TECHNICAL BULLETIN

n. 15    

INCREASED WATER IN DIESEL FUEL CAUSED BY WATER VAPOUR CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR IN STORAGE TANKS

The water normally contained in Diesel fuel may increase due to the condensation of water vapour contained in the air present inside the storage tanks, both in industrial storage tanks and in the tanks of vehicles or watercraft.

Following successive fillings of the tanks, when the air inside them is renewed with air from outside, the condensed water vapour either mixes with the Diesel fuel, or gradually accumulates at the bottom of the tank. The amount of water collected can be higher than may be supposed, reaching approximate values of one litre of water after ten fillings in a tank of 10 m3 (double for a tank of 20 m3, and so on).

The presence of water in Diesel fuel and the accumulation of water in the tank should be minimised to avoid the two types of problem it causes:

1.      Seizures in injection systems in Diesel engines, whether large or small.

2.      The formation of algae and/or bacteria that foul the tanks and block filters in the fuel line.

In order to prevent these problems, it is necessary to decant the water and remove it by bleeding the tank, so that the water neither mixes with the Diesel fuel to be consumed nor accumulates in the tanks, as it would lead to the proliferation of algae and bacteria in the aqueous component of the fuel. If the water cannot be separated effectively, the use of bactericides and/or fungicides becomes necessary in the majority of cases.

Additives for Diesel fuel that favour the de-emulsification and decanting of water (in addition to other benefits) , like additives "rb bertomeu" "beco" series for Diesel oil, are recommended for maintaining the injection systems in good condition.

For further information on this subject, consult the following documents compiled by rb bertomeu (by clicking on the chosen link:)

- Action of the “rb bertomeu” beco DC additive on the condensation water in tanks & vessels and on the water of Diesel oil.

- Technical charactertistics of the "rb bertomeu" beco F-Plus Concentrated additive.

- Technical charactertistics of the "rb bertomeu" beco DC-Ship Concentrated additive.