This document discusses fuel contamination issues caused by increasing biodiesel content in diesel fuels. Biodiesel is more hygroscopic and decays faster than conventional diesel, increasing risks of water accumulation, microbial growth, and other contaminants. Strict fuel housekeeping practices like regular polishing are recommended to remove contaminants and maintain fuel quality for backup generators. Fuel polishing systems automatically filter and clean stored fuel, helping to prevent generator failures during emergencies. WASP is a leading UK manufacturer of fuel polishing equipment with over 20 years of experience designing systems to maximize fuel quality and protection.

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Louisa Whorrod Marketing Co-ordinator WASP PFS Ltd

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Content
• The changing specification of fuel............P3
• The problems with bio-diesel………...….....P4-5
• What is contaminated fuel?.....................P6-8
• How does this affect me? ………………….....P9-10
• How to avoid contaminated fuel…………….P11
• The solution to good fuel housekeeping…P12-13
• Fuel polishing as a solution………………..…..P14-16
• About WASP…………………………………………..P17

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The production of diesel fuels containing FAME (biodiesel) is increasing in Europe as
a consequence of the following EU Directives:
2003/30/EC (Biofuels)
2009/28/EC (Renewable Energy Directive)
2009/30/EC (Fuel Quality Directive)
The new specification (Introduced Jan 1st 2011)
EN590 Specification
• Diesel, derv (white diesel) MDO, red diesel, gas oil, fuel oil; all middle distillate
derivatives
• Biodiesel/FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) content
• 7% FAME blend is not in all fuels, but...
• Fuel manufacturers/importers have informed us they only want to sell one
blend, so 7% has to be the assumption
• Low sulphur content (10ppm)
• Aim: to approach becoming carbon neutral

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Although the EU aims for more sustainable fuel, the
chemical composition of biodiesel causes a number
of fuel quality issues, including poor fuel
stability, microbiological contamination and an
acceleration of fuel decay.
In particular, the hygroscopic nature of bio-diesel significantly
increases the saturation level, meaning the water content in
fuel is well above the maximum specified level. This causes
many concerns, which worsen if the fuel tank is outside or
not in a temperature controlled environment. Water in fuel is
at the root of microbial growth, waxing, sludge, bacterial
infections, sediments and other foreign matter.

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A little bit more about Bio-Diesel
• Biodiesel blends reduce a fuel’s carbon footprint
• Biodiesel in EN590 can be made from any source (no
effective regulation)
• Infected fuel can have significantly higher acidity levels
• Poor oxidisation stability compared to mineral fuels
• Higher viscosity and density than mineral fuels
• Lower energy content than mineral fuels
• Compatibility issues with some metals, plastics and rubbers
Fuel without biodiesel naturally decays, and could be out of specification after 6-12
months. However, bio-diesel causes fuel to decay much faster than natural fuel (with
pure biodiesel decaying after a few weeks). It is therefore recommended blended fuels
are only stored for up to 6 months to reduce contaminations.

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Typical contaminations
• Water
• Microbial growth
• Waxing
• Bacterial infection
• Sediment
Water in fuel
• Free water (water separated from fuel)
• Emulsified water (fuel looks cloudy)

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Water in fuel is at the root of
microbial
growth, waxing, sludge, bacterial
infections, sediments and other
foreign matter. These microbial
contaminations can lead to
corrosion of pipe work, cause
fuel blockages and cause damage
to the tanks and the engine’s
injectors.
Furthermore the lack of lubricant in biodiesel
decreases the engines efficiency. This increases
the temperature, causing component
wear, wasting electricity and potentially good
quality fuel as well as leading to back-up
generator when it’s running during an emergency
situation.

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Fuel
Biomass
Water
Waxy deposits
Contaminated fuel taken from a back-up generator

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Contaminated fuel
• Unusable in some cases
• Potential to stop, damage or destroy
engines/generators
• Costly disposal
• Massive carbon impact in disposal
• Cost of replacement fuel
• Health and safety risk
• Your business continuity plan is in danger

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“The increased use of FAME introduces new challenges.”.. “and requires
strict application of good housekeeping practices throughout…”
+ Source: CONCAWE Report 9/09
“Proper control of water and sediments is therefore essential
for preventing microbiological problems. This can be achieved by a
combination of periodic sampling and testing of storage tanks and
immediate removal of any water or sediment that is present.”
+ Source: CONCAWE Report 9/09
Fuel Quality and Emissions Management Group
“Establish a system for filtering the contents of the main storage
tank through a re-circulating filter system. ”
+ Source: Long Term Diesel Storage. B.P. Australia
A.C.N. 004 085 616, ADF1402

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To prevent fuel contamination occurring, WASP PFS Ltd and the CONCAWE group
suggests applying strict ‘good fuel housekeeping’ practices to ensure these challenges
are controlled and prevented.
These practices include purchasing good quality fuel, using a fuel polishing process
and testing the fuel every 6 months.
Furthermore, using a fuel polishing process (below) can prolong the usable life of fuel.

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The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of fuel housekeeping
And of course, do not worry; help is at hand.
Do Don't
Ensure regular fuel polishing Ignore the problem
Test/sample your fuel every few months Wait until you have an issue
Integrate to your BMS (data is valuable) Use biocides without taking advise
Audit your fuel supplier Assume you do not have biodiesel
Ensure your engines are biodiesel ready Assume your in line filters will cope
Read CONCAWE and similar information Ignore a fuel’s shelf life
Speak to experts in the field Assume a generator test is a fuel test

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Fuel Polishing
• Automated ‘good fuel housekeeping’
• Self pumping, self monitoring
• Recirculation of fuel in storage tank
sometimes referred to as ‘kidney loop’ or ‘dialysis’
• Removal of free and emulsified water
• Particulate removal to 2 micron absolute
Absolute filtration (100% of particulate) is finer
than nominal filtration (over 50% of particulate)
• Multiple stage filtration system
• Integrate into building management system
For feedback and cost saving measurements
Fuel polishing is the innovative technological cleaning process used to remove
water, bacterial infection, sludge, and solid and semi-solid contaminates from diesel and
similar middle distillate fuels (gas and fuel oil, MDO etc).

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By polishing fuel every 2-4 weeks
• Any water ingress is quickly found and removed
• Any bacterial infection is removed
• No build up of water, sludge or biomass
• Removes of any potential requirement for additives
• Removes chemical handling, H&S and REACH requirements
• Maintains fuel in optimum condition and quality
By preserving fuel quality
• Massive potential saving in both carbon
and monetary terms
• No costs for disposal of old fuel
• No costs for new fuel

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Severe Weather
Brown Outs
Network Failures
Power Cuts
Power Shortage
Blackouts
Maintenance Issues
Think…
The design of the fuel polishing system
aims to maintain optimum fuel quality in
diesel which is stored for the medium to
long term, preventing the fuel from
causing back-up generator failures during
an emergency situation.
With reports about the 4% slack in
the system causing unplanned
blackouts and power cuts, it is
essential for organisations to start
thinking about ensuring their
generator is supported.

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Why is this the solution?
• Reduces the risk of losing power during a crisis
• Improve continuity, efficiency and resilience of your generator
• Limits costs of exposure to fuel replacement
• Avoids costs of disposing of fuel
• Avoids losing ability to trade
• Improves the reputation of the company
• Reduces your carbon footprint
• Saves money

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• UK designers and manufacturers of fuel filtration equipment
• Based in Hertfordshire, UK
• The leading company in the market
• Heritage, expertise and experience
• 5 product launches in 2 years
• Systems all over the world
• Customers including generator suppliers, engineering
consultancies, data centres, the military, etc.
With 21 years of experience and expertise, WASP’s systems are designed using the
latest unrivalled technologies, unique control systems and advanced sensing systems
to ensure simplicity and efficiency as well as maximum protection against fuel-
related breakdowns.

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@WASP_PFS
www.wasp-pfs.com
sales@wasp-pfs.com
marketing@wasp-pfs.com
www.wasp-pfs.com/about/training
T: +44(0)1923 606 600

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