Got Bugs In Your Fuel?
Got Bugs In Your Fuel?
The quality of fuel stored for generators and backup systems can degrade over time because of polishing problems, affecting the daily activities of your company. At Clean Fuels we ensure that your petroleum-consuming equipment and deposits run at the top of their efficiency, improving the productivity of your business. Having a HEALTHY FUEL SUPPLY saves you time and money. Don’t take the risks associated with dirty fuel.
What are micro-organisms or bugs?
The scientific names for the most common types of organisms that live in petroleum products are Cladosporium resinae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The organisms are either air or water-borne and contaminate fuel systems by entering through vents, standing water in sump bottoms, dissolved free water, or trash incurred during the transportation or delivery of the fuel.
What do these bugs do?
These slimy bugs live and multiply in the fuel/water interface. They exist in the water and feed off the hydrocarbons in the fuel. They are in the water and feed off the hydrocarbons in the fuel. They are referred to as Hydrocarbon Utilizing Microorganisms, commonly known as H.U.M. Bugs. As they grow, they form mats that are dark in color and appear gel-like. Their waste produces water, sludge, acids, and other harmful by-products. Microorganisms will consume rubber gaskets, O-rings, hoses, tank linings, and coatings in an effort to obtain their mineral content.
Do they pose a threat to my equipment?
YES!! A major threat! Once they become established in fuel, they will double in population every 20 minutes. Eventually, they form a mat of black, brown, or green slime. This slime poses a serious hazard to both equipment and storage facilities. For example, its destructive forces will clog fuel filters, fuel lines, and gauges; corrode pumps and injectors, cause washers, hoses, and connectors to swell and blister; degrade fuel and cause poor fuel economy. This contamination can also prevent water and particulate from settling out of the fuel. Also, in plugging of filters and fuel and product lines, contamination can cause unexpected and excessive downtime, equipment failure, and/or unpreparedness in cases of emergencies or power outages for backup equipment.
Can contaminated fuel be treated?
YES, but the fuel must be filtered and the storage tank must also be cleaned. The CLEAN FUELS technology can filter the fuel and clean the tank with its all-in-one process then add an algaecide that can retard the growth of any remaining algae and then kill these bugs.
What causes microbial contamination in fuels?
It is caused by living microscopic cells. They can be either bacteria or fungi, such as mold. The same thing happens to a loaf of bread or a piece of cheese. Even if kept refrigerated, it can be contaminated with mold. The same thing occurs when fuel becomes colonized by HYDROCARBON UTILIZING MICRO-ORGANISMS. Microbes can enter the tank through the vents, fill tubes, or be sucked in by the breathing action of the fuel tank during the fluctuation in temperature and tank volume. Also, the fuel that sits in a tank is more susceptible to contamination than fuel that is rapidly consumed, such as fuel that is used for a backup generation system compared to a high-volume service station where the fuel is used and replaced frequently.