The use of hydrocarbon fuels is increasing daily. As a major source of energy for engines, fuel quality has a significant impact on power output. Middle distillates such as diesel fuel or aviation fuel can sometimes become contaminated either during transport or storage.
The fuel tank can also contain water that gets in and creates an environment for microbial growth. Regular drivers and mechanics know how much risk using contaminated fuel can cause. Engine failure and fuel pump failure are very costly to fix.
Having a fuel test kit handy to check the fuel quality anytime anywhere can save you from expensive repairs. Fuel testing kits can also be used in fuel depots and not only for individual use. Constant checks on fuel quality in storage or after transport can reduce costly microbial contamination problems that can lead to damage.
Test kits such as those from Fuel Stat come in various types and can be used for purposes such as determining water levels in diesel fuels.
Using a Test Kit
The diesel fuel test will simply look for any contamination through chemical processes in the fuel sample. Samples can be taken directly from the fuel tank or from the storage depot. Using a test bottle and indicators present in the fuel test kit, the results will show the percentage of contamination in parts per million within the fuel.
Fill the bottle in the kit with the fuel sample. Then insert the chemical testing agent into the fuel sample. Shake the mixture well and let it rest for a few minutes. Inspect the indicator for any changes. It is a simple pass-or-fail test.
The algae test will show spots after 24 to 36 hours of exposure on the test indicator proving there is microbiological contamination in the fuel or the fuel tank.
Water can be tested with the powder in the water test kit. The powder will turn pink if water is detected in the fuel. This will only take a few seconds. The presence of water in the fuel can damage the engine and a lot of water can be very disastrous. 200 to 500 parts per million will show small pink spots. Any amount above 600 parts per million will show a hot pink color and the fuel has failed the test.
Keeping the fuel system clean also means the engine runs smoothly. Jet fuel is very flammable and a major safety concern for air travel. Random samples of fuel are taken from the fuel to ensure that they are safe to use. Diesel bugs can sometimes be caught in the fuel/water separator and cause blockages, leading to algae growth and blocking the filter.
Having time to conduct fuel treatment is a good way of keeping the system clean and free of contamination.
Fuel gets contaminated and infected over time and checking the tanks and storage facilities every few months can prevent disasters from occurring. Machines that are not used regularly are mostly affected by contamination as there is no movement in the fuel. Checking the containers for leaks that can allow water in is a good measure of preventing water from contaminating the fuel.
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