Diesel contamination is inevitable in the biodiesel blends the world has started to use. If left untreated, contamination will cause problems for diesel-powered generators, vehicles and equipment.
Our short video explains why fuel becomes contaminated and what can happen if the issue is ignored.
The diesel we buy in Europe is a blend of 93% petrochemical diesel and 7% biodiesel. Biodiesel – or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) to give it its technical name – has been added to petrochemical diesel since 2011. This biodiesel blend contains less sulphur than pure petrochemical diesel and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 50%. However, the presence of biological organisms in diesel provides the ideal environment for contamination to occur.
Contamination never used to be a serious problem. But since diesel was quietly blended with the biodiesel known as FAME, it has become an issue.
As it gets older diesel suffers from 3 main types of contamination:
Modern engines are incredibly sensitive to fuel contaminants. Engine filters can block and fuel injectors can suffer damage, resulting in total engine failure. This can have huge implications if the engine drives a generator providing emergency power to a hospital, data centre or bank.
Standby generators are a building’s last resort if mains power fails. They have to be 100% reliable. No backup strategy can accept the possibility of contaminated fuel derailing the power supply.
The key to keeping your diesel clean and dry is a comprehensive fuel conditioning programme. This should include four steps:
IPU’s Fuel Conditioning Programme contains 4 stages: Testing, Cleaning, Polishing and Stabilisation.
But rather than go to 4 or 5 different suppliers for these services IPU is a one-stop shop for fuel conditioning. We can provide you with a complete 4-step programme. Our short video explains the four stages of the programme and how that can keep your diesel clean and dry.
IPU’s DieselCheck fuel tests alert you to contamination caused by tainted deliveries or tank breaches.
A DieselCheck fuel test highlights the types and levels of contamination in your fuel. We then provide you with a simple report to explain what we found and importantly, how to treat it.
IPU’s ClearTank cleaning service is a one-time process that prepares your fuel for long-term conditioning.
Cleaning is an important step that needs to take place before fuel polishing – just like you wouldn’t polish a dirty car. IPU’s ClearTank service simultaneously cleans both the fuel and the tank, leaving your fuel clean and dry.
Unfortunately, clean fuel doesn’t stay clean for long. IPU’s Diesel Defence on-tank and mobile polishing units maintain fuel to EN590 and ISO 4406 standards, ensuring it’s ready to power your critical applications.
IPU’s ADV Regulator neutralises the tiny molecules of water and contaminants that are too small to be removed mechanically during cleaning and polishing. This helps to starve bacteria of the ingredients they need to grow, saving money in the long term on regular filter replacements.
A storage tank’s breather vent is its weakest link. It is the easiest route for moisture the reach your diesel. At night, the air at the top of the tank cools and contracts. Fresh air is drawn into the tank through the breather. This new air brings moisture with it. Some of the moisture is absorbed into your diesel. After some of the air is expelled in the heat of the next day, the process repeats itself the following night.
IPU’s vent traps prevent moisture entering through the breather vents. Moisture is captured by the filter during the tank’s inhale cycle. During the exhale cycle moisture is purged from the filter back into the atmosphere. It is a self-maintaining system.
Every engine has a fuel filter to remove contaminants. The filter is the last line of defence before diesel enters the combustion chamber. It removes fine particulates and some water.
But normal fuel filters have a limitation. They are not designed to remove massive quantities of diesel contamination. They clog in particularly harsh environments. Replacing filter elements is expensive, disruptive and time-consuming.
IPU’s Fuel Purifiner is your first line of defence for engines working in harsh environments. Engines in mines, quarries or on ships benefit from the Purifiner’s ability to remove heavy particulate and water contamination.
Parker Racor fuel filters are the gold-standard for on-application diesel filtration. IPU have been Racor distributors for over 30 years and can offer an unrivalled combination of expert service, competitive pricing and value-added services.