Kerosene Blending vs Winterization Additives
For many years the diesel fuel (and fuel oil) consuming industry has utilized kerosene (No. 1-D)
fuel as a blending component to lower the winter cold flow filter plugging (CFPP) temperature
of No. 2-D fuels. The more waxy (higher paraffin content) No. 2-D fuels are typically blended
with lower wax content kerosene fuels in order to reduce the paraffin in the final fuel mixture
and reduce the CFPP of the "blended fuel".
This "blending" technique has been done despite the proven loss of horsepower production and
the significant reduction in fuel efficiency (fuel economy) with the kerosene blended fuels *.
And, while kerosene blending was an easy and marginally effective method for minimizing
diesel powered equipment winter operational issues in the past, that is not the case with the ultra
low sulfur diesel fuels (ULSD) of today.
Today's ULSD fuels respond very poorly to the addition of kerosene and the final blends do not
provide significant winter cold flow property improvements unless a substantial percentage (50
percent or more) of kerosene is added to the ULSD fuels.
The higher kerosene blend requirement further reduces the engine power production and more
dramatically decreases equipment fuel efficiency (fuel economy).
Amalgamated, Inc has published various reports and laboratory data over the years to indicate
that winterization additives can provide better diesel fuel cold flow properties than blending with
kerosene (or No. 1-D) fuel.
This report documenting laboratory testing clearly demonstrates the need for higher and higher
kerosene blend percentages in ULSD fuels to achieve marginal winter operating protection.
The report further shows the more noteworthy (and cost effective) comparison solution of
utilizing the right winterization chemical additive(s) to lower the cold flow properties of ULSD
fuels. The right winterization chemical additive(s) will provide considerably better winter
weather operating protection without the horsepower production losses and fuel economy
sacrifices.
* Kerosene contains less BTU (energy) content than No. 2-D fuel. The incorporation of kerosene into No. 2-D fuel will lower the total
energy content of the mixture which reduces the available engine power output.
Kerosene Blending vs Winterization Additives
Lab Test Results - Kerosene Blends vs Amalgamated, Inc. Additive Treated Fuel
Lab Fuel #
Base Base PP Base
CFPP With
CP(F)
(F)
CFPP(F) 40%Kerosene
CFPP
Additive
Additive
With
Treated
Treated*
60%
* CFPP
PP (F)
Kerosene
(F)
36627
(Dracut, MA)
+13.9
36346(Nashville,TN) +12.9
36355
(Albany, NY)
36843
(Greencastle,PA)
36354(Findley,OH)
36447
(West Fargo,ND)
36345
(Salem, IL)
36405
(Koekuk, IA)
36406 (Freemont,
IN)
36972
(Fond DuLac,WI)
36445
(Cadillac, MI)
36467
(Tomah, WI)
-8
-14
+12
+11
+0
-8
-48
-25
-9
-48
-34
-13
-46
-33
-1
+12.0
-10
+12
+12.0
-14
+9
-1
-11
-50
-38
+2
-11
-21
-74
-31
+8.7
-20
+8.0
+7.4
+5.0
-28
+4
-10
+7
-16
+5
+1
-8
-20
-80
-33
-34
-26
-6
-15
-6
-15
-46
-39
+1.0
-28
+1
-6
-15
-64
-40
+1.0
-28
+1
-13
-27
-66
-42
-.0.2
-28
-16
-20
-28
-54
-42
-1.0
-30
-3
-15
-23
-72
-36
* Diesel fuel treated with Amalgamated, Inc. (AMAL-070109-W) Winter Diesel Fuel Additive only
(no kerosene).
You may request samples of AMAL-070109-W Winter Diesel Fuel
Additive for testing with your own diesel fuels through our contact
us page.
The "True" Cost of Blending Kerosene vs Winter Additive
Basis of calculations for ULSD
Diesel fuel (with taxes) cost per gallon
= $4.00
Kerosene (with taxes) cost per gallon
=$4.25
Blend required to lower CFPP by 20F from base fuel
=60%
Additive treat cost (cents) per gallon of diesel fuel*
= 5.475¢
Diesel vehicle average fuel economy (MPG) of fuel
Average fuel economy loss with 60% kerosene blend
= 6.00
= 30%
60% Kerosene Blend Cost Analysis
Diesel fuel @ $4.00 / gallon x 40 gallons
= $160.00
+ Kerosene @ $4.25 / gallon x 60 gallons = $255.00
=$ 415.00 per
100 gallons of fuel
Blended cost per gallon of fuel
($ 415.00 divide by 100 gallons)
= $ 4.15
Blended fuel economy 30% loss
(6.00 x 70%) = 4.20 mpg
Blended fuel cost per mile
($ 4.15 divided by 4.20 MPG)
= $0.9881
Winter Additive Cost Analysis
Diesel fuel @ $4.00 / gallon x 100 gallons = $400.00
+ Additive* @ 5.475 cents per gallon x 100 = $5.475
= $405.475 per 100 gallons of fuel
Additized cost per gallon of fuel
($405.475 divided by 100 gallons) =$4.05475
Additized fuel economy
(no loss in MPG with additive)= 6.00 mpg
Additized fuel cost per mile
($4.05475 divided by 6.00 MPG)= $0.6758
Net Fuel "Cost per Mile Savings"
with Additive Treated Diesel Fuel *= $0.3123
* Amalgamated, Inc. AMAL-070109-W Winter Diesel Fuel Additive