This episode discusses the effects of prolonged hot weather on stored fuel and offers preventative measures. Heat accelerates fuel degradation, increases water buildup, and promotes microbial growth.
The host recommends three key steps to combat these issues: 1) Regularly check for water in storage tanks and remove it promptly. 2) Treat fuel with a stabilizer early in summer to slow degradation. 3) Conduct microbial testing, preferably using ATP By Filtration methodology, at the beginning and end of summer. If elevated microbial levels are detected, treat with biocide. These proactive steps can help maintain fuel quality and prevent costly problems in hot weather conditions.
Listen to the Full Episode:
What You'll Learn:
- How prolonged heat exposure affects stored fuel
- The impact of temperature on fuel evaporation and composition
- Why hot weather increases water buildup in fuel tanks
- The connection between heat, water, and microbial growth in fuel
- Three key strategies to protect fuel during hot weather
- The advantages of quantifiable microbial testing methods
- Why ATP by Filtration is recommended for microbial testing
- How to approach microbial testing if you can't afford specialized equipment
- The importance of proactive fuel management in hot weather
Ideas Worth Sharing:
Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:
- "Heat affects fuel by affecting its evaporation, changing the fuel's composition, accelerating fuel instability, increasing water buildup in the fuel, and by making microbial contamination markedly easier to develop."
- "Microbial contamination is killed by adding biocide to the contaminated fuel. It is not killed, it is not solved, by removing water, contrary to what some in the industry might want to say."
- "Doing ATP by filtration methodology requires a specialized piece of equipment called the Illuminometer. If we had to name a downside for ATP by filtration, the start-up cost could be a little higher."
Resources:
Show Notes:
Introduction [00:00:00]
Recap and Context [00:01:00]
- Follow-up to the previous episode on hot weather and fuel
- Focus on practical implications and protective measures
Effects of Heat on Stored Fuel [00:02:00]
- Increased evaporation rate
- Changes in fuel composition
- Acceleration of chemical reactions in fuel
Water-Related Issues [00:10:00]
- Increased water dissolution in fuel at higher temperatures
- Cycle of water absorption and release due to temperature changes
- Specific concerns for ethanol-blended gasoline
Microbial Contamination [00:14:00]
- Link between heat, water, and microbial growth
- Explanation of how microbes thrive in fuel systems
Best Practice Recommendations [00:16:00]
1. Regular water checks [00:17:00]
- Using tank stick and water paste
- Importance of immediate water removal
2. Early fuel stabilization [00:20:00]
- Adding stabilizer at the beginning of summer
- Options for late treatment
3. Microbial testing [00:22:00]
- Importance of quantifiable results
- ATP by filtration methodology
- Alternative testing options
Timing of Microbial Testing [00:29:00]
- Recommendation to test at the beginning and end of summer
Summary and Conclusion [00:30:00]
- Recap of main points
- Importance of proactive planning and commitment to fuel management
Closing Remarks [00:32:00]
- Call to subscribe and rate the podcast
