Substitute Fuels?

[tbryanh]

As far as I can tell, diesel fuel can only be stored about 6 months. I want a storable fuel (storable for 10 or more years) that can be substituted for diesel fuel without any modifications needed to my IDIs.

I am aware of alternative fuels such as waste motor oil, vegetable oil, etc., but these fuels require special fuel pumps/filters and can carbon up the engine.

 

[riotwarrior]

Store Diesel in a stainless container, sterilized and in a vacuum....don't know if that would work?

 

[icanfixall]

Who told you diesel goes bad after 6 months... I'll bet the fuel in my tanks is that old now and it runs fine... Just wonder where these ideas come from...

 

[The Warden]

Who told you diesel goes bad after 6 months... I'll bet the fuel in my tanks is that old now and it runs fine... Just wonder where these ideas come from...

I tend to agree with Gary...in my experience, diesel fuel doesn't go bad like gasoline does. The biggest concern you may have is algae growth in a diesel tank that's been sitting at less than 100% full for a long time. You might take a look at some marine info sites that talk about winterizing boats. There'll be some recommendations there on some additives to add to diesel to keep the cetane up and inhibit algae growth...

 

[Dieselcrawler]

diesel will go bad, this new fuel goes quicker than the lsd. i had a tank in my truck when it sat for 1.5 years of lsd. ran like **** till i refilled the tank.

 

[tbryanh]

This article might provide some info on storing diesel fuel.

You must be registered for see images attach

Here is a link to some other info.
http://www.fueltechnologiesinternat...ities-regarding-long-term-diesel-storage.html

 

[RLDSL]

Yup, diesel will go to crap, but if you treat the daylights out of it with a storage product like Kill-em ( 1 bottle treats around 15000 gallons, it is intended for storage tanks , marine bunkers, etc), it will keep the critters from forming in your storage tank I believe it doesnt hurt to aggitate the tank once in a while as well.
You can also put a De-Bug Magnetic algae elimination unit on your truck before the filter. THey are expensive little critters, but they do work ( I slapped one of those things on one of my diesel cars that had been sitting for a few years in search of a proper injection pump, the tank should have been critter city by the time i got it fired up, around here 9 months on untreated fuel is enough to completely overrun a tank, , but Ive been running for a year and a half on one fuel filter since I got it back on teh road with zero issues )

 

[tbryanh]

Apparently there are things that can be done so diesel can be stored 10 or more years.

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=247744

http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=21963.0

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/640097_How__Long_term_diesel_storage___.html

 

[PackRat239]

Diesel has a very long life, and you wont get critter poisening unless you put algecide into the fuel. This has been proven by the military for years, and is why they power
so much equipment on diesel. All diesel will grow algie if it gets water in it, but the algie lives on the very top of the fuel tank at the fuel/ water interface, ( it is a plant that needs water and oxygen) and will live a fine / happy life there, not causing you any trouble, unless you kill it. Then it sinks to the bottom where it builds up and is picked up by your pump. That is what causes all the trouble. The military has had fuel stored in tanks in the jungles for years and years during the korean war, while they could not access it, and upon reentry, they tested it and it was fine for use. Even after 10 years stored in a jungle environment. I work as a marine mechanic, and routinely see fuel that is 5 to 10 years stored in big boat tanks with very little degradation. Good filtration is the key, and drain off the water occasionally. DO NOT ADD ALGECIDE! I have a terrible time with todays gas, but almost none with diesel fuel. If you get to the point you need aglicide, you need to clean out your tanks. That is why all commercial vehicles diesel powered boats have a clean out port on each tank.

 

[PackRat239]

By the way, Algie-X is owned by Vout and Allie, who are world cruisers from Holland, and who are friends of mine. The products do work well.

 

[tbryanh]

I have done a little research and have concluded the following:

AIR IS IS THE CULPRIT
Diesel reacts with oxygen in the air at the top of the tank and forms sediment and gum. Water condenses from the air, and algae, fungus, or bacteria grows.

ADDATIVES ARE FOR VENTED TANKS
Addatives protect diesel stored in vented tanks in lawnmowers, recreational vehicles, motorboats, etc. The engine is ran only part of the year, typically during the summer months, and the fuel remaining in the tank after the season is over needs to be protected until the next season comes.

ADDATIVES NOT NEEDED FOR SEALED TANKS
In a sealed container, a small amount of air is deliberately trapped inside the container to allow for expansion of the fuel. A tiny amount of sediment, gum, algae, fungus, or bacteria forms after the container is filled and sealed, then the air becomes "stale" and no more sediment, gum, algae, fungus, or bacteria forms.

DEHYDRATION NOT NEEDED
I have driven 10,000 miles since I installed a Racor water separator in the fuel system of my 6.9 van. No water has accumulated in the separator, so it appears the fuel I purchase is fairly dry. It does not appear the fuel needs to be dehydrated before it is stored.

WINTER OR SUMMER FUEL?
Which fuel might be best for long-term storage, winter or summer diesel?


ARTICLES
British Petrolium article "Fuel News: Long Term Storage of Diesel" http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44524&d=1365177792

Wikipedia article "Galvanization" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanization

AR15.com article "FUEL CAN ORACLE" http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=643480&page=1

 

[tbryanh]

It appears summer fuel has a higher cetane rating than winter fuel, so it might be best to store summer fuel.