Hidden Costs of Fuel Storage: Impact on Your Bottom Line
Gas station owners and fuel distributors approach fuel differently than other people - they know that fuel is meant to move fast. The ideal scenario...
2 min read
September marks that familiar shift when fuel distributors across the northern regions start fielding the calls. Fleet managers asking about anti-gel treatments. Facility operators locking down anti-gel treatments because they're worried about generator reliability during winter storm season. Customers dealing with sluggish equipment starts and increased filter changes as cold temperatures drop.
The reality of cold temperatures facing fuel distributors today goes well beyond traditional winter challenges. Modern fuel compositions — with biodiesel blends now standard across most markets — create complications our industry didn't face ten years ago. Not only do today's ULSD fuels not respond as well to anti-gel treatment, but the B20 blends that are more and more common can also raise cold filter plug points by 10 degrees Fahrenheit compared to straight diesel, according to the National Biodiesel Board. Plus, the higher-performance fuel filters spec'd by today's common rail diesel engines also effectively raise problem gelling temperatures simply because they're better at trapping gelled paraffin wax earlier than before (that's not a good thing for gelling problems).
Traditional anti-gel products that worked reliably on petroleum diesel often fall short with today's bio-blended fuels.
The Triple Threat Heading Into Cold Weather
Your customers will be dealing with three interconnected problems this winter season. Water accumulation accelerates during temperature swings, creating perfect conditions for microbial growth in storage tanks. Those microbes produce acids that accelerate fuel degradation and create biomass that plugs filters right when equipment reliability matters most. Meanwhile, cold-weather gelling can shut down operations entirely.
Here's what makes this challenging: each problem feeds the others. Water supports microbes, microbes create acids that destabilize fuel, and unstable fuel with contamination gels more readily in cold weather.
Your Customers Expect Solutions, Not Excuses
When delivery trucks won't start or backup generators fail during power outages, customers don't want to hear about the complexities of modern fuel chemistry. They expect fuel that works when they need it. Bell Performance has worked with fuel distributors for over a century to stay ahead of these evolving challenges.
Our approach recognizes that winter preparation requires more than adding anti-gel at the last minute. The Hybrid Approach combines strategic chemical treatments with mechanical services and fuel testing to address the root causes before they become emergency calls.
For example, our Bio Cold Flow Improver is specifically formulated for biodiesel blends, containing both traditional wax inhibitors and viscosity modifiers that address the vegetable oil components. Bellicide tackles microbial contamination that traditional biocides miss. Tank Treatment SDF disperses biomass while protecting tank surfaces from corrosion.
Partnership That Protects Your Reputation
Our Bell Fuel & Tank Services division works alongside distributors to implement preventive protocols that keep customers problem-free. Next-generation microbe detection testing reveals contamination issues before they create service calls. Professional fuel testing both confirms your products meet specifications throughout the storage and delivery process and can provide answers if your customers circle back with questions regarding fuel problems they may be experiencing.
Think of all this as insurance for your customer relationships. When you partner with Bell Performance, you're not just addressing immediate problems — you're demonstrating the kind of proactive expertise that builds long-term customer loyalty.
As one of our distributor partners put it: "Bell helps us stay ahead of problems instead of reacting to them. Our customers know we deliver solutions, not just fuel."
Ready to Weather This Season?
The next few weeks represent your window to implement winter-ready protocols before cold weather hits. Contact Bell Fuel & Tank Services to discuss how the Hybrid Approach can help you and your customers navigate the challenges ahead.
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