winter bio diesel blend "experimenting"
I drive a snowplow in Duluth and have experience with geling diesel. Winter blend diesels mix #1 and #2 in different ratios to provide a protection level against geling. Trust me, you don't want to get caught with the wrong fuel. It'll make itself known only on the coldest days. At work, in my plow, I'll run straight #1 when I know it'll be arround or below zero. It may be over cautious. The difference between how I fuel my snowplow and my TDI are important. I'll use nearly an entire tank of fuel during a snowstorm in my plow. My TDI may not need a filling for a couple weeks, which means the fuel in my tank is what I'll be stuck with if we get a cold snap. Even if I've got straight #2 in the tank and the temp dips, my fuel line may not get added anti gel in time.
I've been experimenting with biodiesel from our local co-op using jars and my freezer (move over vennison). I've found a difference between cloud point and gel point. When a fuel clouds it remains useable, but may contain small solids to plug your fuel filter. A mix of 20% bio and 80% #2 does fine down to about 15, but below that it starts to get lumpy. I've found that once lumpy, adding petrol diesel to bio is a slow process. Even with agitation (simulating driving) the lumps may break up, but only to make smaller solids. The experiments I've done with #1 fair a little better, but adding bio seems quite risky. I'd love to hear from someone who has explored this more than I have. I haven't tried any anti gel additives.
Untill I can look into it more, I'll take the power and mililage hit to make sure I can make it to work when the call comes. I'll continue to run #1 or winter blend diesel when we are looking at sub-zero temps.
I'd love to hear some first hand experinces from others.