www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2014 17
of No. 2 ULSD is 20 degrees, when mixed
with REG-9000/10, the B11 cloud point
of the Bioheat fuel oil would be 36 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Once you know the cloud point, you
can begin testing the effectiveness of cold
weather additives. For best results, intro-
duce the additive while the fuel is in
motion. Testing the effectiveness of the
fuel after pouring in the additive is a
simple process. First, take a small sample
of the additized fuel and place in a refrig-
erator for a day; if particles or residue
develop, make a new sample with more
additive content and repeat the process.
If there is no visible benefit at a level of
1 ounce of additive per 3 gallons (or one
part additive per 400 parts fuel), then it is
best to switch additives.
It's all about the blend
No matter what percentage of type of
additive is blended with the heating oil,
to achieve a homogeneous blend, always
blend with both fuels at least 10 degrees
above their respective cloud points. A
blending temperature of 70 degrees or
higher is ideal when adding biodiesel to
heating oil.
Selecting the correct blending method
is an important step to ensuring that the
blended fuel will maintain its quality in
adverse weather. In-line blending is ideal
for creating a consistent blended product,
and in many cases is the preferred meth-
od when blending cold B99 biodiesel with
heating fuel oil.
However, in-tank blending is also a
viable option. While more effective when
blending warm biodiesel with heating oil,
the in-tank method relies on significant
agitation and proper loading, and can
be done with either the top-loading or
bottom-loading blending methods.
"We highly recommend that tanks are
kept as warm as possible, as it helps with
the flowability of the product. It helps to
make sure that the Bioheat fuel oil will
not gel in the winter. We still want to
ensure that when we are delivering fuel oil
to a customers' home it is able to flow and
to be maintained," Erickson said.
In addition, Bioheat blended fuel oil
retailers may want to consider insulat-
ing or heating the transfer lines (to and
from the tanks and to and from the
delivery trucks) to ensure there are no
impediments that could affect the flow
of the fuel.
Tank maintenance combined with
proper heating oil blending can have a
significant influence on the performance
of biodiesel blends in cold weather condi-
tions. From knowing the cloud point to
adhering to the proper care of tanks and
lines, heating oil retailers can prolong the
functional life of Bioheat fuel oil with a
few dedicated protocols.
Fuels
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