Formulations
Summary of FuelSpec® Combustion Additive Technology
SFA International, Inc. has developed several combustion catalysts within the FuelSpec® 110 Series product line. This page will discuss the differences between these products and give you the basis for which is best for your application.
SFA engineers provide technical service to assist customers in achieving optimum results from use of Diesel engine additives. Before a recommendation is made, we ask that an Engine & Fuel information page be completed (available by emailing: forms@goaenterprises.com) with details about the engine, fuel and operation. From this data, a proposal is prepared outlining the additive application, dosage rate, function, cost and expected benefits.
Before going into the individual product lines, one point of clarification should be added: each product is a three digit number (116, 117 etc.) followed by a dash and a four digit number. The first two digits of the four digit number refer to the percent iron metal in the product. The second pair of digits refers to the magnesium concentration. For example, FuelSpec® 116-4509 contains 4.5% Fe and 0.9% Mg.
FuelSpec® 113, 114 and 115
FuelSpec® 113 and 114 product lines are EPA registered for on-road use in the United States. FuelSpec® 113 is designed for fuels containing >1,000 ppm sulfur.
FuelSpec® 114 is designed for fuels containing <1,000 ppm sulfur that require a lubricity agent to replace the lubrication properties removed in the hydrodesulfurization process. FuelSpec® 114 is EPA registered for on-road use in the United States.
FuelSpec® 116 and 117
These product lines are based on the same components with the exception of one additional component in FuelSpec® 117. The iron and magnesium components in these products are oil soluble and relatively un-reactive with water in the fuel. They disperse and dissolve readily into the fuel and will remain stored in it for the life of the fuel without settling out or destabilizing. Further, they do not have any deleterious effects to the fuel.
The difference between FuelSpec® 116 and 117 products is that 117 series contain a lubricity agent, SFA’s FuelSpec® 195. We have found in engine testing that addition of a lubricity agent to low sulfur fuel will result in much better performance by as much as 50%.
There are a few subtle differences between the two lines. The lubricity agent adds a small amount of oxygen in molecular form to the liquid. 117 will be slightly more viscous than 116 and because the lubricity agent is replacing solvent, 117 cannot be formulated at as high metal content as 116 series. The highest metal concentration product in the FuelSpec® 117 line is 117-3006. We recommend use of FuelSpec® 117 products in fuels containing less than 1,000 ppm sulfur.
FuelSpec® 118 and 119
FuelSpec® 118 and 119 products are based on a totally different technology from the FuelSpec® 116 and 117 series. The iron component is 118 and 119 liquids is a colloidal dispersion with iron at levels greater than 20%. The magnesium component is an over-based product containing up to 35% metal. We are able to make a lower cost product especially designed for high-consumption applications.
Because of the chemistry of the components, 118 and 119 are susceptible to water in the fuel and can settle out of the fuel with time. We do not recommend placing these products in static fuel tanks. The recommended application is with a dosing system that injects the additive at a rate commensurate with the fuel flow to the engine or in a fuel tank with stirring or constant recirculation.
SFA has had extensive experience with FuelSpec® 118 products in combustion turbines, steam boilers and process heaters. We have seen consistent 90% reduction of particulate matter from turbine and boiler exhausts (smoke) which is well beyond anything recorded in the literature.
FuelSpec® 119 is designed for use in ultra-large Diesel engines (greater than 10 MW). It will yield more economical treatment at high fuel consumption rates. A lubricity agent can be added to 119 products for application in low sulfur (<1,000 ppm) fuels.