For diesel fuel literally hundreds of different additives are available to improve winter performance. For biodiesel only a handful of commercially available antigel additives exist, most designed around B20 mixtures (20% biodiesel/80% diesel). For diesel fuel the primary additive is kerosene (often called #1 fuel oil), this reduces the gel point considerably down to about -30 F. For biodiesel, kerosene alone is NOT very effective at lowering the cloud point or the gel point even at K50 (50% kerosene).

In our hands, antigels are only effective at the moderately cold temperatures  (30 - 50 degrees F range) of spring and fall, primarily because mixing at cold temperatures is usually inadequate.  For lower temperatures, strategic heating is the preferred strategy for using biodiesel.

Arctic Express Biodiesel Antigel

How much do I need?

1. 1 qt/ 50 gallons of B100- our testing suggests that this does not significantly change the gel or cloud point

2. 1qt/ 125 gallons of B40 - estimate that this is effective down to about 0 degrees Farenheit for cold filter-plugging

3. 1 qt/ 250 gallons of B20 - according to manufacturer, this should work down to -30 F for VO-biodiesel, our field trials suggest that with our WVO-biodiesel the limit is -10 F.

Procedure for use:

Proper mixing of the components is essential.   The following should give an adequate amount of mixing.  It should be done at the warmest possible temperatures. 

1. Start with an empty or nearly empty storage tank.

2. Add the antigel agent - it will sink to the bottom of the tank (water in the bottom of the tank will cause problems here- see home heating page).

3. Add the diesel fuel to the antigel.

4. Add the biodiesel.