Mid-County Newsletter MCnewsletter-fall13 | Page 2

USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

ENERGY

Page 2 www . midcountycoop . com

WINTER FUEL ADDITIVES

Quay Zander Petroleum Operations ( 952 ) 466-3727
quayz @ midcountycoop . com
Is your fuel ready for winter ? We all know that diesel has more challenges than gasoline in the winter . But with proper storage and handling techniques , you too can enjoy trouble-free operation of your diesel vehicles this winter .
Without a proper fuel winter strategy , diesel fuel will gel in cold temperatures . No . 2 diesel typically has a cloud point anywhere from O º F to 12 º F . The cloud point is the temperature at which wax crystals can be seen in the fuel with the naked eye . No . 1 diesel usually has a cloud point of -40 º F . However , during winter months , No . 1 can cost 10- 30 cents more per gallon than No . 2 . Sometimes it is hard to get No . 1 during winter months , and it has lower BTU content , resulting in lower fuel economy . For these reasons it is often more cost effective to utilize cold flow additives . The use of additives will not completely replace the need to use No . 1 diesel , but can save you money by using less No . 1 .
There are different types of cold flow additives , including cold flow improvers , de-icers and WASA . Cold flow improvers help improve low temperature operability of fuel by a process called “ wax crystal modification ,” which inhibits wax crystal growth . De icers help keep water in the fuel system from freezing . WASA ( Wax Anti Settling Agent ) is an important component to a winter additive package . WASA keeps naturally occurring paraffins in diesel suspended in the fuel , preventing them from dropping to the bottom and plugging fuel filters . A combination of these cold flow additives may give the best results for diesel and biodiesel blend winter operability . Biodiesel blends up to 5 % will behave the same as straight No . 2 diesel and can be treated as such . Using higher biodiesel blends is possible in winter , but requires higher additive treat rates or greater percentage of No . 1 blending ,
Besides blending fuel for winter , the elimination of water is the key to avoiding fuel-related problems . Water is caused by condensation of air in warm weather , and hot engines . When temperatures are consistently below 32 º F , the water droplets will cause filter plugging and can damage injectors . It is important to check for water in your storage and vehicle tanks before the cold weather sets in . Because the viscosity of fuel increases in the winter months , we recommend installing a new 10 or 30 micron dispenser filter on your storage tank at the beginning of winter .
Any questions on getting your tank and fuel ready for winter , please give us a call : 952-466- 3720 . Have a safe fall and winter .

USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

New and used equipment &
pumps for sale . You can reach us at ( 952 ) 466-3720
Mid-County , like many businesses , upgrades or changes out equipment from time to time . The current products are not always old and worn out , sometimes they just do not fit the job anymore . We have some of that equipment available for sale : used tanks , pumps , totes . Give us a call . We may just have the right piece of used equipment for you .
Mid-County welcomes Jim Walker to energy sales
As Mid-County Coop ’ s new energy sales representative , Jim Walker of Lakeville is “ energetic ” about serving the fuels , lubricants , and propane delivery needs of Cologne and the surrounding area . “ I ’ ve been meeting farmers and commercial customers , and I ’ m looking forward to working with them ,” said Walker , whose first day was Aug . 14 . Walker has 15 years of experience in the transportation industry , and is a certified commercial and industrial petroleum products specialist . At Mid-County Coop , his job involves enhancing marketing efforts and attending to sales needs of the energy division . “ Mid-County Coop has a very personable group of people ,” Walker said . “ When I walked in , I felt like I was home . I ’ m already making some great friends who share similar interests .”
One of Walker ’ s interests is fishing in “ both soft and hard water ,” i . e . summer fishing and ice fishing . An avid outdoorsman , Walker also enjoys waterfowl hunting , golf , and hockey , and he serves as a coach for youth hockey in Lakeville . When he ’ s not on the move , Walker can be found reading – usually something by Vince Flynn , David Baldacci , or James Patterson – or spending time with his family . “ I am married to Tammy Walker , and we have two awesome children : Emily , 13 ; and Josh , 11 ,” Walker noted . “ We ’ re building a new home in Lakeville .” Walker is looking forward to helping Mid-County Coop ’ s energy department continue to grow . The company was founded in 1935 as a petroleum product supplier for the Carver County area , and today , it serves multiple counties with a convenience store , complete agronomy division , energy department with fuels , lubricants , and propane delivery service ; and an auto , truck and tire repair center . To learn more about Mid-County Coop , go to www . midcountycoop . com or call 888-466-3700 .