Biodiesel Issues

[Stemar]

I've recently had to look at the storage of diesel and came across this little gem:

"Brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin, and zinc may catalyze the oxidation of FAME
accelerating the formation of insoluble gels and salts. Lead solders and zinc linings should be avoided, as should copper pipes, brass regulators, and copper fittings.

Affected equipment should be replaced with stainless steel, carbon steel, or
aluminium"

From a rather too techie report to be digestible, but it isn't the first reference I've seen.

I suspect a fair few of us have copper fuel pipes, brass fittings, lead solder holding things together, not to mention galvanised tanks. I'm not sure about my fuel tank as it's glassed in, but I tick off everything else

Is there an expert in the house who can say whether there's any need for concern?

 

[ianj99]

I've recently had to look at the storage of diesel and came across this little gem:

"Brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin, and zinc may catalyze the oxidation of FAME
accelerating the formation of insoluble gels and salts. Lead solders and zinc linings should be avoided, as should copper pipes, brass regulators, and copper fittings.

Affected equipment should be replaced with stainless steel, carbon steel, or
aluminium"

From a rather too techie report to be digestible, but it isn't the first reference I've seen.

I suspect a fair few of us have copper fuel pipes, brass fittings, lead solder holding things together, not to mention galvanised tanks. I'm not sure about my fuel tank as it's glassed in, but I tick off everything else

Is there an expert in the house who can say whether there's any need for concern?

UK pump fuels (road diesel) only contain upto 15% biodiesel and most are around 5% so the concentration of FAME is not high enough to worry about.
Red diesel doesn't contain any as far as I know.

In fact should FAME concentration was higher, its not the just the tanks and fuel lines you should worry about, but the effect on the fuel system seals on older marine diesels.

 

[sarabande]

I understand that red diesel delivered to farms contains FAME, which is why we now dose the storage tanks.

 

[gordmac]

A friend sent me something from the historic vehicle guys about biofuels, can't find it at the moment but worth a trawl round their site as it is a major consideration even for cars that aren't that old.

 

[davidej]

Have you ever read the warning leaflets given with prescription drugs? They warn of every conceivable side effect (including death) and if you worried too you would never take them.

I imagine these warnings are pretty similar

 

[Monique]

FWIW, all aviation Jet Fuels now contain a not negligeable amount of bio diesel.

This fuel is contaminated by an air carried bacteria and aircraft which do not fly much should have a biocide added from time to time in order to keep the growth in check.

Most airliners are not affected as their level of use is such that the stagnant fuel never has time to really blossom into a "sludge" in their tanks.

I add a biocide at every fill.