Pregnancy style test identifies contaminated diesel
Keith Guyett of Fuel Test Australia said the performance and quality of fuel in tanks and bulk storage can be compromised with contamination caused by water and microbes that degrade fuels.
Microbial contamination of diesel fuel.
These microbes, the most dangerous of which is Hormoconis Resinae, commonly referred to as “the Diesel Bug”, work together as a consortium and will eventually result in compounded contamination throughout the tank and entire fuel delivery system, he said.
“Fuel is the largest single expense faced by heavy equipment operators. Assurance of this expensive consumable is critical to engine performance and reliability. Contaminated fuel causes serious and often catastrophic failures to many system components such as tanks, fuel lines, pumps and injectors with engine shutdowns, as a result of blocked filters often occurring at the most inopportune times,” Guyett explained.
“Current methods of testing for microbial contamination in fuels are slow, taking a minimum of 72 hours from the time a sample reaches the laboratory. Accuracy also becomes an issue as accurate testing of fuel from a tank requires the sample to be put on test within six to 12 hours. Most times this is virtually impossible and causes costly delays as it often takes days just to get the sample into the lab.
“Time, convenience and reliability are the reasons why the Fuelstat diesel test kit was developed. The test is simple to use and requires very little training to operate with results obtained and easily interpreted within 10 minutes. It can be used ‘on the shop floor’ and requires no additional equipment.”
“Developed by Conidia Bioscience from their hugely successful aviation test, this innovative pregnancy style test is quick and easy to use, offering operators the ability to test the fuel in their tanks or before it comes aboard or is accepted into stock,” Guyett said.
