Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel contamination by microbes, fungus, and bacteria is a common problem, especially in marine, farming, and fleet operations. This contamination, often referred to as diesel bug or diesel algae, is caused by microorganisms that feed on the hydrocarbons in the fuel and create biomass, biofilms, and harmful by-products. These microbes can enter the fuel through water condensation or exposure to air and cause issues such as clogged filters, engine damage, and fuel degradation. While testing and sampling of the fuel can help detect microbial growth, prevention is key, and this can be achieved by controlling water buildup, using fuel stabilizers, and maintaining the fuel system's cleanliness. In cases of severe contamination, external filtration, biocides, and fuel polishing services may be required to remove the fungus and restore the diesel fuel to its original state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microbial contamination in diesel fuel | Inevitable |
| Microbial contamination causes | Water buildup, condensation, and stagnant fuel |
| Microbial contamination signs | Fuel discoloration, rotten fuel smell, black exhaust smoke, frequent fuel filter replacement, frequent fuel injector cleaning/replacement, premature wearing of rings and cylinder liners |
| Microbial contamination prevention | Control tank water buildup, microbial testing, fuel stabilizers, fuel polishing systems, biocides, fuel tank insulation, routine discharging of water bottoms, regular tank cleaning and inspections |
| Microbial contamination treatment | Biocides, fuel polishing services, magnets, fuel stabilizers, anti-microbe fuel conditioners, immunoassay antibody tests, ATP testing |
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What You'll Learn
How to prevent fungus in diesel fuel
Microbial contamination is now the biggest cause of fuel problems in stored fuels. The best way to prevent microbial diesel fuel contamination is to control tank water buildup. Microbes don't need very much water to grow and thrive, so even the smallest amounts of water can lead to microbial contamination.
- Restricting the infiltration of water is key to limiting the problem.
- Use biocides like Bell Performance Bellicide to kill microbes.
- Use diesel microbial growth removers like CleanBoost® Anti-Microbe Fuel Conditioner.
- Use preventative doses of diesel fuel biocides approved by the EPA.
- Use products like Bell Performance Dee-Zol and DFS Plus to control tank water buildup.
- Regularly test your fuel.
- Fuel tank insulation, a procedure to stabilize fuel temperature, can also be used.
- Routinely discharge the water bottoms where the microbes grow.
- In the event that sludge has already developed, it should be removed fast and on a regular basis to prevent it from growing.
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How to identify contaminated diesel fuel
Microbial contamination, also known as diesel bug or diesel fungus, is almost always present in diesel fuel to some degree. It is caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi, which can enter the fuel as soon as it leaves the refinery. These microbes can live in even the smallest amounts of water, often from condensation, and at the interface of fuel and water, where they can create thick mats known as biomass. They can also coat surfaces and climb up storage tank walls by creating a biofilm.
- Fuel discolouration: Infected fuel often turns a dark khaki colour instead of the bright yellow-green of fresh diesel.
- Rotten fuel smell: Microbes produce sulphuric acidic byproducts that give off a characteristic smell.
- Black exhaust smoke at system startup: This is caused by the engine's inability to completely combust the contaminated fuel, as well as the deposits and byproducts from the microbes.
- Frequent fuel filter replacement: Microbes produce biomass or biofilm byproducts that clog filters, leading to the need for more frequent replacement.
- More frequent cleaning or replacement of fuel injectors: Similar to fuel filters, microbes can cause corrosion and deposits on fuel injectors, requiring more frequent cleaning or replacement.
- Premature wearing of rings and cylinder liners: Microbial byproducts can increase corrosion and produce deposits that cause premature wear, leading to higher oil consumption.
- Increased fuel pump stress: Contaminated fuel can put undue stress on the fuel pump, which is responsible for delivering fuel from the tank to the engine at the correct pressure. Abrasive particles can wear down internal pump components, while water and microbial growth can cause corrosion and blockages.
- Fuel pump malfunction symptoms: Similar to clogged filters, a contaminated fuel pump can exhibit symptoms such as reduced fuel pressure, decreased fuel flow, and increased fuel temperature.
- Microbial testing: In-field microbial tests, such as ATP-By-Filtration or immunoassay antibody tests like FUELSTAT®, can provide a clear indication of microbial contamination and its severity. These tests are quick, easy to use, and can be conducted on-site, giving results within minutes.
It is important to note that even the best housekeeping methods can fail to prevent microbial contamination, and once it occurs, the only way to permanently eliminate it is to use a biocide. Therefore, early detection and proactive management are crucial to prevent major problems and costly repairs.
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Testing methods for microbial contamination
Microbial contamination is now the biggest cause of fuel problems in stored fuels. Testing is the third arm of the Hybrid Approach to Fuel Care, which also includes chemical and mechanical methods, and is considered best practice for taking care of stored fuel. Testing is important as it gives a clearly defined problem to address, rather than relying on inferences.
There are several testing methods available to detect microbial contamination in diesel fuel. Immunoassay antibody tests, such as FUELSTAT®, are quick and easy to use, giving results within minutes. They are also relatively inexpensive, requiring minimal equipment, and can be conducted on-site, which is invaluable for showing if a microbial problem has been solved. These tests detect the specific microbes that threaten fuel, and the results are given in a 'traffic light' system, removing the need to calculate contamination levels.
ATP testing is another method, which detects any living microorganism present, including those that aren't dangerous to fuel, such as E. coli and the flu. This test requires a 'reader', which is costly, and the testing is usually conducted off-site in a laboratory, adding time and expense to the process.
In-field microbial testing, such as ATP-By-Filtration, can also be used to determine the level of microbial contamination and whether the problem has been solved.
Microbiological testing services and kits are also available from companies such as Intertek, to help clients determine the nature of any microbial "bug" infestation of fuel and decide on the best course of action.
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Diesel fuel biocide treatments
Microbial contamination is now the biggest cause of fuel problems in stored fuels. The first indication of microbial contamination is often mucous-like accumulations on fuel filters, discolouration, and a rotten fuel smell. The only way to get rid of microbial contamination is to use a biocide treatment to kill the microbes.
One such treatment is Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide, which is a dual-phased biocide effective in both diesel fuel and water. It kills microbes in diesel fuel, including bacteria and fungi. It is also effective as a “quick-kill” biocide and for long-term diesel fuel maintenance. It can be added to storage tanks or fuel tanks for the control of microbial growth in diesel oil, fuel oil, gasoline, or kerosene.
Another biocide treatment is Bellicide, which is used to eliminate and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in finished fuels such as diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, and Bunker C fuel oil. It is also used to prevent the biodegradation of crude, refined, and feedstock oils and fats during storage. Bellicide has been shown to be effective at killing microbes within two hours and continues to kill fuel-borne microbes for up to four weeks.
In-field microbial testing, such as ATP-By-Filtration, can be used to determine the presence and extent of microbial contamination. Immunoassay antibody tests, such as FUELSTAT®, are another quick and easy option for testing diesel fuel for microbial contamination.
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How to remove fungus from diesel tanks
Microbial contamination in diesel tanks is a common issue. Microbes, including bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, can enter the tank through air and water and cause operational issues and serious corrosion. This contamination will block filters and clog up injectors, thereby causing problems with fuel gauging systems.
Use a Biocide
The only way to permanently end microbial contamination is to kill the microbes with a biocide. Biocide treatments are the most commonly used method of getting rid of diesel algae. Products like Bell Performance Bellicide and Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide Treatment are designed to kill microbes in fuel, including bacteria and fungi. However, if biocides are introduced too frequently, they can lead to the development of biocide-resistant microbes. Over time, biocides can also corrode the fuel system, causing costly repairs. Therefore, it is important to use biocides sparingly and only when necessary.
Test for Microbial Contamination
Regular testing is the key to preventing diesel bug problems and detecting issues early on. Immunoassay antibody tests, such as FUELSTAT®, are quick and easy to use, providing results within minutes. They reliably detect specific microbes that threaten fuel without requiring special sterility measures. Other testing methods, such as ATP testing, can also be used but may be more costly and time-consuming due to off-site laboratory testing.
Use High-Quality Diesel Fuel
Using high-quality diesel fuel that is less likely to contain contaminants and impurities can help prevent microbial growth. Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, for example, has more problems with microbial contamination due to its reduced ability to carry water in solution. This leads to increased water shedding at the bottom of fuel tanks, creating an ideal environment for microbes.
Treat with a Diesel Additive
Using a diesel additive that removes water from the fuel can help prevent microbial growth. Frequently drain the water from your water separator. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), also known as bio-fuel, attract and hold water, increasing the risk of microbial growth.
Maintain the Fuel Tank
Regularly cleaning and maintaining the fuel tank and fuel lines can prevent the buildup of debris and sediment, creating an unfavourable environment for microbes. If your engine will be sitting for a prolonged period, consider using a fuel stabilizer to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microbial contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Signs of microbial contamination include fuel discoloration, a rotten smell, and black exhaust smoke.
Microbial growth in fuel storage is triggered by condensation, which creates an environment for microbes to grow and feed on the hydrocarbons in the fuel.
To prevent microbial growth, lessen the exposure of diesel fuel to water. Fuel tank insulation can also help stabilize fuel temperature.
You can use a mobile fuel polishing system to circulate and filter the fuel. Alternatively, you can use a biocide treatment to kill the fungus, but be cautious as biocides are toxic and can lead to biocide-resistant microbes.
Microbial contamination can lead to operational issues, corrosion, and engine damage.
