Dieselbakterier - Ett växande problem

Abstract

The Problems regarding bacteria and other microbe that grow out of control in diesel tanks has been known for a long time. The consequences have range from fouling of filter and fuel gauge malfunctions to engine malfunction and aggravated corrosion of engines, fuel tanks and equipment. The idée for this paper is from the authors own experience regarding microbial growth in storage tanks on the vessel were he works. The purpose with this studie is to increase the understanding of the formation of bacteria and other microbes in the the tanks, also methods that can minimize bacterial growth and the problems that follows in terms of were, break down of machinery and equipment. Focus has been on literature studies but there has been made case studies and interviews to get a more complete view of the problem. The results show that microbs are depending of water and suitable temperature for them to grow. Water will always be enough of, either dissolved in the diesel or as free water on the bottom of the tanks. Some scientists say that no microbe survive when the diesel is heated to 65 Celsius. The problem is that there are microbes that live in extreme environments and can survive temperatures over 100 Celsius. The choice of methods for cleaning the tanks are depending on how big the problems are. It reveals that truck tanks hardly ever needs to be cleaned but tanks on ships needs to be cleaned at least once a year. To prevent growth and proliferation of microbes one should know the life conditions of the microbes and change this conditions and by doing so prevent growth.