The problem of diesel fuel purification before filling the fuel tank is quite relevant even despite the existence of special filters installed in vehicles. The thing is, the stability of an engine is largely determined by the initial purity of the fuel used. If it is heavily contaminated, not every filter can provide the necessary degree of purification. To protect yourself from engine and fuel system damage caused by diesel pollution, refuel only at trusted gas stations. But what to do when fuel contamination occurred during storage? How to clean diesel fuel in home conditions?
The first thing that comes to mind is the settling method. Fuel is poured into a large clean container, and then left to settle for two or three weeks. After this time diesel fuel is drained from the container into the tank by a manual pump, which is connected to a fine filter. You have to be very careful not to drain the sediment formed at the bottom of the container. It is the part where all harmful contaminants are deposited. Usually it is visible to the naked eye. Sediment layer thickness is typically about five centimeters.
Large road-transport enterprises tend to use the separation method to clean diesel fuel. Special devices, centrifuges, are used. They allow removing solid impurities and water. The purification procedure does not end at that: a multi-ply paper filter follows.
Such an approach is not optimal for small fleets, so they use additives. They are special substances added to diesel fuel in small amounts in order to improve its performance. Additives prevent clogging of fuel system nozzles, formation of soot on plugs and pistons, as well as displace water from fuel.
At facilities engaged in cleaning tanks at oil depots and refineries, the drained fuel can be immediately separated, purified and clarified using GlobeCore UVR-type plants. This equipment is able to work with virtually all light fractions of petroleum products: diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, heating oil and various types of mineral oils.
Purification of diesel fuel by means of UVR-type plants removes water, solids and hydrogen sulfide compounds, reduces sulfur concentration, decreases paraffin content and removes unsaturated hydrocarbons. The purified diesel fuel is not re-oxidized and does not darken again.