New detection technology shortens microorganism verification and remediation from weeks to minutes
In the last year, the United States has experienced skyrocketing fuel costs at the pump for both gasoline and diesel fuels. Historically, diesel fuel was always the less expensive of the two petroleum-based fuels. But in recent months diesel fuel has become more expensive than gasoline, increasing fuel costs for many industries that rely on the middle distillate for power generation and transportation. This increase in fuel cost may very well push the industry to increase its use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends. That biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable is beneficial to the industry and end user. However, that biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable is the problem for the industry and the end user. Therein lies the dilemma.
HY-LiTE® allows users to detect microbial contamination in fuel or water samples in less than 10 minutes.
With the increased use of biodiesel fuels, it is inevitable that the industry that relies on this fuel for energy may experience an increase in filter plugging, operational issues, and maintenance costs, not directly from the fuel but indirectly from the microorganisms like bacteria, yeast and mold that use the fuel as a food source.
Like its cousin petroleum diesel, biodiesel is utilized as a food source by microorganisms, but it is also a much more favorable food source. This means that in a relatively shorter period of time, microorganisms living in the water phase of the fuel system will convert biodiesel fuel into a food source from which they will multiply and grow. Generally, end users of diesel fuel know it is very difficult to quantify the level of microbial problems in fuel without direct testing.
As a result, remediating the fuel to eliminate the microbial contamination occurs only after they start experiencing the secondary effects or symptoms, such as increased filter plugging, operational problems, and unexplained increases in maintenance costs. But by then it’s too late. Traditionally, the detection and remediation of microbially contaminated fuel is equipment intensive and a lengthy process. But, with the recent advances in technology, what used to require a week or longer can now be completed in a fraction of the time using faster detection methods and more cost-effective fuel microbicides.
Historically, the process of detecting microorganisms in a fuel system requires a water sample and a nutrient or growth media generally found in a petri dish or dip slide. With some training and additional equipment such as an incubator, the user would obtain a sample of water from the suspected fuel tank, inoculate (contaminate) the growth plate or dip slide, and then place the sample in the incubator to coax or grow the microorganism into a visible colony for counting. Detecting bacteria can take up to 4 days with an additional 3 to 4 days to grow yeast and mold. This is because not all microorganisms grow at the same rate, and approximately a billion cells are needed in a colony for it to be seen by the unaided eye. Once the fuel system is verified contaminated, it could then take an additional 3 to 7 days to remediate or eliminate the microorganisms from the fuel system.
Using today’s detection technology, verifying the presence of microorganisms takes less than 10 minutes, does not require additional equipment, and can be done using a water or fuel sample. For example, utilizing a chemical process known as bioluminescence, rapid adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis can determine the presence of microorganisms in a fuel or water sample on a real-time basis. Detection is based on identifying a specific biological marker called ATP. One company in particular, Merck KGaA headquartered in Darmstadt Germany, has developed such an instrument known as the HY-LiTE®, which allows the user to detect microbial contamination in fuel or water samples in less than 10 minutes.
The Kathon® FP1.5 fuel microbicide is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
Now that the presence of microorganisms can be determined rapidly, how can these microorganisms be eliminated cost effectively and quickly in order to reduce filter plugging, operational issues and maintenance costs? Elimination or remediation of a fuel system is accomplished with the use of a special class of chemical products known as fuel microbicides. A fuel microbicide is a sub-class chemical from the group called pesticides. Using a fuel microbicide to remediate a contaminated fuel system is similar to using an antibiotic to eliminate an infection. Due to the chemical nature of a pesticide, these products are regulated and controlled by the Environmental Regulatory Agency (EPA).
Because a number of fuel microbicides are available for sale on the market, the end user is left with the mind-numbing task of selecting the correct one. The first challenge is finding a fuel microbicide that is properly registered for sale with the EPA and state regulators; many are not. The next set of challenges includes finding a fuel microbicide that is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, is effective over a broad pH range for the water found in the fuel system, and is cost effective and efficacious in small doses. One such product that meets these criteria and has continuously proven itself in a variety of industries that rely on fuels is Kathon® FP1.5, which is manufactured by Rohm and Haas (Philadelphia, Pa). Kathon® FP1.5 has been on the market since 1985, and its active ingredients are used in a variety of equivalent biocides marketed globally by Rohm and Haas.
As time progresses, everyone will eventually conclude that an effective detection and remediation program offers the most cost effective way to ensure the most optimal and complete use of fuels. And with better detection and remediation technologies, the cost of a detection and remediation program can be a fraction of the overall expense for new fuel.
Both the HY-LiTE® fuel test and Kathon® FP1.5 are marketed and distributed domestically and internationally by Fuel Quality Services, Inc. (Flowery Branch, Ga).
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