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Microbial growth in diesels and other fuels containing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)
Introduction
Industry experience has highlighted that diesel fuels containing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) can have an increased susceptibility to microbial growth. Microbial growth by bacteria and fungi in diesel storage tanks, distribution facilities and end-user tanks can lead to contamination of the diesel with microbial particulates (biomass) which can cause severe lter blocking problems and blocking of fuel lines. Signicant operational issues have already been experienced by some fuel retailers, where rapid onset of pump lter blocking has been encountered. Fuel lter blocking and fuel starvation problems have also been experienced by some truck and bus eets, although, to date, operational problems attributed to microbial contamination of diesel in private cars have been extremely rare. The Energy Institute (EI) has undertaken research to identify the factors that allow microbiological contamination and growth and hence to help guide effective strategies to mitigate that growth. The rst part of the research was the EI Literature review Implications of biofuels on microbial spoilage and corrosion within the fuel distribution chain and end use (May 2008). The second part, laboratory research on which some of these recommendations were based, will be reported in due course. This technical bulletin provides an update to best practice recommended in the 2nd edition (2008) of the EI Guidelines for the investigation of the microbial content of petroleum fuels and for the implementation of avoidance and remedial strategies. These EI documents are available from www.energypublishing.org.
EI Microbiology Committee - May 2011 Copyright 2011 by the Energy Institute a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003 Registered charity number 1097899.
www.energyinst.org
Aviation fuels
FAME is not currently permitted as a deliberate addition to aviation turbine fuels but on occasion FAME may be present in trace amounts due to cross contamination with FAME-containing products during distribution. Currently aviation turbine fuel specications restrict FAME content to a maximum of 5 ppm although there is a current proposal to allow up to 100 ppm of FAME in aviation fuel. Emergency procedures exist to enable limited continued ying operations if FAME is detected up to 30 ppm but this is strictly on a case by case basis. EI research has shown that at these low concentrations there is no signicant increased susceptibility to microbial growth.
EI Microbiology Committee - May 2011 Copyright 2011 by the Energy Institute a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003 Registered charity number 1097899.
www.energyinst.org
EI Microbiology Committee - May 2011 Copyright 2011 by the Energy Institute a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003 Registered charity number 1097899.
www.energyinst.org
Retail sites
Have tanks checked regularly for presence of water and, if appropriate, have this removed. Specialist contractors can assist in removing microbial contamination, cleaning fuel tanks and fuel lines and treating with biocides. Contractors can be used on a routine preventative basis where there is a history of operational problems such as plugging of pump lters and reduced ow at pumps. Experience suggests problems are encountered more commonly in spring and summer and contractors might be utilised accordingly.
For further information on the EIs Microbiology Committee and technical work in this area please contact Kerry Sinclair (technical@energyinst.org). Details of EI microbiology publications are available at www.energypublishing.org. The information contained in this microbiology technical bulletin is provided as guidance only and while every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents, the Energy Institute cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken, or not taken, on the basis of this information. The EI shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of any of its publications.
EI Microbiology Committee - May 2011 Copyright 2011 by the Energy Institute a professional membership body incorporated by Royal Charter 2003 Registered charity number 1097899.
www.energyinst.org