Control of Fuel Microorganisms with Magnetic Devices: Laboratory Investigationwith Hormoconis Resinae

摘要

Automotive diesel fuel inoculated with the fungus, Hormoconis resinae, wascirculated through a magnetic device so as to subject the fungus to the effect of a variable magnetic field. After circulation of the fuel twice per minute for periods of up to five days through the magnetic device, some experiments showed an increase in colony forming units (CFUs) of the fungus, while other showed a decrease. Viable CFUs of the fungus remained after all experiments. Upon the completion of all experiments, the ease of filtration had decreased and the rate of filter blockage increased as determined by fuel filterability measured by the method of IP 387/89. Examination of the filtration test filter media indicated the presence of a grey black material, which probably arose from the magnetic material in the device. This material was most likely responsible for the increase in the rate of filter blockage in the small fuel volume of the experimental system.