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Dirt and water threaten fuel efficiency

An official with the nation’s largest cooperative calls dirt and water the biggest threats to fuel efficiency on the farm.

CHS refined fuels product manager Ron Jessen says equipment is only as good as the fuel it runs on, and protecting that input begins with best practices for storage and fuel tank maintenance.

“There’s two main areas: dirt and water.  So if we take a look at dirt and debris, we can physically remove the dirt and debris from the tanks, but it’s also imperative that we’re running a good diesel fuel that contains a strong detergent.”

He tells Brownfield detergents keep fuel tanks clean by eliminating debris that can harm engines.

Jessen says farmers must guard against water as well.

“Water is the natural enemy of fuel.  And by reducing the water, what we do is reduce the amount of damage that can take place within that engine.  So to get rid of the water, we can utilize a demulsifier in the fuel.”

Jessen also recommends limiting condensation in fuel tanks.

He says filling up at the end of the day rather than the following morning reduces airspace where moisture often builds up overnight.