ENGINES
Is there a better diesel fuel?
Q Recently I fell foul of the dreaded ‘bug’ when a plug of gunk in the fuel line caused our engine to fail at just the wrong moment. We were returning to Conwy after a trip to Ireland and the engine failure necessitated returning to the Menai Strait under sail, and then a night on a mooring in Beaumaris during storm Betty.
An internet search for non-FAME diesel later revealed the existence of something called ‘GTL fuel’ as a straight replacement for diesel, something I’d not heard of but seems to have many advantages over biodiesel. I wonder if you know whether recreational boat users could obtain gas to liquid (GTL) fuel?
Apparently, offshore vessels, inland barges, tourist boats and cruise ships in Europe are already using Shell GTL fuel which is said to offer:
■ 6-13% NOx reduction
■ 15-60% particulate matter reduction
■ Reported noise reduction of approximately 8dB
