be mixed into your fuel upon purchase, extensive research has revealed wide gaps in the quality of diesel fuel available in different countries. "Premium" diesel is defined by four properties: cetane number, low-temperature operability, thermal stability and fuel-injector cleanliness, but regulations are lax at best. The number and types of additives can vary considerably and some, such as water removers, are not utilized at all by petroleum refineries. Such substandard fuels have the tendency to wear vital components, cause stickiness in valves and clog filters, potentially resulting in decreased engine life. Aftermarket fuel additives, on the other hand, contain additives that refineries and distributors don't use, working against the majority of problems related to diesel fuel quality. Among the many benefits that fuel additives offer are:
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Enhanced Safety: Users of fuel additives experience a reduced risk of of static discharge, which can result in fire and explosions
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Cost Savings: Fuel additives help protect fuel tanks, pipelines and other equipment from corrosion and fuel system equipment from premature wear
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Performance Enhancement: Optimized vehicle performance and economy resulting in fuel savings
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Reduced Emissions: Cleaner fuel systems and combustion optimization
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Higher Cetane Numbers: Improved cold temperature starting and idling for all engines
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Low-Temperature Operability: Fuel won't gel up and clog the fuel lines or fuel filter
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Fuel Injector Cleanliness: Added detergents that help keep fuel injectors clean
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Increased Lubricity: Low sulfur fuel has less lubricity and absorbs water more readily. Many additives have a lubricity improver by itself or in combination with other chemicals
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Increased Thermal Stability: Fuel additives can help support the fuel's ability to resist particle formation as it circulates from the tank to the engine and back again
The EPA regulates additives due to their impact on emissions. Among those registered and deemed compliant with the EPA's standards are
Schaeffer Fuel Additives. Schaeffer products undergo a rigorous testing and development process to ensure quality and compatibility, in addition to stringent performance standards. Schaeffer is commited to manufacturing products that are not only cost effective, but environmentally responsible. Their biodegradable oils provide superior protection in environmentally sensitive areas while protecting equipment and reducing energy. For a current list of
registered EPA manufacturers or to learn more about
Schaeffer Oil additives be sure to visit the
EPA website.
