Diesel Fuel Heaters for Arctic Vehicles

The best method to improve low temperature operability of diesel fuel systems at subzero conditions is the application of fuel heaters which allow to solve the problems of low temperature filterability and pumpability of the fuels also to lower the level of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption by diesel owing to the improvement of fuel combustion. Besides, a wide application of fuel heaters for diesel engines newly produced vehicles and of those currently in operation opens up opportunities for reducing oil consumption by land vehicles and increasing diesel fuel resources at minimum cost.

Based on the results of comparative analysis of various types of fuel heaters it has been shown that the heaters which utilize engine cooling system heat and whose heat exchange surfaces have efficient finning are the most suitable for arctic application.

This paper presents some test results of fuel system with chosen type of fuel heater at ambient temperature of -60 C both in cold chamber chassis dynamometr and arctic regions.