Fuel polishing is a process where fuel is cleaned to remove contamination and build up using specific machinery and techniques to ensure the longevity and high performance of both fuel and the machinery that uses the fuel – such as diesel in our backup generators.
Whenever a fuel is stored or transferred, it is subject to contamination.
What is contamination in fuel?
Microbes, sludge, sediment, acid and other contaminants can all build up in your fuel tank in a relatively short timeframe. After only three months, generator fuel can start to degrade, which is why it’s vital to have fuel polishing as part of your regular maintenance program. One of the major and unavoidable sources of contamination is condensation via atmospheric absorption.
Not only does this affect the fuel efficiency but has a detrimental effect on the engine and injectors, requiring more frequent replacement and failure of operation. Diesel engines are particularly susceptible to wear and tear if “dirty” fuel is used
Left untreated, it will lead to tank corrosion and rust, which in turn, further compounds the issue and perpetuates the cycle and even with a fuel filter, you may be at risk of the engine shutting down if the fuel is not clean enough.
The fuel polishing process
Fuel polishing should be a key consideration to maintain your backup power generator.
The process is similar to a sophisticated level of filtration, where the fuel is passed through custom designed systems and technologies to remove even the finest of contaminants (wet and solid).
This is a multi stage process, each stage vital to the hyper filtration of the fuel, with a specific order of filtration (for example, solid matter first, followed by wet matter, followed by water condensation and so forth). Depending on the generator type and capacity.
Benefits of fuel polishing
Having a backup generator is futile if it is not able to start when it’s most needed.
The most crucial benefit of this essential process is that your generator will be in working order during blackouts and brownouts.
Additionally, it
- makes your machine more reliable
- removes impurities throughout the fuel and the back up power system
- is better for the environment due to the increase fuel economy and cleaner exhaust
- adds to a longer lifespan of the engine/s and parts of your generator
- keeps long term costs low
- improves productivity and efficiency of the fuel
- much more cost effective than having to replace the fuel tank in its entirety
- keeps filters free of debris.
Preventative maintenance is always a good idea when it comes to vital operational facets of your business or organisation, such as backup generators.
If you want to learn more, or maintain your backup power generator, contact us to find out more about fuel polishing your existing generators or the maintenance plans we provide for new systems.
