In the past few years, the sulfur content of diesel fuel has become a major concern due to its contribution to SOx emissions, especially SO3, which combined with water forms acid. This has led to legislation requiring the removal of all but .05% of the sulfur in all diesel fuel used in over the road applications as of October 1, 1993. And new regulations will lower allowable sulfur content even more.
Although sulfur itself does not contribute to the performance of a fuel, the fuel components removed together with the sulfur to produce a low sulfur fuel did. These other fuel components have a BTU value, and give the fuel its lubricating properties. The latter is important since many engine manufacturers use the fuel itself to lubricate the fuel pump and other engine parts that come in contact with the fuel. These same components also provide an important portion of the total energy content of the fuel.
Low sulfur fuels have a lower BTU value, a lower lubricity factor and present significant problems for fuel producers and users alike. In the refining process, considerable amounts of extra work are required to remove the sulfur. The process may require extensive re-tooling of the refinery, which translates into a significant cost increase for the end user. The result is a lower energy yielding fuel at a higher cost.
Cost increase is not the only problem the end user will experience. There will be an immediate drop in fuel economy of about 3 to 7%, and a considerable loss of power resulting from the lower BTU value. Because of the reduced lubricating properties of the fuel vital engine parts will wear out more quickly, this can be noticeable in as little as one or two months. The reduction in lubricity will also contribute to a loss in usable power due to the increased friction the engine will have to overcome. Even a perfectly tuned engine will experience a noticeable drop in efficiency.
The traditional solution has been to add lubricity and anti-wear additive packages to the fuel. AFC-705 contains a premium lubricity and anti-wear additive package correcting the friction and wear problems.
New legislation offers another alternative. If it can be shown that a higher sulfur content fuel (.1-.2% sulfur content) can meet the emission standards of a lower sulfur fuel, being mandated for use in a particular area, then a waiver can be received for the use of that fuel. The benefits are that higher sulfur fuel will be easier to manufacture, less expensive to buy, and offer better fuel economy that the low sulfur fuel.
One may qualify to obtain a waiver by treating the higher sulfur fuel with AFC-705 fuel Catalyst. AFC-705 will decrease the emissions of SOx by catalyzing reactions between the sulfur and minerals in the fuel thus converting the combustion products of sulfur to harmless solid sulfur salts found in common soil and rock. A higher concentration of sulfur may therefore be present in the fuel while resulting in constant o lower SOx emissions when compared to a reference low sulfur fuel.
AFC-705 also increases fuel economy of engines, turbines and burners. Lower fuel consumption to obtain the same energy output, immediately translates into lower overall emissions.
AFC-705 keeps the engine clean and free of deposits, which lowers maintenance and operating cost. The lubrication oil of engines using AFC-705 stays significantly cleaner and last much longer. Regardless of the type of fuel used, AFC-705 treated fuel will perform better than non-treated fuel. The result swill always be immediately evident.
The cost of AFC treated fuel will always be significantly less than the cost of using low sulfur fuel.
In all applications, AFC-705 more than pays for itself. It saves money, and enhances your bottom line.
