BP’s advice on long term storage of diesel.

WASP isn’t the only company advising that modern diesel has what can best be described as a ‘shelf life’. Even the fuel companies supplying the diesel agree. BP has issued a document detailing best practice for the long term storage of diesel.

BP notes that:

• Under normal storage conditions diesel fuel can be expected to stay in a useable condition for:
  • 12 months or longer at an ambient of 20ºC.
  • 6-12 months at an ambient temperature higher than 30ºC.
• The ageing process can be accelerated by:
  • The presence of water. Water allows the growth of fungus and bacteria. These produce natural by-products such as organic acids which make the fuel unstable.
  • Exposure to dust and dirt which contain trace elements that can destabilise the fuel such as copper and zinc.
  • Fuel composition. Some components in diesel fuel (especially biodiesel) naturally age quickly.