FYI Fuel Additive chemical analysis and discussion

[Joe Hogan]

Here is an interesting video on the different fuel additives and chemical analysis.

 

[Crazydog]

All these fuel additives are a waste of $$ other than anti-gel for diesels in extremely cold climates.
While they most likely won't do any harm they absolutely do nothing for you.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

All these fuel additives are a waste of $$ other than anti-gel for diesels in extremely cold climates.
While they most likely won't do any harm they absolutely do nothing for you.

After experiencing a lot of smoke when starting the generator, I added Deisel Kleen to my fuel tank and in 3 or 4 hours of runtime on the generator, the smoke was gone when starting the generator. I now add 10-12 ounces of Deisell Kleen to my fuel tank on every fill-up.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Unfortunately due to low quality of fuel in the USA, some additives are helpful.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Europe has figured this out and has reduced “grade” of fuel to one, all you can purchase is reasonable quality fuel, both petrol and Diesel.

 

[Joe Hogan]

BTW additives appear to be added at various times from the refiner to final distribution

Additives are typically added to fuel-grade products, such as gasoline or diesel, at various stages of the production and distribution process, depending on the specific additive and its intended purpose. Here’s a breakdown of when and where this usually happens:

1. **At the Refinery**: Many additives are blended into the fuel during the refining process or just before the fuel leaves the refinery. This is common for additives like detergents, corrosion inhibitors, and octane boosters (e.g., in gasoline) or cetane improvers (e.g., in diesel). Refineries mix these additives into large batches of fuel to meet regulatory standards, improve performance, or enhance stability.

2. **At the Terminal**: After the fuel is transported from the refinery to distribution terminals (via pipelines, ships, or trucks), additional additives may be injected. This step often involves branded fuel companies adding proprietary additive packages to differentiate their products (e.g., Shell V-Power or BP Invigorate). These might include performance enhancers or marketing-specific formulas.

3. **During Transportation or Storage**: Some additives, like anti-oxidants or stabilizers, may be added to prevent degradation during storage or transport, especially if the fuel will sit in tanks for extended periods before reaching consumers.

4. **At the Pump (Rarely)**: In rare cases, certain additives might be introduced at the fuel station itself, though this is less common. Most fuels are fully formulated by the time they reach the pump.

The exact timing depends on the additive’s purpose—whether it’s to meet fuel quality regulations (e.g., sulfur content limits), improve engine performance, reduce emissions, or ensure shelf life. For example, ethanol (a common biofuel additive) is often blended at the refinery or terminal to comply with renewable fuel standards.

If you’re curious about a specific fuel type or additive, let me know, and I can dig deeper!