Episode 029 - Flash Point

Whether you're a fuel professional or just curious about the intricacies of fuel specifications, this episode will explain everything you need to know about this topic, specifically focusing on flash point. We unravel the mysteries of annual fuel testing and explore which tests are essential for different situations.

Discover the significance of fuel specifications and how they ensure optimal performance in engines and equipment. Unforeseen consequences await those who neglect to consider the implications of using fuel that falls outside the specified parameters.

As we dive into the eleven fuel specifications outlined in D975, our focus narrows in on the fascinating realm of "flash point." You'll learn why flash point is a critical factor in fuel performance, the complexities of flash point problems, their causes, and (most importantly) how to rectify them. 

Listen to the Full Episode:

What You'll Learn:

• What “in specification” means when referring to fuel.
• What happens if diesel fuel falls out of spec.
• The importance of knowing what to do when your fuel comes back with bad test results.
• What flash point is defined as.
• What causes spontaneous ignition.
• What the flash point is supposed to be for your fuel.
• What causes flash point issues with diesel fuel.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “In order for something to be legally defined as diesel fuel, it has to meet all of the minimum requirements laid out in D975.” - Erik Bjornstad
• “There is a purpose to having these kinds of property definitions and a purpose to saying that diesel fuel has to meet these requirements, and that purpose is so that you, as the user, can have confidence that the fuel is  going to work like it’s supposed to.” - Erik Bjornstad
• “Flash point is defined as the lowest liquid temperature at which a liquid gives off vapors sufficient enough to form an ignitable vapor air mixture. We say liquid because things do not burn when they’re in solid form, they burn when they’re in gas form.” - Erik Bjornstad
• “Autoignition temperature is always going to be significantly higher than the flash point temperature.” - Erik Bjornstad
• “You do not want the flashpoint of your fuel to be too low because if it’s too low, it has the chance of igniting too quickly in a diesel engine. You also don’t want it excessively high or it may not ignite fast enough. ”- Erik Bjornstad

Resources:

• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn