Using biocides to tackle microbial growth in biofuel blends

摘要

Mineral diesel fuel may contain a small proportion of water, some of which is dissolved within the fuel itself and the rest settling to the bottom of storage tanks where it can act as a biosphere for various micro-organisms. These microorganisms and the microbial products of decomposition form an emulsion of water and fuel, making the separation of water from the system very difficult. These microbes can lead to a number of operational problems, including the fouling of tanks, pipes and filters and leading to tank corrosion.