What are the factors that can cause a diesel fuel tank to be scrapped?
1 Answers
Adding substances such as sugar, salt, sand, and detergent to a diesel fuel tank can cause it to quickly become scrapped. Under normal circumstances, a diesel fuel tank will gradually age and eventually become scrapped over time with increased usage frequency. Firstly, diesel engines are compression-ignition types, where the fuel is ignited by the heat generated from the compression of air inside the cylinder. In other words, compressing the air raises its temperature, and when the temperature of the compressed air exceeds the ignition point of diesel, the diesel will combust. Diesel engines also have a relatively high compression ratio, generally above 14. Diesel-powered vehicles often travel on highways, running for extended periods with high engine temperatures and pressures, leading to the production of more soot and carbon deposits inside the cylinders. Engine oil is also prone to oxidation, forming sludge. Therefore, diesel engine oil is required to have excellent high-temperature detergency. If impurities or unknown solvents are added to the diesel fuel tank, they can damage the smoothness and clearance of various machine components. Over time, this will worsen the engine combustion process, leading to the diesel fuel tank being scrapped.