The low-temperature handling of navy distillate fuels. Phase I. Studies of wax formation on cooling. Research and development report

The temperatures at which wax begins to separate from each of six distillate fuels (four Navy distillates, one diesel fuel marine, and one blending stock) were determined with three different types of apparatus and several modifications of procedure with each apparatus. A thin-film wax formation point procedure developed in the course of these studies appears superior to either the cloud point or the wax appearance point procedure when dark-colored Navy distillate fuels are concerned. Drying of fuels prior to determinations of wax formation temperatures was found to be necessary to eliminate distortion of results. The average wax formation temperature of four Navy distillates was found to lie about 8 F above the average pour point of these fuels. Operation of equipment at 25 F above the pour point of the fuel passing through the apparatus is recommended to preclude the possible plugging of fine openings. (Author)