Cold Flow Improvers / WASA

Cold Flow Improver (CFI)

Rapid economic growth calls for high energy demand, with diesel fuel playing a crucial role in the power generation and transport sectors. For refineries in developing countries, maximizing diesel yield poses a significant challenge.

One of the key challenges in increasing diesel yield is adhering to cold flow specifications, which typically include limits on cloud point, pour point, and cold filter plugging point (CFPP). Among these properties, CFPP is particularly useful, providing an accurate prediction of diesel's operability in cold temperatures.

The relationship between CFPP and winter operability is critical, allowing refineries to enhance diesel yield by refining the final boiling point (FBP) to include "heavier" fractions. This enables the conversion of lighter, low-value residues into diesel using CFI.

Many refineries have successfully leveraged Cestoil Chemical's expertise in CFI. We not only provide a diverse range of CFI solutions but also offer services such as designing diesel maximization programs and conducting on-site optimization for diesel production.

To ensure a reliable supply of CFI during winter, Cestoil Chemical has invested in and commissioned a state-of-the-art facility for the production of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), an essential component of CFI.

Wax Anti-Settling Additives (WASA)

While Cold Flow Improvers can reduce CFPP by approximately 10°C, further reductions pose challenges. Beyond this point, the correlation between CFPP and winter operability becomes less effective, leading to excessive wax settling that can clog diesel fuel filters.

For diesel requiring more than 10°C CFPP reduction, the use of co-additives is essential. Known collectively as Wax Anti-Settling Aids (WASA), these additives significantly modify wax crystals, reducing their size and preventing settling. The smaller wax crystals can pass through filters more easily, enhancing operability at lower temperatures.

Additionally, WASA prevents wax settling during the transportation of diesel in winter, facilitating easier discharge into storage tanks.