Cold Flow Improvers
Improved performance at low temperatures
Normal paraffins can comprise up to 30 per cent of a typical diesel fuel.
These paraffins are the least soluble constituents in a fuel, and can give rise to operability issues as a fuel’s temperature is lowered. These issues include the formation of wax crystals, which can block fuel lines and filters.
Innospec’s next generation cold flow improvers (CFIs) offer an economic and high quality method to improve the low temperature performance of fuels.
Low temperature issues
The low temperature performance of middle distillates can be specified by three key properties:
- Cloud Point: The temperature at which wax crystals are first visible
- Pour Point: The lowest temperature at which fuel will flow
- Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP): An indication of vehicle low temperature operability.
Innospec’s CFI additives provide reductions in all three of these key areas.
Performance improvement in all measures
Innospec offers cloud point depressants which solubilize paraffin nuclei as they begin to crystallize from the fuel – lowering the fuel’s cloud point.
Innospec’s pour point depressants modify paraffin crystals’ growth as they precipitate. This means that fuel can be cooled to lower temperatures before they gel.
In addition, Innospec’s CFPP additives ensure the production of smaller crystals in middle distillates. These crystals have a much lower tendency to block fuel lines and filters.
Working together for optimal performance
CFI performance is highly dependent on the properties of the fuel being treated. To achieve optimum performance, additives need to be matched to the paraffin distribution of the base fuel.
Our technical experts work closely with refiners to ensure the optimum additive is selected for the unique requirements of the fuels they produce.
Cold flow solutions
Changes in crude slates, fuel specifications, economics and refining requirements demand refiners to take a new approach in handling wax related performance (pour point and cloud point) issues.
Innospec Fuel Specialties can help refiners balance low temperature performance, quality and economics with next generation cold flow improvers.
We offer a wide range of Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) additives designed to improve the vehicle operability in extreme temperatures. These additives can also be used in combination with Wax Anti-Settling Additives (WASA) to improve performance.
Our range of cold flow improvers includes:
- Pour Point Depressants (PPD)
- Cloud Point Depressants (CPD)
- Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP)
- Wax Anti-Settling Additives (WASA)
We also offer a variety of combination packages.