Good Housekeeping of your Product, Tank Cleaning • 27 March 2014
In recent years an ever increasing problem – commonly known as the ‘Diesel Bug’ – is emerging within fuel storage tanks which contain diesel fuel. Because of the commonality of this problem: questions have been raised. What causes this bug to get into your fuel storage tank? Can and will this happen to everyone?
Diesel Fuel Contamination – What is the ‘Diesel Bug’?
The ‘Diesel bug’ is caused by bacteria which enters a fuel tank and settles in any water and or damp present in the tank. In the right conditions this bacteria will multiply rapidly leading to fuel contamination which may clog up the fuel tank pick up, fuel lines and fuel filtration system along with any other inline components associated with the fuel supply from the tank.
Fuel Contamination from the ‘Diesel Bug’ – fill up on the facts
The ‘Diesel Bug’ tends to come in two main forms: sludge or insoluble organic particles.
Sludge
Sludge – the more common form of the bug being experienced at present – is caused by over 100 different types of bacteria and micro-organisms that live in water and feed off the hydrocarbons in petrol and diesel products. The bacteria live and breed on oxygen that is present in any water which is in the tank or dissolved within the diesel fuel itself.
Insoluble Organic Particles
Otherwise known as Asphaltenes, these Insoluble Organic Particles tend to precipitate out of the ageing of the fuel (old fuel which has been standing) and settle in the bottom of the fuel tank. This method of contamination is less common as most tanks in filling stations have a high turnover with regular deliveries and hence fuel is not often left to stand for lengthy periods of time.
Tell-Tale Signs of Fuel Contamination – when should you be worried?
The tell-tale signs of a fuel tank contaminated by a form of the ‘Diesel Bug’ are fairly obvious:
In Fuel Storage and or Forecourt Tanks:
Diesel pump dispensing becomes slower than usual.
Fuel pump ‘spit-back’ will occur. This can be seen when the pump stops dispensing despite pulling the trigger. Under the pressure of the trigger being pulled, the diesel bug momentarily clears from the filters and allows the flow for only a second: Fuel will then ‘spit out’.
If fuel pump filters have not been cleaned on a regular basis. The ‘Diesel Bug’ is highly likely to be present.
Any of the above ‘symptoms’ unfortunately mean that the fuel tank has ‘Diesel Bug’ contamination. The fuel contamination will worsen unless treated in the correct manner.
What happens if my fuel tank gets filled up with the ‘Diesel Bug’?
Fuel Contamination
If left unchecked the contaminated fuel created by the diesel bug can cause major damage to the fuel injection pumps, fuel injectors and piston crowns.
If contaminated fuel is passed from a storage tank to a vehicle tank, bacteria within the fuel can start colonizing and creating its own environment. This contamination will have a further detrimental effect on the quality of fuel and will clog up fuel filters and injectors.
Don’t stress – the bug can be prevented and cured!
The ‘Diesel Bug’ has been common for so long: because of this methods have been tried and tested with positive results! This bug can be easily managed by carrying out regular servicing and maintenance on your fuel storage tanks and applying a specialised treatment to the fuel.
Tank cleaning processes under Matulor Tank Services Preventative Maintenance program are carried out at intervals best suited to your particular fuel storage conditions and current quality.
Contact us today.
Tel: +27 (0) 861 808 808
Fax: +27 (0) 86 689 1186
