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What is the freezing point of diesel?

I have heard that the very cold temperatures we are experiecing can cause diesel to freeze. I heard that the temperature is around -12 degrees, is this true?

I have thought of this question as this can effect everybody.

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  • Asked by covkid5
  • on 2010-12-03 00:23:25
  • Member status
  • none

Categories: Domestic Science, Planet Earth, Weather , Environment, Transport, Technology.

Tags: cold, snow, Diesel.

 

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Georg says:

 Hello  covkid5 ,

where do You live? Diesel production/marketing is very dependent

on climate in Your country.

1st: Diesel does not "freeze" really, freezing means some (almost)

pure liquid solidifies totally.

For diesel the situation is different: Starting around  - 10 some

waxlike material will crystallize, this tiny crystals will settle

and form a kind of soft sludge, 

This sludge can clog pipes/hoses and block the pump between

tank and motor.

The fraction causing this is the linear hydrocarbons in the diesel.

Oil refineries have methods to produce diesel with more or less

of this fraction by selecting the crude  or some purification or

cracking procedures.

In Germany it is practice to adjust the production to season,

You will get a different diesel in wintertime.

There are additives for that, but rather expensive. A general

method is to add up to one third of gasoline, but this will

lower the diesels ease of ignition (Cetan number), One 

should look up the manual of the motor.

Georg

 

sssss
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Tags: cold, snow, Diesel.

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posted on 2010-12-07 11:29:09 | Report abuse


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