THE performance and quality of diesel in equipment and storage tanks can be compromised through contamination caused by water and microbes that degrade the fuel.
These microbes – bacteria, yeast and fungi, the most dangerous of which is Hormoconis resinae, commonly referred to as the “Diesel Bug” – work together as a consortium and will eventually result in compounded contamination throughout tanks and entire fuel delivery systems.
“Fuel is the largest single expense faced by equipment and vehicle operators,” says Kelvin Hieatt, managing director of Fuel Test NZ Ltd. “Assurance of this increasingly expensive consumable is critical to engine performance and reliability, particularly with the latest common rail engines.
“Contaminated fuel causes serious and often costly failures to many components including tanks, fuel lines, pumps and injectors – with engine shutdowns, as a result of blocked filters, often occurring at the most inopportune times.
“Current methods of testing for microbial contamination are slow, taking a minimum of four days,” adds Hieatt. “Accuracy also becomes an issue if samples are not put on test within six to 12 hours of being drawn from the tank.”
Time, convenience and accuracy are the reasons why the Fuelstat Diesel Test Kit was developed. The test is simple to use and requires very little training to operate. Results are obtained and easily interpreted within just ten minutes.
The Diesel Test Kit can be used on site and requires no additional equipment. Developed by Conidia Bioscience in the UK from its hugely successful aviation test, this innovative pregnancy style test is quick and easy to use, offering the ability to test the fuel from any tank or before it is accepted into storage. The Negligible, Moderate or Heavy results enable real time decisions to be made before contamination can cause further damage.
Auckland-based Fuel Test NZ Ltd is looking for distributors to join its network of resellers and Hieatt welcomes your call.
The Fuelstat resinae test is used by more than 300 airlines worldwide to test kerosene (A1 Jet Fuel) for microbial contamination. In response to requests from naval authorities and the maritime industry, Fuelstat has been adapted for use with both marine and land based diesel fuels.
Email: info@fueltest.co.nz