RUG as a biocide? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 05-28-2007, 09:55 PM

I've read of folks cutting WVO with RUG. Will a quart or two of RUG help clear algae in pump Diesel? Directly into the fuel tank, I mean.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

TMAllison · #2 05-28-2007, 10:03 PM

Dont know about rug, but know Bio will the job. There is a pump in So. SJ at Pacific Pride/Western States Oil in case you dont know of one closer to you.

pmari · #3 05-28-2007, 10:33 PM

Hydrocarbon Utilizing Microorganisms (HUM bugs) will live at the water fuel interface, be it RUG or Bio-D. You have to use a biocide to kill the bugs , then remove the water. If you got bugs, you got water.

http://www.fuelright.com/results.html

sixto · #4 05-28-2007, 10:43 PM

That's another curiosity - isn't the fuel outlet right at the bottom of the tank? Wouldn't water be first out of the tank? The living flotsam is in the fuel lines

Thanks, Terry, I've heard of the bio station. I'm not sure I want to risk rubber hoses and seals just yet.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

pmari · #5 05-28-2007, 11:06 PM

I've been told the fuel pick up is an inch give or take from the boton of the tank. But yes your right, in bad cases of infestation the entire fuel system can get crapped up. Not to mention getting a slug or 2 of water in the IP

The way most microrganisms survive (this is true of water systems also) is to create a biofilm. Basically they (the bugs) excreate a polysaccaride slime (think mucopolysaccaride...snot) and live (colonise) within this slime. Usually it adhears to the tank or pipes and every so often, clumps of the slime mat will break away and drft around to find another place to colonise.

TMAllison · #6 05-28-2007, 11:22 PM

A tank or two is not going to kill the rubber in your fuel system unless it is aready on its last legs and leaking/weeping now which I doubt that is the case knowing what you've done to yours in the last 6 months.

Could half fill so would be B50 or lessor blend too if that were an issue. I've burned tanks of B20 in my '85 with 300K with no problems whatsoever.

Doesnt look like they tested Bio in the linked website? Rather competitor products....guess what, theirs got good marks. Imagine that.

Most folks here believe Bio is very effective loosening sludge and killing algae; to the extent you ought to carry an extra filter if buring in a known contaminated fuel system.

pmari · #7 05-28-2007, 11:36 PM

Bio-Diesel is a hydrocarbon based fuel. It can be invaded by Hydrocarbon Utilizing Microoranisms (do a google search if you don't believe me).

But yes Bio-diesel is great solvent and will dissolve old tank deposits from petro-diesel use (especially in older cars). Most people who plug filters from running percentages greater than B20 are cleaning out diesel deposits NOT HUM bugs. You will pug filters just running petro diesel if you got bugs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Most folks here believe Bio is very effective loosening sludge and killing algae; to the extent you ought to carry an extra filter if buring in a known contaminated fuel system.

pmari · #8 05-28-2007, 11:45 PM

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Controlling microbial contamination in B100
How bacteria creates a fuel-quality challenge
Source: U.S. Department of Energy,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines (Page 25)

“If biological contamination is a problem, water contamination needs to be controlled since the aerobic fungus, bacteria, and yeast hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms ( HUMBUGS) usually grow at the fuel-water interface. Anaerobic colonies, usually sulfur reducing, can be active in sediments on tank surfaces and cause corrosion.”
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/tp36182.pdf

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Preventing fuel filters burst by B100 and sediments
Why sediments in tanks pose a marketing problem
Source: U.S. Department of Energy,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines (Page 25)

“Methyl esters have been used as low VOC (volatile organic compound) cleaners and solvents for decades. Methyl esters make an excellent parts cleaner, and several companies are offering methyl esters as a low VOC, non-toxic replacement for the volatile solvents used in parts washers. B100, being comprised of methyl esters meeting ASTM D6751, has a tendency to dissolve the accumulated sediments in diesel storage and engine fuel tanks. These dissolved sediments can plug fuel filters and in some cases cause the fuel filters to burst, sending all the sediment through the fuel injection system. If this happens, it can cause injector deposits and even fuel injector failure. If you plan to use or store B100 for the first time, clean the tanks and anywhere in the fuel system where sediments or deposits may occur before filling with B100.”
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/tp36182.pdf

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Avoiding plugged filters with B20 storage
How to plan properly for the side effects of a tank conversion to biodiesel
Source: U.S. Department of Energy,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines (Page 43)

“Blends of 20% biodiesel or less minimize any cleaning effect or solvency issues with accumulated sediments in tanks, although minor filter plugging may be observed during the initial weeks of B20 use in some cases. Blends above 20% should always be stored in clean, dry tanks as recommended for conventional diesel fuel. Using B20 for a year or more will probably not ‘clean’ your tanks and is not a substitute for a thorough tank cleaning when preparing for higher level blends or B100 storage." http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/tp36182.pdf

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Avoiding water-induced biodegradation of fuel
How to keep your tank system free from moisture
Source: Steel Tank Institute
“Keeping Water out of Your Storage System”

“From the removal of lead and MTBE, to additives such as ethanol and biodiesel, product chemistry has undergone fairly recent change. These new fuels are more susceptible to moisture accumulation, separation and potential biodegradation accelerated by water. For example, lead was a natural poison to the microbes that could grow in a moist environment - in today's lead-free fuels, microbial growth can more readily occur.”
http://www.steeltank.com/library/pubs/waterinfueltanks.pdf

WD8CDH · #9 05-29-2007, 01:06 PM

In my experience, Startron does the best job of killing "bugs" with the least plugging of filters.