Abstract
Fuel filter plugging by metal carboxylates (“soaps”) is a worldwide issue that affects vehicles of all duty cycles. It is a problem that is both systemic in its origins and elusive in its emergence which has made it particularly difficult to ascertain the mechanism of formation. Herein, we report on a method to produce and replicate plugging in a fashion that is reasonably close to conditions that would exist in the field. Metals and bases from oils and salts were tested and this examination thoroughly shows that oil is not a viable source of base or metal regarding metal carboxylate formation in the field. This study does show that certain ordinary salts undergo metathesis with an ammonium carboxylate intermediate already in the fuel to induce plugging in a manner analogous to the mechanism below.
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