INFLUENCE OF DIESEL FUEL COMPOSITION ON COLD FLOW IMPROVER EFFECTIVENESS

• Published in: Neftegazovoe delo 2024-09 (4), p.240-252
• Main Authors: Khamadalieva, Gulnaz M., Baulin, Oleg A., Gilmutdinov, Amir T., Khabarova, Ksenia I., Ayupova, Azaliya A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1813-503X; 1813-503X
• DOI: 10.17122/ogbus-2024-4-240-252

In recent years there has been an increase in the requirements for the diesel fuel quality in our country. One of the most important indicators of diesel fuel quality is its low-temperature properties. To improve the low-temperature characteristics of diesel fuel it is recommended to add cold flow improvers. These additives help to lower the pour point, increase the cold filter plugging point and extend the range of winter fuels. However, there is a challenge in using these additives as their effectiveness can vary depending on the composition of the fuel. Fuels with a wide boiling range 90 %–20 % distillation curve of 100 °C or more and an end boiling point of more than 25 °C are usually more susceptible to cold flow improvers.The article examines the effect of various fuels with different fractional and hydrocarbon compositions produced at Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat LLC on the performance of a cold flow improver based on petrochemical industry by-products developed at Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. It was found that the highest efficiency of the additive at its maximum concentration (0.2 % by weight) was observed on a sample of diesel fuel with the lowest content of paraffin hydrocarbons (52.7 % by weight). The optimal boiling range for this sample was 90 %–20 % – 110 °C, the «end of boiling – 90 %» – 25 °C. The depressor effect of the additive on other diesel fuel samples was found to be negligible indicating its poor compatibility with fuels of the studied composition. Therefore, in the production of diesel fuel it is important to have a variety of cold flow improvers that can be tailored to suit fuels with different fractional and hydrocarbon compositions.