How Cold Flow Improvers Help Enhancing Flow Quality of Engine Fuels?

Cold flow improvers are gaining traction in the automobile industry due to the advantage they offer to diesel as well as petrol engines. These improvers are the most useful innovation when it comes to keeping fuel freeze-free, especially in the winter. They act as additives to help enhance the flow quality of the diesel while it is in the engine tank.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the basics of cold flow improvers. Also, we’ll shed light on the key characteristics of these improvers and the major companies providing cold flow improvers to automotive manufacturers globally. Stick with us!

Cold Flow Improvers: Quick Overview

Cold flow improvers are additives, also known as antigens, that help regulate the flow of the fuel when it passes through the fuel filter. The additives help in separating the wax crystals present in the innate composition of the fuel which cause hindrance in the normal flow of fuel throughout the inner network of the engine. Cold flow improvers also help reduce the lower temperature operability limit of the engine by inhibiting wax crystal formation, which prevents obstruction of the fuel filter, ensuring smooth flow, especially during freezing conditions such as in winter months. There are various types of cold flow improvers, each type having its own specific function.

Key Characteristics of Cold Flow Improvers

Wax Dispersing

Wax dispersing quality is one of the key factors resulting in the adoption of cold flow improvers. This quality helps prevent the agglomeration of wax crystals, which get separated due to a decrease in temperature. Cloud point refers to the temperature at which wax crystals remain dissolved and suspended in the fuel. As the outside temperature decreases wax crystals start to crystallize out. This results in crystals getting attracted to each other to form a bigger mass of wax. This huge chunk of wax gets deposited on the fuel filter and shuts down the engine due to an insufficient supply of fuel to start the engine. By using a wax dispersant, the wax crystallization is inhibited, and the smooth flow of fuel is ensured.

Anti Settling Property

Anti settling property helps in reducing the unnecessary settling of wax crystals in the bottom of the fuel filter. When the wax crystal size is small, it remains suspended in the fuel liquid; however, as an increasing number of crystals are formed, they get attached and settle down, forming a thick layer on the walls of the filter, causing blockage of the filter and obstructing the normal flow of fuel. A settling agent, also known as WASA or wax settling agent, helps extend the time before the wax can be crystallized out of the fuel.

Modifying Wax Characteristics

Petroleum chemistry has certainly driven innovation in the field of the cold flow improver market. Wax modifying is an interesting quality of cold flow improvers. This occurs by changing the shape of the crystals so as to bring about a change in the type of deposition on the fuel filter. This also helps in changing the patterns of deposition hindering the ability of wax crystals to be plugged into the fuel filter.

Top Companies Offering Cold Wax Improvers

·???????? BASF SE

BASF SE is a German multinational company that is one of the largest producers of chemicals globally. This multinational chemical manufacturer and producer was founded in 1865 and has since then emerged as the leading corporation driving innovation in the world of chemicals. Through its Keroflux 6160, it has brought about a decrease in the crystallization of the wax sediments present in the fuel liquid.

·???????? Afton Chemical Corporation

Afton Chemical is an American manufacturer of chemicals with headquarters present in Richmond, Virginia. This chemical giant corporation has driven growth in the fields of additives by branching out into its four components, specifically driveline additives, engine oil additives, fuel additives, and industrial additives. Afton’s cold flow improvers are widely used in refiners, fuel blenders and cargo treaters in order to maintain the cloud point present in fuels such as diesel and petrol.

·???????? Clariant AG

Clariant AG is a Swiss multinational company that has been pioneering in the field of chemicals since 1995. It is an offshoot of Sandoz and has since been dishing out invention after invention related to chemicals. It has major manufacturing sites in Europe, North America, South America, China, and India. Clariant AG has further branched out into Care Chemicals, Adsorbents & Additives, and Catalysts.

Improving Fuel Efficiency

Cold flow Improvers are being increasingly adopted by people residing in colder regions who are looking to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles in the harsh seasons of winter. They have various advantages, such as modifying the wax structures of the wax crystals that have been crystallized out of the liquid fuel. This has further helped in driving home the need for employing cold flow improvers in fuel engines. Major companies such as BASF SE and Afton Chemical Corporation are pioneering the field of chemicals and will see greater expansion in the coming years due to fluctuating weather conditions.