Fuel Additive Testing Has Been Done!

[Mopar1973Man]

I found this on another web site... I copied as it was posted and brought it here...

The following are the preliminary results of a research study on diesel fuel Lubricity Additives. There is likely to be further commentary and explanation added at a future time.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this research was to determine the ability of multiple diesel fuel additives to replace the vital lubricity component in ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel) fuel.

HISTORY:

ULSD fuel is the fuel currently mandated for use in all on road diesel engines. This fuel burns cleaner and is less polluting than it’s predecessor, called Low Sulfer Diesel Fuel. Low sulfer fuel contained less than 500 ppm of sulfer. ULSD contains 15 ppm or less.

As diesel fuel is further refined to remove the polluting sulfer, it is inadvertently stripped of its lubricating properties. This vital lubrication is a necessary component of the diesel fuel as it prevents wear in the fuel delivery system. Specifically, it lubricates pumps, high pressure pumps and injectors. Traditional Low sulfer diesel fuel typically contained enough lubricating ability to suffice the needs of these vital components. ULSD fuel, on the other hand, is considered to be very “dry” and incapable of lubricating vital fuel delivery components. As a result, these components are at risk of premature and even catastrophic failure when ULSD fuel is introduced to the system. As a result, all oil companies producing ULSD fuel must replace the lost lubricity with additives. All ULSD fuel purchased at retail fuel stations SHOULD be adequately treated with additives to replace this lost lubricity. The potential result of using inadequately treated fuel, as indicated above, can be catastrophic. There have been many documented cases of randomly tested samples of diesel fuel. These tests prove that often times the fuel we purchase is not adequately treated and may therefore contribute to accelerated wear of our fuel delivery systems. For this reason it may be prudent to use an after market diesel fuel additive to ENSURE adequate lubrication of the fuel delivery system. Additionally, many additives can offer added benefits such as cetane improver, and water separators or emulsifiers.

CONTENT:

In this study we will test multiple diesel fuel additives designed to replace lost lubricity. The primary component of this study is a side-by-side laboratory analysis of each additive’s ability to replace this vital lubricity. Additionally, claims of improving cetane, water separation or emulsification, bio-diesel compatibility and alcohol content will be noted. These notes were derived from information that was readily available to consumers (via the label and internet information) and none of this information has been evaluated for validity and/or performance. Cetane information has only been noted if the word “cetane” was used in the advertising information. The words “improves power” has not been translated to mean “improves cetane” in this evaluation. Information on alcohol content is provided by indicating “contains no alcohol”. Omission of the words “contains no alcohol” does not imply that it does contain alcohol. This information was simply missing in the information available to a consumer. However, the possibility of a form of alcohol in these products is possible. Additionally, information on dosages and cost per tankful are included for comparison purposes.

How Diesel Fuel Is Evaluated For Lubricating Ability:

Diesel fuel and other fluids are tested for lubricating ability using a device called a “High Frequency Reciprocating Rig” or HFRR. The HFRR is currently the Internationally accepted, standardized method to evaluate fluids for lubricating ability. It uses a ball bearing that reciprocates or moves back and forth on a metal surface at a very high frequency for a duration of 90 minutes. The machine does this while the ball bearing and metal surface are immersed in the test fluid (in this case, treated diesel fuel). At the end of the test the ball bearing is examined under a microscope and the “wear scar” on the ball bearing is measured in microns. The larger the wear scar, the poorer the lubricating ability of the fluid. Southwest Research runs every sample twice and averages the size of the wear scar.

The U.S. standard for diesel fuel says a commercially available diesel fuel should produce a wear scar of no greater than 520 microns. The Engine Manufacturers Association had requested a standard of a wear scar no greater than 460 microns, typical of the pre-ULSD fuels. Most experts agree that a 520 micron standard is adequate, but also that the lower the wear scar the better.

METHOD:

An independent research firm in Texas was hired to do the laboratory work. The cost of the research was paid for voluntarily by the participating additive manufacturers. Declining to participate and pay for the research were the following companies: Amsoil and Power Service. Because these are popular products it was determined that they needed to be included in the study. These products were tested using funds collected by diesel enthusiasts at “dieselplace.com”. Additionally, unconventional additives such as 2-cycle oil and used motor oil were tested for their abilities to aid in diesel fuel lubricity. These were also paid for by members of “dieselplace.com”.

The study was conducted in the following manner:

-The Research firm obtained a quantity of “untreated” ULSD fuel from a supplier. This fuel was basic ULSD fuel intended for use in diesel engines. However, this sample was acquired PRIOR to any attempt to additize the fuel for the purpose of replacing lost lubricity. In other words, it was a “worst case scenario, very dry diesel fuel” that would likely cause damage to any fuel delivery system. This fuel was tested using the HFRR at the Southwest Research Laboratory. This fuel was determined to have a very high HFRR score of 636 microns, typical of an untreated ULSD fuel. It was determined that this batch of fuel would be utilized as the baseline fuel for testing all of the additives. The baseline fuel HFRR score of 636 would be used as the control sample. All additives tested would be evaluated on their ability to replace lost lubricity to the fuel by comparing their scores to the control sample. Any score under 636 shows improvement to the fuels ability to lubricate the fuel delivery system of a diesel engine.

BLIND STUDY:

In order to ensure a completely unbiased approach to the study, the following steps were taken:

Each additive tested was obtained independently via internet or over the counter purchases. The only exceptions were Opti-Lube XPD and the bio-diesel sample. The reason for this is because Opti-Lube XPD additive was considered “experimental” at the time of test enrollment and was not yet on the market. It was sent directly from Opti-Lube company. The bio-diesel sample was sponsored by Renewable Energy Group. One of their suppliers, E.H. Wolf and Sons in Slinger, Wisconsin supplied us with a sample of 100% soybean based bio-diesel. This sample was used to blend with the baseline fuel to create a 2% bio-diesel for testing.

Each additive was bottled separately in identical glass containers. The bottles were labeled only with a number. This number corresponded to the additive contained in the bottle. The order of numbering was done randomly by drawing names out of a hat. Only Spicer Research held the key to the additives in each bottle.

The additive samples were then sent in a box to Southwest Research. The only information given them was the ratio of fuel to be added to each additive sample. For example, bottle “A” needs to be mixed at a ratio of “480-1”. The ratio used for each additive was the “prescribed dosage” found on the bottle label for that product. Used motor oil and 2-cycle oil were tested at a rationally chosen ratio of 200:1.

The Research Laboratory mixed the proper ratio of each “bottled fluid” into a separate container containing the baseline fuel. The data, therefore, is meaningful because every additive is tested in the same way using the same fuel. A side-by-side comparison of the effectiveness of each additive is now obtainable.

THE RESULTS:

These results are listed in the order of performance in the HFRR test. The baseline fuel used in every test started at an HFRR score of 636. The score shown is the tested HFRR score of the baseline fuel/additive blend.

Also included is the wear scar improvement provided by the additive as well as other claimed benefits of the additive. Each additive is also categorized as a Multi-purpose additive, Multi-purpose + anti-gel, Lubricity only, non-conventional, or as an additive capable of treating both gasoline and diesel fuel.

As a convenience to the reader there is also information on price per treated tank of diesel fuel (using a 26 gallon tank), and dosage per 26 gallon tank provided as “ounces of additive per 26 gallon tank”.

In Order Of Performance:

1) 2% REG SoyPower biodiesel

HFRR 221, 415 micron improvement.

50:1 ratio of baseline fuel to 100% biodiesel

66.56 oz. of 100% biodiesel per 26 gallons of diesel fuel

Price: market value

2)Opti-Lube XPD

Multi-purpose + anti-gel

cetane improver, demulsifier

HFRR 317, 319 micron improvement.

256:1 ratio

13 oz/tank

$4.35/tank

3)FPPF RV, Bus, SUV Diesel/Gas fuel treatment

Gas and Diesel

cetane improver, emulsifier

HFRR 439, 197 micron improvement

640:1 ratio

5.2 oz/tank

$2.60/tank

4)Opti-Lube Summer Blend

Multi-purpose

demulsifier

HFRR 447, 189 micron improvement

3000:1 ratio

1.11 oz/tank

$0.68/tank

5)Opti-Lube Winter Blend

Muti-purpose + anti-gel

cetane improver

HFRR 461, 175 micron improvement

512:1 ratio

6.5 oz/tank

$3.65/tank

6)Schaeffer Diesel Treat 2000

Multi-purpose + anti-gel

cetane improver, emulsifier, bio-diesel compatible

HFRR 470, 166 micron improvement

1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$1.87/tank

7)Super Tech Outboard 2-cycle TC-W3 engine oil

Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 or newer systems)

HFRR 474, 162 micron improvement

200:1 ratio

16.64 oz/tank

$1.09/tank

8)Stanadyne Lubricity Formula

Lubricity Only

demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free

HFRR 479, 157 micron improvement

1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$1.00/tank

9)Amsoil Diesel Concentrate

Multi-purpose

demulsifier, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free

HFRR 488, 148 micron improvement

640:1 ratio

5.2 oz/tank

$2.16/tank

10)Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost

Multi-purpose

Cetane improver, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free

HFRR 575, 61 micron improvement

400:1 ratio

8.32 oz/tank

$1.58/tank

11)Howe’s Meaner Power Kleaner

Multi-purpose

Alcohol free

HFRR 586, 50 micron improvement

1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$1.36/tank

12)Stanadyne Performance Formula

Multi-purpose + anti-gel

cetane improver, demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free

HFRR 603, 33 micron improvement

480:1 ratio

6.9 oz/tank

$4.35/tank

13)Used Motor Oil, Shell Rotella T 15w40, 5,000 miles used.

Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage systems)

HFRR 634, 2 micron improvement

200:1 ratio

16.64 oz/tank

price: market value

14)Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant

Gas or diesel

HFRR 641, 5 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

427:1 ratio

7.8 oz/tank

$2.65/tank

15)B1000 Diesel Fuel Conditioner by Milligan Biotech

Multi-purpose, canola oil based additive

HFRR 644, 8 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$2.67/tank

16)FPPF Lubricity Plus Fuel Power

Multi-purpose + anti-gel

Emulsifier, alcohol free

HFRR 675, 39 microns worse than baseline fuel1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$1.12/tank

17)Marvel Mystery Oil

Gas, oil and Diesel fuel additive (NOT ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 and newer systems)

HFRR 678, 42 microns worse than baseline fuel.

320:1 ratio

10.4 oz/tank

$3.22/tank

18)ValvTect Diesel Guard Heavy Duty/Marine Diesel Fuel Additive

Multi-purpose

Cetane improver, emulsifier, alcohol free

HFRR 696, 60 microns worse than baseline fuel

1000:1 ratio

3.32 oz/tank

$2.38/tank

19)Primrose Power Blend 2003

Multi-purpose

Cetane boost, bio-diesel compatible, emulsifier

HFRR 711, 75 microns worse than baseline

1066:1 ratio

3.12 oz/tank

$1.39/tank

CONCLUSIONS:

Products 1 through 4 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 460 or better. This meets the most strict requirements requested by the Engine Manufacturers Association.

Products 1 through 9 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 520 or better, meeting the U.S. diesel fuel requirements for maximum wear scar in a commercially available diesel fuel.

Products 16 through 19 were found to cause the fuel/additive blend to perform worse than the baseline fuel. The cause for this is speculative. This is not unprecedented in HFRR testing and can be caused by alcohol or other components in the additives. Further investigation into the possibilities behind these poor results will investigated.

Any additive testing within +/- 20 microns of the baseline fuel could be considered to have no significant change. The repeatability of this test allows for a +/- 20 micron variability to be considered insignificant.

CREDITS:

This study would not have been possible without the participation of all companies involved, Southwest Research and Steve Westbrook, and dieselplace.com. A special Thank You to all of the dieselplace.com members who generously donated toward this study and waited longer than they should have for the results. You folks are the best. Arlen Spicer, organizer.

PDF file version...

http://www.frontiernet.net/~mopar1973ma ... vetest.pdf

[dorkweed]

Mike, I wonder what the outcome would have been if they used the 128:1 ratio that you came up with????!!!! What do think??? I really think it would have been in the top three!!! Granted, I'm using only 16oz per fill up now because I don't know if I'm getting a bio blend at my station or not, but this still is great news for our cause!!! I wonder what all the PS, Stanadyne, etc. users will think of this???? :mad :mad I can tell you from my own experience, that I think they will continue to use what they've always used no matter what they read!!!! It's the new diesel guys we need to educate!!!! :smart Take care!!! Great info by the way. You need to post it on Cummins Forum too!!! :thumbsup

[Guest]

No, I think that study done by Spicer will change a lot of people's opinions on what to use. It was done independantly according to the manufacturer's specs (except the 2 stroke oil) with dry diesel without any additives and shows how each actually helps.I think we all agree that we need something since the ULSD has come into play and won't be going away.

[Mopar1973Man]

Now remember this test was done with fuel that was not up to score first! The fuel tested at 636 HFRR. Now with 200:1 - 2 cycle oil it down to 474 which was a a 162 improvement. So if you double the dose to 100:1 Ratio... Then in theory the improvement should double. Not to mention most fuel are close to the 520 HFRR so... With the 128:1 ratio (1 oz to 1 gallon) should put good fuel into ~300 HFRR bracket ... :DThe second nice thing is that 2 cycle oil is still cheaper than most additives! :thumbsup

[Mopar1973Man]

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