Antagonism between cloud point and cold filter plugging point depressants in a diesel fuel

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 74; no. 12; pp. 1830 - 1833
• Main Authors: Létoffé, Jean Marie, Claudy, Pierre, Vassilakis, Despina, Damin, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: additives; Applied sciences; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; diesel fuels; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; low-temperature properties; Petroleum products, gas and fuels. Motor fuels, lubricants and asphalts; additives; low-temperature properties; diesel fuels; Low temperature properties; Cloud point; Cold effects; Additives; Scanning calorimetry; Differential calorimetry; Filter; Depressant additive; Plugging; Diesel fuels; Experimental study; Mechanism of action
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(95)80015-A

Differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.) and thermomicroscopy were used to provide a better understanding of the antagonistic effect on cold filter plugging point (CFPP) when cloud point depressants (CPD) and CFPP additives are mixed into a diesel fuel. It is shown that the CFPP achieved by using only CFPP additive can be attained in the presence of CPD if a small, homogeneous size of crystals of paraffins is again obtained. Two ways are proposed to obtain this result: modification of the chemical structure of the CPD, and optimization of the concentration of each component of the blend. In either case a decrease in efficiency of the CPD is observed, but the antagonism disappears. It is possible to predict the efficiency of CFPP additives in a diesel fuel containing CPD by evaluation of T g of the hydrocarbon matrix and determination of the percentage of light n-alkanes by d.s.c.