Phase Separation in E-10 Gasoline

Phase Separation in E-10 Gasoline

This month we want to discuss a popular subject of late, the effects ethanol fuel has on our gas powered equpiment.

What is Phase Separation?

E-10 gasoline is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). If enough water is present, either from condensation or contaminated fuel, E-10 will separate into two layers of liquid: a top layer which is almost all gasoline, and a bottom layer which is almost all ethanol (up to 75%) and water (and oil, in 2-cycle fuel). This process is called phase separation, and may make an engine difficult or impossible to start.

Problems with Phase Separation

Phase separation will pull the octane booster out of the fuel, suddenly dropping 89 octane to 82 or 83. If the fuel filter is clean but the engine has no power, phase separation with octane drop has probably occurred.

The greatest potential for damage is in 2-cycle engines using pre-mix. If the engine is able to start and run, it won't be lubricated because almost all the engine oil will have separated out of the fuel. In some cases, particularly in cold weather, an emulsion can form that can clog fuel filters and cause carburetor slides to stick.

Boats and equipment with "open" fuel systems have a breather on the tank that is always open to the atmosphere and humidity. Condensation forms every time there is a difference between the fuel temperature and the atmosphere. Over time this condensation will build up enough to cause phase separation, leaving water in the tank to cause rusting and form ethanol sludge that will clog fuel lines.

When phase separation occurs in bulk storage tanks, lower octane fuel gets distributed throughout all engines and equipment serviced by the tank.

Minimizing the Chances of Phase Separation

Use K100-MG (with enhanced stabilizers) as on ongoing treatment to keep water out of the E-10 fuel.

Keep the fuel tank full and, if possible, close the tank vent when the equipment is not in use.
Buckingham Hardware stocks K-100 MG

Microbe Growth in Diesel Fuel

Two Ways to Stop Microbe Growth

Kill the microbes with poison. There are a number of poisons on the market which must be handled very carefully because they are as advertised - poison.

Eliminate a necessary component of microbe life - water. K100 permanently bonds itself to each water molecule, totally encapsulating it with a combustible shell the microbes can't get through. With no water for respiration, microbes can't survive.

In either case, frequent fuel filter chances are necessary to remove the microbial skeletons.

The Total Solution to the Microbe Problem

Start with a clean tank. "Polishing" the diesel fuel only removes the free-floating mass and generally doesn't eliminate the colony that adheres to the walls of the tank. If the problem is small enough, K100 will starve out existing colonies and eliminate conditions for future growth. If there is a large colony, the only total solution is to drain and steam clean the tank.

Use continuous prevention

An initial "shock treatment" won't prevent the microbes from coming back. Treatment must be continuous - whether using poison or K100 - to prevent microbe growth.
Buckingham Hardware stocks K-100 D