Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
(OP)
We have run into a problem on some of our projects.
We have emergency generators which are being fueled with "off road" diesel fuel which has a red dye added to it.
We are having leaks at the packing nut of the fusible link valves. Suppliers are telling us it is the red dye in the diesel fuel which is causing the deterioration.
My question is whether anybody has any experience with this and what was done.
We have emergency generators which are being fueled with "off road" diesel fuel which has a red dye added to it.
We are having leaks at the packing nut of the fusible link valves. Suppliers are telling us it is the red dye in the diesel fuel which is causing the deterioration.
My question is whether anybody has any experience with this and what was done.





RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
Blacksmith
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
www.carpenterandsmith.com/fuel_dye.html
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
Ruble3, jet turbine has micrometer nozzles with millionths tolerance and is probably clogged easy, I would trust manufactures' tests to government spokesman anyday (did he fly in plane full of dyed fuel to interview...probably not.)
If dye clogs nozzle would that not help seal poor packing nuts? Like Stopleak in car?
Get second opinion from other supplier.
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
We experienced a red dye leak on an additive storage tank due to the "salt" corrosion. We had to epoxy coat the inside of the replacement tank to prevent this in the future.
In our review of the incident, we also found a dye manufacturing change that may be causing problems. A few years back the actual solution was changed. Today the concentrations of xylene and toluene are higher than before. We were told these chemicals will destroy any Teflon seats, seals or pipe tape very quickly. Keep in mind though this is a 100% concentration of red dye. I believe the IRS injection requirement is only 11%. Once in the fuel, it is miscible much like anti-freeze in water.
We used Viton in all seals etc. for fittings 2" or greater. It was very hard to locate smaller fittings that could be fitted with Viton. The vendors can't guarantee that Viton won't break down as these concentrations are at or above recommended levels for the Viton product. We also upsized all small piping from Schedule 40 to Schedule 80 in case of salt settling when the system is not used.
Again I stress all of these changes were for the red dye only. We have never experienced such leaks or corrosion after the dye has been injected into the Heating Oil/ Off Road fuel.
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
Can you provide more info to dye manufacturing change? What chemicals is this made now?
Thank you.
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
RE: Red dye in Diesel Fuel - valve packing problem
How much is leaking?