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Fuel Test and Filtering Service
CommTank is now offering fuel testing and fuel filtering
services. Fuel analysis has become a very important part of all
maintenance and purchasing functions. The cost of diesel fuel, although
expensive, is small when compared to the problems that may develop
without the proper purchase specifications, verification of those
specifications, handling, storage, and distribution. Fuel filtering
can provide a cost effective alternative to disposing of contaminated
fuel.
Why test your fuel?
Periodic sampling and inspection of stored fuel will reveal several
important quality parameters that if gone undetected may cause unnecessary
problems in the operation of the diesel generator. Diesel fuel is
usually amber or light brown in color, depending on the crude oil
and the refinery process used to produce it. Red dye is added to
heating oil to change the fuel color for tax identification purposes.
Stored fuel will darken due to oxidation of certain components and
can be accompanied by the formation of sediment.
Diesel fuel can also become contaminated with microorganisms such
as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mold. These microorganisms thrive
in water that is formed by condensation. Condensation is created
as a tank breathes through the vent pipe. Cooler temperatures cause
the tank to shrink and warm temperatures cause it to expand. During
this expansion and contraction, the air passing through the tank
will condense, and form water. The water, in addition to the nutrients
found in fuel oil, provide an excellent environment for bacteria
growth.
Why filter your fuel?
Fuel suppliers recommend that diesel fuel stored for emergency use
should be replaced with new fuel if not used within a year. Disposing
of old fuel, cleaning the tank, and purchasing new fuel is an expensive
process that is practiced by many large institutions. As an alternative
to disposing and purchasing new fuel, we can test your fuel to verify
compliance with ASTM standards as specified by the original supplier.
If the fuel testing determines that the fuel is contaminated, we
provide a filtration service to remove all the microorganisms and
the water that supported the growth. Once the fuel has been filtered,
we recommend re-testing the fuel to verify that it meets the ASTM D975 - 10 specifications.
Call us if you’d like more information on our fuel testing
and filtration services at 1-800-628-8260.
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