Clean diesel and fuel contamination issues for mining equipment

On the one hand, cleaner diesel is key to getting the best performance and efficiency from the latest mining equipment but questions remain regarding the benefits of bulk supply, the value of on-board filtration systems and other costs associated with higher fuel quality.

When it comes to the industry’s powerful earthmoving equipment, all the big name manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Leibherr, Hitachi, etc are using Tier 4 or higher, diesel engines to power their machines. This is because they need to meet strict emissions controls in Europe and the US.

With their state-of-the-art high pressure fuel injection systems, these engines are designed for maximum fuel efficiency, which they deliver – if you use the right fuel – high quality, filtered diesel. The downside of this latest engine technology is the increased sensitivity of its components and the engine’s reduced operating tolerances when using the same diesel fuel that worked perfectly in earlier models of the same machine. The engines have changed, the fuel quality has not.

Fuel contaminants are nothing new. Typical contaminants such as water, algae, bacteria, fungus, debris and dust particles as well as other microbial agents enter the fuel supply chain every time fuel is transferred – from the refinery to fuel tanker ships to holding tanks, road tankers and fuel stations – that’s before it gets anywhere near your equipment’s sensitive, state-of-the-art engine. The effects of these contaminants can include:

• Clogged intake valves
• Premature wear and tear on engine components
• Reduced air flow
• Reduced engine power and performance

The end result is increased downtime for unscheduled maintenance, along with the additional costs associated with repairing fuel injection hoses and nozzles. And unlike the fuel injection systems that prevailed in the mining industry a decade ago, replacing components for these highly sophisticated electronically controlled systems is expensive.

The most cost-effective way to guarantee diesel fuel cleanliness is by filtering diesel every time you fill the tank, using a high quality after-market filter, or filling your fuel tanks only with Final Filtered Diesel^® fuel.

Getting the cleanest diesel fuel possible isn’t only a problem for the mining industry. It’s an issue across all the major industries in Australia, which is why we’re devoting a seven-part series to explain the business benefits of cleaner diesel. Next time, we’ll be looking at the impact fuel contamination is having on the aviation industry. 

Mining equipment reliability and availability are key to controlling your costs. To keep your machines operating at their peak, contact us to arrange delivery of final filtered diesel today.