Microbiological Contamination of Diesel Fuel

Diesel is one of the most widely used fuels in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. In fact, a recent study found that microbiological contamination of diesel fuel is pervasive and is likely to continue to increase in the future.
As Conida explains (https://conidia.com), microbes can survive in diesel fuel, which is why keeping diesel fuel clean is so important. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to clean diesel fuel that can help you keep your fuel clean and your engines running smoothly.

Microbiological Contamination of Diesel Fuel

Microbial is a characteristic of a microorganism which is a bacterium, a disease causing organism. A bacterium or fungi that contaminates diesel is referred to as a diesel bug. These microbes infect the fuel once it is exposed to agents that accelerate the formation of bacteria and fungi. The contamination spreads because of the presence of water in the oil because oil and water don’t mix well, but the contamination occurs on the interface between the oil and water or on the tank walls. Other things that may contaminate fuel apart from water and microbial organisms are:

• Wax
• Hard particles
• Debris and other sediments.

As soon as fuel leaves the safe confines of a refinery it is exposed to microbes. Like any other contamination, time is a huge factor in the development of the contamination. The contamination may cause the quality of fuel to depreciate, the corrosion of the fuel tanks and the result of these could cause engine failure.

How To Manage The Risks Of Diesel Fuel Contamination

Bacteria and fungi contamination is a sign of an unclean environment. Keeping your fuel clean requires certain measures taken to ensure the quality of the fuel is not compromised. It is virtually impossible to keep water from the fuel tanks but the entry of water can be mitigated by sealing off any holes or making sure the storage tank is air tight because if air seeps in it may condense to form water droplets.
Proper storage of fuel is a measure that can save you a lot of trouble. Fuel should be stored at room temperature and away from hot surfaces or materials that may produce heat and most of all away from children who may compromise the storage of the fuel. If there is free water in the tank it could be removed by using a centrifugal purifier.
Test for fuel contamination regularly to keep you in the loop on the status of your fuel. Microbial testing is regular monitoring and maintenance of fuel to give early warning of contamination issues.

How To Identify Diesel Contamination

You can notice contamination by just looking at the fuel and its storage conditions. Fuel that is contaminated is cloudy or dark, clear and bright fuel is perfect for use. If it looks cloudy, this means the fuel is contaminated. The cloudy appearance is a layer of sludge that has formed due to contamination. If there is free water in the tank that is one sign of contamination and the presence of free water causes corrosion of the tank. Water settles at the bottom once it enters the tank and when the tank is almost empty that’s when the actual damage happens. Rust will start forming at the bottom because that’s what is left when the tank is almost empty.

Common Microbial Fuel Contamination Symptoms

Diesel contamination is a common issue among machines; you may notice a decrease in the revolutions per minute and the decrease in power of the machine. Other performance related indications are trouble in starting the engine, lag in acceleration when stepping on the pedal and abnormal exhaust fumes.

Microbiological Contamination of Diesel Fuel: Wrapping Up

Fuel is a precious commodity which should be stored in an air tight environment, free from air and water. Measures to ensure your diesel is in good condition should be taken seriously because it may cause damage to the engine you are using and inadvertedly cause an accident. Maintaining diesel fuel is not easy but necessary to avoid all the dangers that can be averted. Having a keen eye and always being alert to the danger should be a routine.