Bacteria in biodiesel tanks causing engine damage in the UK
Diesel fuel in Britain is now required to be blended with 2.5 percent biodiesel. Unfortunately it is already starting to cause problems for drivers. Bacteria that feeds on the biofuel component of the fuel is causing clumps to form in the fuel. The clumps are causing damage to engines by blocking filters in the fuel system. Starving the fuel pump and injectors in diesel engine can cause damage that is expensive to repair. The problem is that if fuel storage tanks aren't thoroughly cleaned out periodically by station owners, bacteria can breed in water that collects in the tanks.
In order to address the problem, station owners will have to to get into a regular maintenance routine of thoroughly cleaning out the storage tanks to eliminate the bacterial growth. The Petrol Retailers Association has issued guidelines for operators that include testing the tanks for excess water. This problem will have to be addressed aggressively because the biofuel requirement is set to increase to 5 percent in 2010.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 11:13AM (5/16/2008)
The problem of biological contamination of biodiesel has been known for some time, one reason why B100 is a bad idea.
However, this is the first I've heard of bacteria in a B2.5 or B5 blend. Those must be some hardy critters!
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Clayton 11:36AM (5/16/2008)
I think this story is misleading. For one, the source doesn't even seem to know what it's talking about, calling biodiesel "biofuel" as if it always means the same thing. Second, the source doesn't cite any real data attributing the problems to biodiesel blend. Third, I've never seen any information saying that bacteria can grow in low biodiesel blends. It's typically only a problem seen in B100 (and I've never heard of that being a real problem except in tropical climates).
Finally, since when does clogging a fuel filter cause serious damage? The story mentions that it "can" cause damage, but that doesn't mean it "does".
I personally don't buy it, but that's just my 2¢.
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Pablo 2:00PM (5/16/2008)
How is this new, or specific to biodiesel? As a long-time diesel owner, I've had to deal with bacteria and fungus growing in diesel fuel as long as I can remember. That's why there are dozens of diesel fuel biocide products out there to address the problem.
Here is one of the more common products that has been sold for use with petroleum-based diesel, LONG before biodiesel mandates went into effect:
http://www.powerservice.com/bk/
"Bio Kleen® Diesel Fuel Biocide
Microbes in the form of bacteria and fungus are present in all diesel fuels. Long periods of fuel storage can create ideal opportunities for microbes to grow in fuel tanks. The first indication of microbial contamination is mucous-like accumulations on fuel-filters and increased requirements for fuel-filter replacement. Microbes can only be removed from the fuel system by use of a diesel fuel biocide. "
Sounds like somebody is trying to pull autobloggreen's leg.
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kballs 6:19PM (5/16/2008)
Yeah this is definitely FUD, as petrodiesel has always had this problem (bacteria, fungus, and algae). Same thing goes for gelling in cold weather. Petrodiesel, AKA diesel no 2, gels in cold weather, so winter petrodiesel is mixed with kerosene, AKA diesel no 1, to prevent gelling by thinning out the fuel. B100 can be mixed with ethanol or methanol for the same anti-gelling effect.
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Chris M 8:17PM (5/16/2008)
The problem is moisture. Get rid of any moisture in the fuel, and there will be no microbial growth. Unfortunately, the standard biodiesel making process does use water, getting the final product water free is a problem.
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Graham Hill 7:58AM (7/21/2008)
Came across this article and would wholeheartedly give it my support. The author is entirely technically correct to refer to the "biofuel component" in the fuel being attacked by microbes and, as others have stated, this includes bacteria and fungi (but NOT algae). Problems of microbial contamination in aviation, automotive and marine fuels have been around for over 50 years, long before the advent of biodiesel. But the characteristics of biodiesel make it particularly susceptible to microbial attack. The resultant formation of sludges (biomass) which clog filters and cause fuel starvation issues can be relatively rapid (weeks or months). This is well documented in scientific and technical literature. A number of technical institutes are funding research to investigate the precise influence of biodiesel blend ratios but field and anecdotal evidence suggests that biodiesel blends of B2.5 and B5 are MORE susceptible to microbial growth than B100, possibly on account of the behaviour of water which comes into contact with the fuel. Microbes need free water and because B100 is highly hygroscopic it more readily absorbs free water, making it less available for microbial growth. The problem is not insurmountable. Moisture control is key and there may be a role for judicious use of appropriate biocides but only with due regard to their environmental impact. Biocides can not resolve an existing heavy contamination and biocides alone will not resolve this problem. Moisture control, good maintance practice of infrastructure, cleanliness monitoring and, where things get ot control, biocide treatment can all play a part. If anyone is intereted there are numerous technical publications on this subject which can be downloaded at our website www.echamicrobiology.co.uk.
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