I don't know if anyone here has seen this yet.. it's a bulletin from the nuclear regulatory commission describing the issues arising from ULSD fuel. This was released just last fall. www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/info-notices/2006/in200622.pdf Some excerpts: There are several diesel fuel properties other than sulfur concentration that change as a result of moving to ULSD that may adversely effect the engine performance including: Energy Content In general, the processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm also reduces the aromatics content and density of diesel fuel, resulting in a reduction in volumetric energy content (BTU/gallon). The expected reduction in energy content is 1.2 percent or more. Less energy content of the fuel can reduce the instantaneous output rating of the diesel engine. The reduced output rating may be less than the value specified in the plant’s design andlicensing basis, potentially rendering the diesel inoperable. The reduced energy capacity of the ULSD may result in increased fuel consumption such that the onsite diesel fuel storage capacity for the emergency diesel generators may be insufficient to satisfy the plant’s design and licensing basis for diesel operation duration before offsite replenishment is needed. The reduced energy capacity may also lengthen the amount of time needed for the emergency diesel generators to reach the required speed and voltage. ( We've seen much greater energy losses from the use of ULSD in the field than 1%...total energy loss depends on the API gravity of the fuel, but that's another discussion.) Here's more: Fuel Particulate Build-up Increases Additives to increase lubricity and to inhibit corrosion used by different refineries and wholesale suppliers can react or become unstable in storage, which can result in increased fuel particulates that may foul or plug filters and fuel injection equipment, and can affect suitability of some testing methods. Some nuclear plant licensees using ULSD have observed an increase in the rate of particulate buildup in samples from their diesel fuel oil storage tanks. -end excerpt- Thought you'd like to know.. It's good to see our government so confident in the materials they mandate, isn't it? and here we thought the refineries had all the answers. anyway, we're stuck with it, but at least you're more informed about what's going on out there. Of course, my customers aren't worried... Tom
