Important Additives Used in the Petroleum Fraction

Prepared by: Kalgi Sheth

Guide: Mr.Chirag Tamboli

Introduction
What is Additive?
Complex chemical mixture that are added to fuel, in concentration typically of less
than 1% to improve their performance and extend their life.
To impart desirable properties or to suppress the undesirable properties.

What is the importance of additive in petroleum industries?

Enhance properties already present.
Act to reduce the rate at which undesirable changes takes place.
Aided significantly in the development of prime movers and industrial machinery.

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Pirro D.M,Daschner E.Lubrication fundamentals,2 edition ,Marcel dekkar,37-38
nd

The more commonly used additives are as follows:

Friction modifiers
Antioxidants
Markers and dyes
Octane boosters
Cetane enhancers
Pour point depressants
Biocides
Viscosity index improvers
Hydrated lime

Comparison of intake valve deposits before and after additive use

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Speight, J.G.,The Chemistry and technology of Petroleum 4 ed.,CRC press Taylor and Francis group783-785
th

Additives are added in the fuel at three different stages

1)At the refinery
Fuel refiners must ensure that their products meet specifications and are suitable for the
intended use.
2) In the fuel distribution system
Fuel properties may be upgraded at the terminal or even at the retail pump. Pipeline
operators sometimes inject drag reducing additives and/or corrosion inhibitors.
3) After the fuel has left the control of the producer
These additives are known as aftermarket additives. Some users use additives to further
improve the fuel to meet their particular needs, for instance cold climate operation.

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Diesel net technology guide retrieved from https://www.dieselnet.com/tech/fuel_diesel_add.php on 9/1/2016

Gasoline additives
Gasoline additives play a vital role in petroleum industry since the rising rates of
petroleum and hence gasoline led to development of gasohol, which is 90% unleaded
gasoline and 10% ethanol.

1)Friction modifier
Key component in modern engine oils
Reduced metal- metal contact point
Boosting fuel economy
Reduce engine wear and noise
Prevent micro pitting of metal surfaces

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Friction modifier referred from https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/1638/friction-modifier on 10/10/2015

Mechanism:
Typically consists of
water soluble end (head)
oil soluble end (tail)
Water soluble end attaches to metal surface.
Forms sacrificial liquid coating on the metal which serves to minimize the
friction.
Sacrificial coating indicates, friction modifier sacrifice itself to the
friction.
Water soluble end

Oil soluble end

Basic structure of friction
modifier

2)Antioxidants
Prevent gasoline components (particularly olefins) from reacting with oxygen in the
air.
Comprises of phenols, aromatic diamines or mixture of alkyl phenols and aromatic
diamines.
Enhance gasoline stability and inhibit its tendency to deteriorate in storage.
Gasoline containing a number of unstable species, these can polymerize to form gums
and peroxide.
Peroxides can degrade antiknock quality, cause fuel pump wear.
Soluble gums can lead to engine deposits.
Insoluble gums can plug fuel filters.

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Speight, J.G.,The Chemistry and technology of Petroleum 4th ed.,CRC press Taylor and Francis group783

Mechanism:
Oxidation reaction free radical chain reaction
Antioxidants terminates chain reaction deactivate metals(oxidizing agent)
present in fuel.

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antioxidants from https://www.atc-europe.org/public/Doc113%202013-10-01.pdf Referred on 8/10 /2015

Diesel additives
Quality improvement by the addition of additives has also become popular for diesel fuels.

1)Conductivity improvers
Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) contains less than 15 ppm sulphur.
ULSD improves exhaust emissions, but removing the sulphur results in a loss of lubricity and
conductivity of the fuel.
Conductivity improvers enhance the conductivity of the blended fuel at very low treat rates.
Minimum conductivity specification - 25 pS/m (pico-Siemens per meter) by ASTM.
Typical treat rates are in the range of 1-40 mg/kg.

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diesel additives referred from https://www.atc-europe.org/public/Doc113%202013-10-01.pdf

Mechanism
Fuels distribution systems(pipelines) static charge risk of fire or explosion hazard.
In order to transport fuels safely, conductivity improvers are added to fuel to dissipate static
charge .

2)Biocides
Used to prevent biological growth.
Usually in storage tanks of fuel.
Bacterial growth results in acid environment which can corrode tanks.
Causes plugging of filter and increase the maintenance of engine.
Minimizing water content is the best way to prevent growth.

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A complete treatment for biological contamination should involve four steps:

1)Drain all water from the system
2)Treat the entire system with a biocide
3)Filter all fuel (preferably into a clean tank) before use in a diesel engine
4)Clean the contaminated tank.

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Thank you

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