Simple Tips for Preventing Fuel Contamination

The performance of a vehicle or any other machine operating on gasoline can be adversely affected if the quality of the fuel is below par. Contaminants in gasoline have always been thorns in the skins of fuel handlers. The fuel needs to be protected. The value of the fuel goes down when it contains contaminants. Apart from affecting the performance of the machine, it can also be a major cause corrosion of the tank. 

Fuel contamination – Causes

Mixing biodiesels  

Mixing biodiesels increases the chances of contamination as biodiesels are easily oxidized. Reaction taking place between biodiesels and oxygen result into peroxides. This eventually results in the formation of acids. These acids further form resins and gums. Resins and gums can block fuel filters.  

Water

The prevalence of water with biodiesel is more than conventional diesel. People usually think that the water issue exists with ethanol only. However, biodiesel absorbs more water. The real potential of microbial colonies is surfaced when a layer of water is accumulated.

Apart from these two, there are a few other contaminants contaminating fuel such as:

Dirt

Rust

Sand

Usually, these contaminants are introduced when you are handling the fuel, for example, when you are transferring the fuel using a gasoline transfer pump.

Remedies

Contamination of gasoline is a major issue. However, this issue can be addressed easily. Following are the suggestions for fuel handlers:

Buy Fuel from a Reputable Store

Reputable distributors of gasoline take all preventive measures to address this issue. They turn over higher volumes of gasoline. Therefore, they always make sure that this problem is not passed to you.

Keep Tank Clean and Well Maintained 

Tanks require regular maintenance. It is important to clean the tank on a regular basis as rust in the tank can also contaminate the fuel. Even when there is no additive in the fuel, it can get contaminated when the tank is not clean and well-maintained.

Keep the Gasoline Transfer Pump Clean   

    

Contaminants like dust and dirt are also added when you are transferring fuel. Therefore, make sure that the gasoline transfer pump is clean and well maintained.

Filter Fuel

Run the fuel through a filtration system when you fill up the tank.

Conduct Regular Test 

Testing the fuel regularly for water and microbes will help in keeping this problem at bay. Prevent the establishment of microbial contaminates using biocides after every 90 days.

Contaminated fuel can damage the engine. Therefore, transfer fuel using a clean gasoline transfer pump, keep the fuel transfer pump clean and well maintained, and take the remaining preventive measures. 

Fuel Contamination: What You Need to Know About Jet Fuel Contamination

An aircraft uses from hundreds to several thousand gallons of jet fuel every day. The most important thing to run turbine powered aircraft properly and without a flaw is to ensure that fuel is free from contamination. Contaminants can cause the aircraft and engine run faultily. From fuel system corrosion to failure of aircraft fuel system, contaminated fuel badly affects the engine during flight. For a perfect flight, you need a clean and puncture-resistant aircraft bladder tank for fuel storage and jet fuel free from contamination. 

There are different types of contaminants that we need to be aware of. The following are the common jet fuel contaminants

•    Water

•    Microbial growth

•    Particulate

In this blog post, we will talk about the most common jet fuel contaminant i.e. water.

Water

When water mixed up with fuel, it can be held as suspended particles in the fuel and in liquid form. A number of suspended particles depend on the temperature of the fuel. With the increase in the temperature of the fuel, water particles draw the moisture and maintain a saturated solution. However, with the decrease in the temperature of the fuel, some of the water particles in the fuel are drawn out of the solution and slowly gather at the bottom of the fuel cell.

Water can damage a jet fuel tank in following ways:

•          It can promote corrosion in fuel system components.

•          A lot of water can form ice crystals and clog fuel lines, components or filters.

•          Water can disturb or even stop the fuel supply to the engine.

•          If enough water is present in the fuel, there are chances to flourish bacteria or microorganism that feed on the hydrocarbons in the fuel.

•          Water can degrade the fuel quality as well.

Tips for identification and prevention of fuel contamination

There are several ways that can help in preventing fuel contamination. Here are some techniques that will help your fuel tank to be protected:

•          The basic and most important way is to cover all open lines during maintenance.

•          Regular fuel sampling can help to reduce this problem. It will help to reduce microbial growth and freezing associated with water.

•          Fuel sampling also helps to remove any accumulated fuel if done at the low point fuel drains.

•          Adding food coloring to jet fuel help in spotting the amount of water in the fuel.