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Algae in Diesel? Algae belongs in the sea!
As the years since the implementation of ultra-low sulfur diesel for all onroad diesel fuels stretch out, more and more professionals are learning...
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When considering diesel fuel contamination by microbes, 'the devil is in the details'.
Me: Are you using a diesel fuel additive to eliminate bacteria?
Prospect: Yes, but I’m still having problems.
Me: What did your supplier say that the additive would do?
Prospect: Fight algae in fuel
Me: Does the label say it will “kill” bacteria, mold, or fungus?
Prospect: No, just that it fights algae.
Me: That’s why you’re still having problems.
It's Not Algae
Algae growth in fuel is a misnomer for the problem. What looks like algae is not algae, but a different kind of microbe altogether (bacteria or fungi). Or it may not even be microbe-related – it could be asphaltene accumulation, better known as diesel sludge.
We know it's popular to use the term "algae". Yet, we must remember that 'algae' is a specific type of organism best characterized as a microscopic plant. Algae need light to grow. Since there's no light in storage tanks or fuel systems, whatever's growing in there isn't algae.
If water enters your fuel storage or distribution system through condensation or venting, there’s an excellent probability that it will cause bacteria or fungal growth. That’s different from algae. Many species of bacteria, mold, and fungus can grow in diesel fuel, but algae cannot because algae are plant-based organisms that need light to survive (which they won’t get in virtually any fuel systems). Neither of these is good news for the fuel users unlucky enough to find them.
Ultimately, you will find a certain amount of water in any fuel storage or distribution system. Additional water can come from condensation in the storage tank and during tank filling. The water normally separates due to density and remains at the bottom of the fuel tank, in direct contact with the tank surface and the fuel layer above it. Under the right conditions, microorganisms can grow and multiply at the water/oil interface, where they give off acidic byproducts that lead to corrosion, produce biomass that sticks to solid surfaces, and contribute to an increase in the sediment in the tank. These compounds, as well as the microbial bodies themselves, cause the blockage of fuel filters in diesel engines and fuel systems.
The Only Solution For These Problems
A diesel biocide treatment is the key element. A biocide is the only thing that will solve a microbe problem. Without a biocide, the microbial colonies cannot be killed but continue to multiply.
Deploying a biocide like BELLICIDE eliminates and prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi in finished fuel while preventing the fuel’s biodegradation. For those consumers and companies who rely on stored fuels to drive their businesses, proper deployment of biocides is essential for keeping stored fuels fresh and microbe-free!
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