MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION

Posted by : Unknown Monday, August 12, 2013

Microbial fuel contamination is organic debris generated by microscopic fungi, bacteria, and protozoa - commonly called "bugs". The microbes come from contaminated fuel supplies, through tank vents, and from seawater ballast.

Once in a tank, the microbes tend to settle on tank surfaces and at the interface between the fuel and any water that might be present at the tank's bottom. The microbes can thrive in the presence of free water (a distinct water layer). Warm

temperatures aid their proliferation.

Microbial debris forms a slimy or stringy sludge, and mats of organic material can form at the fuel/water interface. The color of the material is generally black, brown or dark olive. It often has a foul or rotten egg odor. Agitation of the tanks - underway in rough weather, or the addition of fresh fuel - can resuspend the microbial debris into the overlaying fuel.

Microbial contamination suspended in the fuel can quickly clog filters. The best way to prevent microbial problems is to keep free water from accumulating at the tank bottoms.

Biocides are another means of preventing microbial contamination. However, there are a number of problems associated with biocides.

BIOCIDES

Biocides are commercially available additive packages that are toxic to microorganisms. The best biocides are soluble in fuel but can also partition into any free water that may be present in the tank. Biocides prevent microbial growth but will not reduce the amount of microbial particulates already formed in the fuel.

CONCERNS WITH BIOCIDES

The use of any fuel additive increases the chances of incompatibility between fuel stocks. When two incompatible fuel stocks are intermixed, they form filter clogging particulates. Incompatibility between distillate fuels is rare, and impossible to predict when it will occur, but this concern is why the some companies prohibit the use of any shipboard fuel additives.
Many commercial suppliers use some kind of fuel additive in their storage facilities. Not all additives are compatible and the use of a shipboard additive package introduces a chance of additive incompatibility.
Biocide effectiveness is problematic. Unless they are injected with a special metering device into the oncoming fuel stream, ensuring proper mixing and dosages is difficult.
In undiluted form, all these additive packages are hazardous, requiring special usage, storage, and disposal precautions. The most effective biocides are, by their very nature, the most toxic.
Since biocides migrate into the water layer, deballasting becomes an environmental concern.
Several fuel additives were approved for use in the past. However, due to toxicity and compatibility concerns, Biobor JF and Nalfleet 9-303 are the only fuel additives currently approved for use by USCG. Biobor is manufactured by The Hammonds Companies, 1-800-548-9166. Suppliers for Nalfleet 9-303 can be found on http://www.nalfleet.co.uk/stock-docs/
Compatibility between Biobor JF and Nalfleet 9-303 was specifically investigated by the Naval Research Laboratory. The two products are fully compatible and can be used interchangeably -

ALTERNATIVES TO BIOCIDES

Biocides are not necessary if two important actions are taken:

First, periodically test for free water using bottom soundings and water indicating paste. To the best of your ability, strip off any free water that is present.
Second, rotate your fuel stocks. If the fuel is burned before the microbes have a chance to proliferate, a microbial problem can't develop. Leaving fuel just sitting in tanks is asking for problems.