Letter to the Editor
April Edition FON
Re: Fuel QualityWhat happens during
storage of fuels?
I read Bob Tatnall's article regarding fuel quality in your April edition
with great interest. Unfortunately,
Bob misses the real issues affecting
fuel quality that lead to service problems. Bob is somehow convinced that
sludge is caused by bacteria and microbiologically influenced corrosion. No
disrespect intended, but this assumption does not fit the facts when it comes
to residential fuel issues.
As virtually all petroleum researchers agree- the sludge experienced by
residential service techs is quite different
and is the result of a number of factors.
Primary contributors to residential fuel
fouling are re-polymerized hydrocarbon molecules, sediments, gums and
other impurities precipitating from
unstable fuels over extended periods;
as well as the effects of condensation,
acids and corrosive debris from storage
tanks and distribution system parts. If
uncontrolled, these contaminants accumulate in the tank, eventually plugging
fuel filtration devices. The result is poor
burner performance and/or shut-down
resulting in unscheduled service calls
and unnecessary expense.
Do bacteria and bio-corrosion exist
in fuel systems? Of course. However
they are fringe issues compared to
dominant fuel problems.
Based on fuel samples submitted
to petroleum laboratories for analysis, 94% of all operating problems are
related to fuel stability (re-polymerized
and oxidized fuels), with only 6% testing positive for the presence of microbes
(combined bacteria, fungi and algae).
So again, the underlying issues relating
to residential fuel quality have little to
do with bacteria and MIC.
Bud McClintock
ADT Fuel Additives
(888) 584-2422
www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | JUNE 2013
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