Diesel fuel by nature is hygroscopic, which means diesel has the ability to attract and hold water from the environment. It will pick up and retain up to one percent of its weight in water. This is referred to as dissolved or molecular water and cannot be seen with the naked eye. 

The next type is emulsified water, this is generally milky white in color and can be as much as another three percent by weight. This emulsion will break down if the fuel is allowed to stand long enough separating into fuel and free water. 

The last is free water, when the fuel will not hold any more dissolved or emulsified water, free water generally forms as bubbles followed by a layer at the bottom of the storage tank. These various forms of water create a series of challenges and problems that range from a minor annoyance to serious, expensive disasters.

Water can enter anywhere in the storage or transportation chain including leaky tanks, leaky vents, bad gaskets and loose caps. In transit, water can enter fuel as a result of high humidity and even rough seas. When water is present it breeds microorganisms. The main waste product of these organisms is a sulfuric acid compound that EATS and corrodes fuel tanks, lines, pumps, injectors, valves and cylinders.

All fuel is susceptible to the aforementioned problems whether it’s diesel, bio-fuel, gas or ethanol. The solution to these problems is treating with the FPPF vitamins for your fuel.