Addressing the Performance and Stability Issues of Biodiesel Blends

Reinhardt Home Heating | Oneonta, NY

A family-owned heating oil dealer founded in 1937.

Dan Mattice, CEO

Background:

Founded in 1937, Reinhardt Home Heating has a long-standing reputation for reliable fuel delivery, safety, and personalized customer service in New York’s Appalachian region.

The Challenge of Biodiesel Blends (Bioheat® fuel)

Biodiesel blends are a larger part of the supply mix, with a 10% blend mandate in New York, where Reinhardt Home Heating serves over 3,500 customers. Ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) blended with Bioheat® fuel (biodiesel blends like B5–B20 and beyond) behaves differently during storage, handling, and distribution—leading to stability and performance issues.

Maintaining a Proactive Fuel Quality Strategy with HeatDoc™ SZP

Reinhardt addresses these challenges by treating its fuel with HeatDoc™ SZP. An advanced pour-point depressant and fuel conditioner from Advanced Fuel Solutions (AFS), SZP helps reduce water contamination and supports cold-weather operability, allowing Reinhardt to maintain the level of service its customers have come to expect.

How it works: 

SZP lowers a heating fuel's pour point to help maintain flow in cold weather, reduce the need for kerosene blending, and preserve BTU content. It also contains a jet-fuel-type deicing chemistry that actively manages water introduced through tank vents as humidity. By dispersing moisture, SZP prevents fuel system icing and water-related service issues.

“With biodiesel blends (Bioheat® fuel), cold-weather flow and moisture control are two of the biggest variables that can impact reliability. HeatDoc™ SZP helps us deliver fuel that performs more consistently across seasons, which directly supports our goal of reducing avoidable emergency service calls and their associated risks, while taking better care of our customers.” —Dan Mattice, Reinhardt Home Heating CEO

Supporting Long-term Fuel Stability and Protection 

Beyond cold-flow improvement and moisture control, SZP also supports long-

term fuel stability by limiting oxidation, reducing sludge formation, inhibiting corrosion,

and protecting tanks and fuel system components—benefits that are especially valuable

in older residential storage systems.

“SZP was developed to address the real-world challenges dealers face with Bioheat®

fuel,” notes Tom Ostrow, New York Territory Manager, Advanced Fuel Solutions. “By

lowering pour point and managing water at a molecular level, it helps dealers like

Reinhardt maintain fuel flow, protect equipment, and reduce fuel-related disruptions,” he adds.

Experiencing issues with your biodiesel blends? Contact AFS for a complimentary fuel analysis.

About AFS

Founded in 1994, Advanced Fuel Solutions formulates proprietary, high-performance

fuel additive technologies for diesel, gasoline, biodiesel, marine fuels, and home heating

oil. AFS serves bulk fuel terminals, wholesalers, distributors, heating oil dealers, fleets,

and end users throughout the United States, helping customers improve fuel quality.