Technical Committee Fuel Oils
Influence of the aging of middle distillates with alternative components on the functionality and assessment of additives according to No-Harm tests
To examine the effect of additives on fuel properties, as well as to identify possible
interactions, the so-called no-harm tests can be applied. The DGMK published tests
in their project 646-1, which can be used for the examination of additives in heating
oil, and the AGQM developed criteria for additives for FAME in diesel fuels. In this
project, the influence of different fuels and fuel types on the fulfilment of the no-harm
criteria was tested for different additive types. Other examinations regarding stress
tests on the fuels were conducted, in two different laboratory methods as well as in a
test rig which mimics real conditions in a heating oil burner. Significant differences
regarding the pass or fail of the different no-harm tests were found for the different
fuels. Almost all the results of analyses for fuels with antioxidants were better than
the corresponding sample without additive, however, increased amounts of
sediments were found in the stress-tests. Flow and lubricity improvers showed less
impact on the properties of fuels. During the runs of the test rig, sediments were
found in several of the relevant components, but the amount decreased significantly
in the samples where the antioxidant was used. All the results of the analyses
conducted after the end of the test runs were better in the samples with the additive,
compared to the sample without the additive. A simulation of refuelling processes
showed no negative interactions between the additive and the autoxidation products.
The additive fulfilled its purpose in the mixtures as well as in a fresh product.
The IGF project (17139 N) of the research association DGMK Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Erdöl, Erdgas und Kohle e.V., Überseering 40, 22297 Hamburg was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy via the AiF within the framework of the programme for the promotion of joint industrial research (IGF) on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.