Fuel Hygiene Guide

Why biofuel content increases the risk of contamination

Road diesel and gasoil now contains a percentage of biofuel (up to 7% in the UK). Whilst biofuels provide a range of environmental benefits such as reducing carbon emissions, they are more prone to contamination from water and microbial growth. This emphasises the importance of better fuel hygiene.  Biodiesel is hygroscopic (it absorbs water molecules from the surrounding atmosphere), which provides an ideal breeding ground for diesel/gasoil bugs.

What are diesel bugs?

‘Diesel bugs’ is an informal term for the microorganisms that can live and grow in diesel fuel systems. They’re a blend of bacteria and fungi that form when water mixes with fuel, often at the bottom of tanks. Over time, the microbes feed on components in the fuel and multiply to form colony forming units. This can become a major problem, since they cause a sludge-like contamination in tanks, which can clog filters, degrade fuel quality, and ultimately contaminate your fuel. Contaminated fuel brings its own set of problems: unexpected breakdowns and increased maintenance can have a major impact on operational efficiency and costs.

Preventing fuel contamination

There are a variety of good practices that help to maintain good fuel hygiene, and at Hytek, we provide the products necessary to keep fuel contamination at bay. Prevention methods include:

Regular tank inspection:

• Keeping an eye on the condition of stored fuel is vital. From water to sludge build-up, a simple inspection is a straightforward way to identify potential issues before they become a major problem. Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste detects water present in a fuel tank – it is the perfect accessory for tank inspection.

View Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste here

Filtration:

• A reliable filtration system removes contaminants such as water, dirt, and microbial matter from fuel to ensure clean delivery to engines and equipment. At Hytek, we stock a wide range Cim-Tek filters, designed to keep your fuel clean.

View Cim-Tek Filters here

Fuel conditioning:

• Fuel conditioning improves the quality and performance of fuel, helping engines run more efficiently and reliably. Our RKA fuel conditioner/re-circulator recirculates & conditions fuel, preventing fuel degradation inside the storage tank. It breaks the bond between microbes, allowing them to be burnt off harmlessly in the engines combustion chamber.

View the RKA here